Things to do in Geneva?
Oct 8th, 2003, 09:18 AM
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Things to do in Geneva?
I'll be traveling with my husband who will be on business and need to find some things to do to occupy myself for about 3 days (mid-Oct). I've thought about renting a bike and riding along the lake. Can you suggest any bike rental places?
I also love shopping for decor items- especially flea market or salvage. Is there anything like this in Geneva? I'm buying a rail pass so if there's anything within a couple hours of Geneva I should know about, I'd be open to those suggestions too. I've never been to Europe so it will be all new & exciting for me!
I also love shopping for decor items- especially flea market or salvage. Is there anything like this in Geneva? I'm buying a rail pass so if there's anything within a couple hours of Geneva I should know about, I'd be open to those suggestions too. I've never been to Europe so it will be all new & exciting for me!
Oct 8th, 2003, 01:43 PM
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Here's one:
http://www.geneveroule.ch/location.html
and maybe(?) two others?
http://www.veloloder.com/index.htm
http://www.hotpoint.ch
or at least, http://www.geocities.com/veloptimum/IND4_boutiques.html SAYS that they rent bikes at those two. I had trouble finding any info on either of their websites to confirm that.
And, for what it's worth, this was an interesting exercise in internet searching.
"Bicycle rental Geneva" was getting me nowhere - - nothing coming up about Geneva, SWITZERLAND - - at least not on an American search engine like Yahoo!
So, I went instead to yahoo.fr and searched for "velo location geneve" - - and voila - - instant success.
Best wishes,
Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana
http://www.geneveroule.ch/location.html
and maybe(?) two others?
http://www.veloloder.com/index.htm
http://www.hotpoint.ch
or at least, http://www.geocities.com/veloptimum/IND4_boutiques.html SAYS that they rent bikes at those two. I had trouble finding any info on either of their websites to confirm that.
And, for what it's worth, this was an interesting exercise in internet searching.
"Bicycle rental Geneva" was getting me nowhere - - nothing coming up about Geneva, SWITZERLAND - - at least not on an American search engine like Yahoo!
So, I went instead to yahoo.fr and searched for "velo location geneve" - - and voila - - instant success.
Best wishes,
Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana
Oct 8th, 2003, 02:57 PM
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You can try http://www.rent-a-bike.ch/index.html (click on "Genève"
which is located at the railway station but quite expensive. You'll find an online reservation form on their website.
which is located at the railway station but quite expensive. You'll find an online reservation form on their website.
Oct 8th, 2003, 03:05 PM
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There are loads of interesting towns within an hour of Geneva by train, or by boat at a slower pace. I would recommend a train trip to Vevey and/or Montreau. You could take a boat one way and the train back. Vevey has many great antique shops. From there, take a second train up the mountain to Les Pliedes for a wonderful lake view.
You can rent bikes at most Swiss railway stations. Very simple!
You can rent bikes at most Swiss railway stations. Very simple!
Oct 9th, 2003, 04:09 AM
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Hi sharpeishar
I think you'll really enjoy seeing this part of Switzerland as your first trip to Europe; I think you'll see how easy it is to travel and explore the country.
My response is largely a repeat of the good information from Rex, Mathias, and Grasshopper. I'm a bit slow these days!
Anyway, here's one suggestion for a bike trip: take the train from Geneva to Montreux (about an hour), rent a bike at the Montreux station, and walk down to the lake. At the lake, ride along the 11-km lakeside promenade, enjoying the spectacular views of mountains in the distance and flower beds at your feet. Ride at least to the Chateau du Chillon; stop at a café in Territet and take the ferry back if you want (ferry schedules at www.cgn.ch).
Another good idea for rides is the trails through the vineyards, either between Geneva and Lausanne (La Cote) or between Lausanne and Montreux (Lavaux). Be sure to save some time to visit the wine caves! Information on the Lavaux at www.lavaux.com.
For your hunt for décor items, I suggest you head for Vevey, where I found dozens and dozens (seemed like!) of antiques stores in the old town. As you leave the Vevey train station, follow the crowds and the slope of the land downhill towards the lake. You'll find yourself in the old town before you reach the lake; wander around the narrow streets and you'll find a bunch of shops.
Let me know if I can help further!
s
I think you'll really enjoy seeing this part of Switzerland as your first trip to Europe; I think you'll see how easy it is to travel and explore the country.
My response is largely a repeat of the good information from Rex, Mathias, and Grasshopper. I'm a bit slow these days!
Anyway, here's one suggestion for a bike trip: take the train from Geneva to Montreux (about an hour), rent a bike at the Montreux station, and walk down to the lake. At the lake, ride along the 11-km lakeside promenade, enjoying the spectacular views of mountains in the distance and flower beds at your feet. Ride at least to the Chateau du Chillon; stop at a café in Territet and take the ferry back if you want (ferry schedules at www.cgn.ch).
Another good idea for rides is the trails through the vineyards, either between Geneva and Lausanne (La Cote) or between Lausanne and Montreux (Lavaux). Be sure to save some time to visit the wine caves! Information on the Lavaux at www.lavaux.com.
For your hunt for décor items, I suggest you head for Vevey, where I found dozens and dozens (seemed like!) of antiques stores in the old town. As you leave the Vevey train station, follow the crowds and the slope of the land downhill towards the lake. You'll find yourself in the old town before you reach the lake; wander around the narrow streets and you'll find a bunch of shops.
Let me know if I can help further!
s
Oct 9th, 2003, 06:12 AM
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Bonjour Sharpeishar,
Welcome to Geneva.
Geneva is a rather compact city, with a good public transportation network. For Sfr 5, you can have a daycard and use in all vehicles, included the small boats that cross the lake ("les Mouettes" and the train from the station to the airport.
There are two main areas for the kind of shopping you're looking for: the Old Town and Carouge (tramway 12 from the center, 13 from the Cornavin train station).
There is a flea market every Wednesday and Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm, on Plaine de Plainpalais (bus nr 1, tram 12 and 13).
Two easily reached salvage shops: Caritas, rue de Carouge (trams 12 and 13, stop Augustins) and Salvation army (tram 12 and 16, stop Gare des Eaux-Vives).
Rex has given you the url of the city's latest scheme to encourage people cycling in Geneva: http://www.geneveroule.ch/location.html
http://www.geneve-tourisme.ch/ is Geneva tourist office's site.
Welcome to Geneva.
Geneva is a rather compact city, with a good public transportation network. For Sfr 5, you can have a daycard and use in all vehicles, included the small boats that cross the lake ("les Mouettes"
and the train from the station to the airport. There are two main areas for the kind of shopping you're looking for: the Old Town and Carouge (tramway 12 from the center, 13 from the Cornavin train station).
There is a flea market every Wednesday and Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm, on Plaine de Plainpalais (bus nr 1, tram 12 and 13).
Two easily reached salvage shops: Caritas, rue de Carouge (trams 12 and 13, stop Augustins) and Salvation army (tram 12 and 16, stop Gare des Eaux-Vives).
Rex has given you the url of the city's latest scheme to encourage people cycling in Geneva: http://www.geneveroule.ch/location.html
http://www.geneve-tourisme.ch/ is Geneva tourist office's site.
