Geography Hailed as the ‘‘Peace Capital” of the world for its contributions to humanitarian efforts and the many diplomatic agencies which make their headquarters here, Geneva is the second most populated city in Switzerland and the largest city in the French speaking Romandie region. Lying between the Alps and the Jura Mountains, the city is settled around the River Rhône, at the point where the river flows back into the southwestern corner of Lake Geneva. Geneva supports a modest population of just under 200,000 people in15 square km, while its wider metropolitan area of 812,000 reaches partly into France. Geneva today is an incredibly diverse city, where over half of its residents are foreign nationals. airBaltic brings your flight to Geneva airport, which is a major destination for nearly every European airline and includes some trans-Atlantic flights. Languages Due to the city’s geography, the primary language in Geneva is French, while the international buzz of the city makes English a widely spoken second language. In addition, others languages can be heard, mostly Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Arabic, with a handful of German and Italian speakers as well. So don’t worry about communicating! See and Do Geneva is noteworthy for the peaceful efforts managed from across the city, from the once headquarters of UN agency at the Palais des Nations, to the Red Cross agency headquarters, as well as the Geneva Convention, which established the code of human rights protection. Exploring the city for its museums and architecture can also prove rewarding. A symbol of the pinnacle of the reformation and aptly built upon the old city’s highest point, Cathédrale St-Pierre is connected via an underground passage to the International Museum of the Reformation, located in the Maison Mallet. Since it housed the League of Nations, Palais des Nations is Geneva’s birthplace of the United Nations and worthwhile to visit for its Assembly Hall and extensive art collection. Get tickets for the Musée d'Art Moderne and enjoy a sizable collection of Swiss and international art. Admire too Jet d’Eau, a stream of water shooting 140 m into the air as Geneva’s fascinating night time spectacle. Be warned to see it from a healthy distance so as to not get soaked by the half kilometre spread of water. What would a trip to Switzerland be without a least a little sampling of chocolate? No matter where you go, hotel shop or elegant restaurant, you can indulge your sweet tooth with a gourmet selection or a cheap deal from a local shop. Swiss wine is highly recommended and appears to be a well kept (and rightly so!) secret of the country, with some rather top wines to sample from – if you can beat the locals to it. While shopping in Geneva is a bit lackluster, those looking for fine jewelry or the craftsmanship of a Swiss watch will not be disappointed, as there is much to choose from. Get outside the city center for outdoor fun and if possible, venture out into the lake for a summer swim or a boat ride in the autumn or get out for some sport in the mountains, depending on the timing of your city-break. |
