Geneva Journals

Relaxing in Geneva

A June 1999 trip to Geneva by lisanti

Geneva Hostel Photo - HI Hostel Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

Quote: Third "stop" on 6 girls' backpacking trip through Europe... Beautiful, relaxing, rejuvinating, simple city. Nice people, but not much to see... relaxing is key.

7 Photos

Relaxing in Geneva

Overview

Quote:

The fountain on Lake Geneve. The beautiful gardens.

Quick Tips:

Groups of six or more... STAY IN THE HOSTEL. It's not just for young people and it's cheap and VERY NICE (brand new).

Best Way To Get Around:

Get there by Eurail, walk everywhere else.

Cheer!
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HI Hostel Geneva

Hotel | "HI Hostel-Gavede Cornaviva"

Quote:

($12/person/night) Better than the average hostel... VERY new and nice. Ikea-esque decor... bunkbeds (3 per room), showers down the hall. We had an AWESOME view of Lake Geneva (it''s about 2 blocks from the hostel). This is one of the few hostels that has no age limit... there was a big family staying there while we were there.

Downstairs from the rooms, there''s a lot to explore: a tv room, a cafeteria, and a laundry room. They serve every meal there (for a small price)... it''s good food. I think Bfast was free, though and there was lots of food.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 29, 2000

HI Hostel Geneva
30 Rue Rothschild
Geneva, Switzerland
41-22-7326260

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Old Town

Attraction

Quote:

It's a nice area to wonder around in, there's a lot of neat little local shops and neat buildings. There's even a Central Perk! :) However, it's a pretty expensive area, though and their are lots of well-dressed tourists and very nice cars (the best I saw anywhere in Europe). It's an expensive town, but so is all of Switzerland from what I understand. But, it is fun to just go weave in and out of the buildings and walk along the lake...

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 30, 2000

Old Town

Geneva, Switzerland

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Shopping

Attraction | "Shopping in 'New Town'"

Quote:

It's a big shopping mall with tons of clothing stores and shoe stores. Shoes in Europe are AWESOME and pretty cheap. I bought some shoes there that didn't come into style in the states till just recently... Switzerland is also where I bought my brother a Swiss Army watch for pretty cheap ($60... it's $150 in the US), and a couple Swiss army knives.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 30, 2000

Shopping
Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland

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Mr Pickwick

Attraction | "Pickwick Pub"

Quote:

(It's very close to the hostel on the main street). It's a good crowd... locals and tourists. The UN is in Geneva, so that adds to the interesting people. We were excited to meet some other people from Texas there! Anyways, it's a typical pub... played good music (we were dancing outside) and had beer and wine. HOT bartenders!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 30, 2000

Mr Pickwick
80 rue de Lausanne
Geneva, Switzerland 1202
+41 22 731 67 97

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Botanical Gardens

Attraction | "The Geneva Botanical Gardens?"

Quote:

It's fun just to walk around, looking at the houses, and realizing that people actually live there (with there 10-person staff, of course), and having Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps to look at! It's very peaceful and secluded. There are many benches just to sit and take it all in. There are also many small gardens that you will just stumble upon.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 30, 2000

Botanical Gardens
on the Lake
Geneva, Switzerland

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Le Palais des Nations

Attraction | "United Nations"

Quote:

It's neat just to go see it and realize how many decisions are made there. It's heavily guarded and I'm not sure if you can tour or not (we didn't). While we were there, there was a HUGE wooden chair in front, missing a leg, symbolizing the numbers people that have been killed/hurt by landmines.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on November 30, 2000

Le Palais des Nations
14, avenue de la Paix
Geneva, Switzerland 1201
+41 22 907 45 60

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Le Jet d'Eau

Attraction | "Jet d'Eau"

Quote:

It's a big fountain (the biggest in the world?) that shoots straight out of the lake... it was built for a world fair there. You can see it from all around the lake, and they shine lights on it at night. The lake is beautiful to watch a sunset on, and the Swiss Alps surround it. Also, there is a statue of a "naked man and a horse" near the Hostel side... fun to climb on (if you dare) and take a picture!

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 29, 2000

Le Jet d'Eau
Quai Général Guisan
Geneva, Switzerland 1204

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Train to/from Geneva

Story/Tip

Train to Barcelona from Geneva Photo - Geneva, Switzerland

Quote:

We took the Eurail into Geneva from Paris. The French/Switzerland countryside is gorgeous. You get to see all these quaint little villages and every house has a garden. It's a nice 3.5 hour train ride. The train station is typical (and very big). But be forewarned: even though Geneva is a very NICE classy town, there are thieves everywhere. As we waited for our train (outside in front of lots of people), we saw several men eyeing our bags (two of us were watching all 6 bags). A TIP that we came up with right then and there is if traveling in a group, come up with a code word that will alert the entire group to suspicious people. Make it a word nobody would say otherwise... (Ours became Av...Read More