Brought to you by Aer Lingus
A mountainside gem.
It might not be everyone’s first choice for a quick city break, but Geneva packs a hell of a lot into one place. Not only is it a gorgeous city, but it’s home to some of Europe’s best ski slopes.
Winter time is when the city really shines though. People are heading up to the mountains to ski, and Christmas markets start popping up all over the city.
Every year, the city’s Bastions Park is transformed into a winter wonderland. There aren’t many things half as satisfying on a warm winter’s day than a bit of raclette, which essentially is cheese that’s melted under a grill and served in copious amounts fresh off the wheel.
The Cirque de Noel (Christmas Circus) that comes to the city every year is pretty unique as well, especially given that they’ve managed to train cats. Their dîner spectacles are particularly special, as you get to enjoy the show whilst tucking into some delicious food.
Things to do
If we had you at “skiing”, then you’re going to want to check out Mont Blanc & Chamonix Valley. Often not as busy as some of the other European skiing areas, there’s even a Saint Bernard training centre in the Les Houches resort. Surely that’s reason enough to go?
The Jet d’Eau is likely the most unique of the city’s landmarks, and is definitely worth a look. Essentially, it’s a jet of about 500 litres of water that is shot directly into the air. A bit like the Spire, it’s just made of water…
The oldest private home in Geneva, Maison Tavel is a great place to get an overall understanding of the city’s history. In fairness, the building itself has been standing since 1334 so it’s been there for a huge chunk of it.
Should you have a bit of time on your hands, head over to the Patek Philippe watch museum. See what we did there?
It might sound like something from a Bond movie, but you can actually paraglide across the French border from Geneva. If you head up Mont Salève, (weather permitting) you can glide through the air and take in the incredible views of the Swiss/French countryside.
No trip to Geneva is complete without visiting the Cathédrale St-Pierre. With a history dating all the way back to the 6th Century, the tomb underneath the building is particularly eerie.
Another place you should definitely add to your list is the historic Palace of Nations, the UN’s European headquarters. It’s been the venue for some of the most important international meetings of the past half-century.
Getting there
Resting beside one of Europe’s largest lakes, Lake Alpine, Switzerland’s second largest city is the perfect place to enjoy a more peaceful break than some of the more popular cities. It’s not even two hours on a train away from the capital city of Bern either, so it isn’t exactly hard to reach!
You can fly directly from Dublin to Geneva with Aer Lingus, and the airport isn’t far from the city centre.
As part of the Aer Lingus Winter Sale, you can get cheap flights to great European cities like Geneva, Berlin, and plenty more besides. Offering great rates and comfortable flights, make it a happy winter this year with a city break!
Brought to you by Aer Lingus
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
