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What to Do in Geneva

Fri, 27 February 2015

Geneva’s close proximity to the Alps makes it easy to go on a day or weekend jolly to the slopes. The best ski resort nearby is Chamonix, but there are plenty of other options to choose from. The Gare Routiere (bus station) offers daily ski passes and serves a variety of nearby pistes. In summer, take a cable car up to the Salève to frolic in the wildflower-filled meadows, finishing with a picnic overlooking the entire city.

MAMCO

Excellent contemporary art museum in an old warehouse, housing great temporary exhibitions. Head down in the summer for Museum Night, when arty flicks are screened from dusk until dawn. ADDRESS: Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 10, 1205 Geneva, +41 22 320 61 22

FÊTE DE L’ESCALADE

This mid-December festival celebrates the defeat of a surprise attack on Switzerland by Charles Emmanuel I and his troops in 1602. The city comes alive with celebrations, including processions, street parties, food fights and a large cauldron made of chocolate and filled with marzipan vegetables…

DAY TRIP

Hop on a famously efficient Swiss train to the neighbouring towns of Lausanne and Cully. In Lausanne you’ll find picture-book loveliness with traditional chocolate-box houses and an excellent Olympic Museum, while Cully hosts a superb (and free) jazz and wine festival in April. It’s worth a trip to either at any time of year simply for the views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

ANTIGEL FESTIVAL

Get down to this music festival in February, where club nights are hosted in unconventional venues including a roller-disco in a motorway tunnel and a dance-off at the airport. ADDRESS: CP 5635, 1211 Geneva

ICE HOCKEY

Ice hockey is probably the most popular spectator sport in Geneva, and the local club, Genève-Servette HC, retains a huge following and is highly competitive in the national league. Matches during the winter season (September to March) are fairly cheap and quite something to watch.

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