Geneva Motor Show
by Alkitta
One of the most important events for Geneva is the Motor Show organized in early March each year (held for the 75th time in 2005). If you plan to visit Geneva at this time, make sure that you book your accommodation months in advance. At the motor show you can see the new cars that have not made it to the street yet and you can also order your new car at a good price ;-)
The motor show is held at Palexpo next to Geneva airport. See http://www.salon-auto.ch/en/ for more information.
Why they drink outside cafes in Winter
by Paisleypaul
I was impressed that in a January with temperatures just below freezing, the hardy Genevans were outside at the tables on the terraces and street in front of the cafes.
Upon closer inspection, that tea is vin chaud - (very) hot wine served in a glass teacup, with perhaps a slice of fruit and sugar to add to taste.
Different!
Despite all protests to the...
by Tal_A
Despite all protests to the contrary and menus marked service compris, the Swiss do tip at restaurant meals, giving quantities anywhere from the change from the nearest franc to 10 SF for a world-class meal exquisitely served. Unlike American-style tipping, which is calculated by a percentage, usually between 10% and 20%, a tip is still a tip here: a nod of approval for a job well done. If, in a café, the waitress settles the bill at the table, fishing the change from her leather purse, give her the change on the spot--or calculate the total, including tip, and tell her the full sum before she counts it onto the tabletop. If you need to take more time to calculate, leave it on the table, though this isn't common practice in outdoor cafés. If you're paying for a meal with a credit card, try to tip with cash instead of filling in the tip slot on the slip: Not all managers are good about doling out the waiters' tips in cash. Tipping porters and doormen is easier: 2 SF per bag is adequate in good hotels, 1 SF per trip in humbler lodgings (unless you travel heavy).
A short mountain excursion: the Saleve
by Ritchie_Lionheart
The Saleve is the "house mountain" of Geneva, even though it is in nearby France. It looks rather ugly from the bottom, but it offers a spectacular view from the top: the lake and the city of Geneva at your feet lined by the Alpine and Jura mountain chains on both sides. The restaurant at the top of the cable car (telepherique) is currently closed, but others are a short 20 mins walk away. Every Sunday morning, an open group of friends meet in Veyrier (bus 8 stop) at 10 am for a public walk on the Sal?ve. To get to the top, take bus 8 to Veyrier, then by foot acroiss the border and the cable car to the top.
If you want to do it in a couple of hours on your own, take bus 8 from Geneva to Veyrier Douane, then walk (or use the rfree shuttle on SAT/SUN in summer) to the cable car across the border. The cable car usually leaves every 20 mins, the return fare is 10.50 Euros.
Please check L'Usine, and if...
by zoup
Please check L'Usine, and if it's not enough underground for you, the Artemis area.
L'Usine is run by a community. It hosts a bar, restaurant and disco. I went there for a jungle night. Great.
Artemis is an aera with a few bars and discos where cannabis is 'legalised'. Can be quite dodgy sometimes, but nobody will bother you if you don't bother anyone. As these are underground, you can wear whatever you like. But I'd leave tie, jacket and smart trousers home, and come as casual, even very casual.
The Jet d'eau from the shore of Lake Leman, Geneva
Geneva
French TGV train in Geneva
1. Parc des Eaux-Vives
