Get a free drink at the top with your meal at the L'Observatoire restaurant! (See below for conditions)
Now that the Spring weather has arrived, many of us are stepping out onto the hills to explore the countryside and, if we have time, enjoy a freshly cooked meal in a local auberge.
Given the proximity of the mountains to Geneva, you really don’t have to venture that far to experience that feeling of “getting away”. For those living in the centre of Geneva, the Salève mountain with its handy cable car is literally on your doorstep. Divided into 2 parts, le petit and le grand, the Salève measures 1400m at its highest point, so there is a real sense of achievement when you get to the summit!
If you’re feeling energetic, then there are numerous pathways, which wind their way up the mountain. You can either go it alone with your own map, or enlist the help of a local guide to direct you up the mountain. If you prefer the guide option, then we suggest you try out one of the free hikes arranged every Sunday by the organization AGAS (Association Genevoise des Amis du Salève). Click here for more information.
Foreigners in Switzerland who want to know more about Swiss wines and the vineyards that dot the countryside now have a good resource. Ellen’s Wine World, a free website in English about Swiss wines, launched officially this week.
Writer Ellen Wallace says the site’s mix of wine reviews (250 a year), vineyard profiles, interviews with winemakers, wine and food news and other features is designed to make foreigners fall in love with Swiss wines, just as she has done.
Ellen isn’t simply a fan of good wine. She’s a judge at major international wine competitions including the Mondial des Pinots and the Mondial du Merlot as well as at Switzerland’s national wine competition, the Grand Prix des Vins Suisses. She’s been writing about European wine, often linked to travel and cuisine, since 1982, initially from Paris for Time Magazine, Business Week, the International Herald Tribune (with special sections on Swiss wine) and a number of international travel magazines.
After 20 months of renovation work, representing an investment of 40 million francs, the 4-star Crowne Plaza Geneva has secured its place, once again, as one of the top attractions in Geneva for businessmen, tourists, and local Swiss residents.
Ideally situated just 500m from the airport and Palexpo, 2km from the United Nations, and 3km from the city centre, the Crowne Plaza Geneva has now been completely modernized and extended, with an additional 2 floors offering outstanding views over one of the most dynamic business quarters of Geneva. The new floors were officially unveiled at a series of special launch events held at the hotel last month.
Looking for some menu ideas for Valentine's Day on Thursday, 14th February? We have hand-picked a few in the area that would be delicious and memorable. Remember that tables get booked up relatively fast so unless you want to go for a last-minute pizza then we suggest contacting venues as soon as possible!
This list is compiled by region.
Last year, during the run up to Christmas, we featured a short article listing a few ideas for quick and easy apéritifs, with ingredients sourced from local supermarkets. Here's the list again, with a few new suggestions from our guest bloggers, Rosa Mayland and Hiba Gicoletto.
The emphasis in each case is on simplicity – none of us want to spend hours creating gourmet dishes at this time of year. So read on… and if you have a few ideas of your own, please send them in to us and we will add them to this year's list.
If you still need further inspiration, then why not try out one of the "festive" cookery lessons in the area! Many of the local cookery schools offer classes in the run up to Christmas. Check out pages 482 to 483 of the current edition of Know-it-all passport to find a local school near you!
