Just our usual reminder at this time of the year, that the autoroute vignette, which is necessary for those who travel on any portion of the Swiss autoroute (highway/motorway), can now be purchased. These stickers are available at gas/petrol stations, shops, tabac/kiosks, border crossings, post offices, and other locations. The price is once again Fr. 40.- for the calendar year, and you have until 31 January 2019 to display it on your windscreen.
Note: If you buy Fr. 100.- worth of goods from Denner, you can purchase the vignette for only Fr. 35.-. This is NOT valid on purchases of hard alcohol, tobacco products, taxed garbage bags, vignettes, etc. However, wine counts! So stock up on a couple cases of wine for the holidays and take advantage of this deal (while stocks last)! Here is the ad from Denner:
Here is some more information supplied by the Swiss Customs Website.
It could be another hot summer so we thought that a few local outdoor swimming pools will keep you cool over the holidays if you remain in the area. Remember to call ahead to check if these outdoor pools are open when the weather is threatening. If you are a resident of the commune where the pool is located you may be eligible for a special discount. Check with the pools or the websites directly. Of course, take advantage of the lake and local beaches. It is not advisable to swim in local rivers at this time according to this article, however swimming in the river Rhône is fine but take precautions with the current. ©Excerpt from Know-it-all passport® so This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. us if you would like to replicate this list. All dates and prices are correct at the time of this article. Scroll down to see a selection in Vaud and neighboring France.
Outdoor Swimming Pools in Canton Geneva
Bains des Paquis
30, quai du Mont-Blanc
1201 Genève
022 732 29 74 main
022 738 16 16 restaurant
website
This lake beach offers a life guard, warm showers, changing rooms, toilets, and towel rentals. Hammams are open over the summer Fr. 10.- includes towel rental. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Usually open during summer daily 10h-21h and Sundays 9h-21h. However the beach is accessible 24h/7. There are 2 sandpits for toddlers and kids as well as 2 wading areas (50cm deep) and 2 cordoned-off areas for swimmers. The beach is divided up into two areas: mixed or women only. Price: Fr. 2.-/adult, Fr. 1.-/child. The Restaurant Buvette des Bains is open year-round.
This is an extract from ©Know-it-all passport®.
Bois de la Batie
Ch. de la Bâtie and
Rte des Péniches
1213 Petit-Lancy
website
Bring your picnic basket and blanket and sprawl out on the lawn. There is a playground in part sun/part shade and a wading pool equipped with toilets and changing rooms. Visit the mini-zoo while you are there. Restaurants are nearby if you need an ice-cream!
Bois de Jussy
Great walking area with nice picnic spots in the Bois de Jussy on the rive gauche.
Bois de Versoix
Pleasant wood, nice paths, river, picnic sites (not marked), but possible anywhere.
Carouge-Parcours vita Park at the Ecole de Pinchat
Walk down to the bottom of this big hill. Ponies, picnic tables, and barbecue spot.
Being in Europe, we are spoiled by the amount of castles on every hilltop and town center. How lucky we can just have so many at our doorstep. Whether with guests or your own family, you will surely find a few on this small list that we have taken out of our latest ©Know-it-all passport®!
Abbaye de St Maurice
Av. d’Agane 15
1890 Saint-Maurice
website
Famous for its Merovingian treasure and 1,500 years of history. Augustine monks are still active as teachers here. Guided tours only (1.5 hours), at set times. You may request a tour in English. Price Fr. 15.-/adult, Fr. 9-/children 6-16. Open Tuesday to Friday 10h-17h30, weekends 13h30-17h30. Check website before going.
Château d’Aigle and the Musée de la Vigne, du Vin et de l’Etiquette
Place du Château 1
1860 Aigle
024 466 21 30
website
Aigle Castle was built at the end of the 12th century and is situated in the middle of vineyards. It harbors a wine museum with old wine-making traditions and tools, as well as a terrific collection of wine labels. Note: It’s fun to go to Swiss Vapeur Parc (see below) in the morning through lunch (there is a mini Château d’Aigle there!), then drive over to the life-size Château d’Aigle in the afternoon. Price: Fr 11.-/adult, Fr. 5.-/age 9-16. Family and group packages available. Open daily during summer 10h-18h.
Special discount for our readers (details below)!
Imagine a place where you can holiday with your family in a cosy, intimate resort, but still enjoy the kind of leisure activities you would normally associate with a much larger holiday center. How perfect would that be?
Located near Perpignan in the south of France, Imagine Roussillon is a small, child-friendly resort, which does just that!
Operating uniquely for families with young children up to the age of 10, Imagine Roussillon combines a fabulous location in Canet-en-Roussillon just 8-minutes drive from the Mediterranean sea, with a huge package of included services, all provided with the personal care of owners, Phil and Emma Davies.
