Planning a Trip to Switzerland

We stayed at the Mandarin Oriental – which has an excellent location on Lake Geneva but if we were paying for it ourselves we probably would have looked elsewhere. http://www.mandarinoriental.com/geneva/ Quai Turrettini 1, 1201 Geneva , Switzerland | T: +41 (22) 909 00 00
When we leave Geneva we are staying at: Hotel President Wilson which is really close to Botanical Gardens and the United Nations. It is also on the lake but could take a good 20 minutes to walk to the center of town. Mike Mills has stayed here when he has been in Geneva for work. I think it is a “starwood” hotel so if anyone has points, etc. it could be worth it. http://www.hotelpwilson.com/
Hotel President Wilson 47, Quai Wilson
Geneva , Switzerland
+41.22.906.66.66 We have heard good things about Hotel Les Armures it is in the heart of the Old Town which makes it an amazing location. If you don’t stay there, we highly recommend the restaurant – it is one of the best fondues in Geneva . http://www.hotel-les-armures.ch/
1, rue Puits-St-Pierre
1204 Genève
Tél. +41.22.310.91.72 | Fax +41.22.310.98.46

We have also had friends stay at Swissotel Geneva Metropole . This hotel is on the same side of the Lake that Alexis and I live. The location is great. Walking distance to the old town, the flower clock and Park de Bastions. http://www.swissotel.com/geneva/
34 Quai Général Guisan, Geneva , Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 318 3200
Fax: +41 22 318 3300 The Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva just opened this past summer. It is in the location where the Hilton used to be – right on the lake and in a central location. Supposedly they have completely re-done and updated the inside. http://www.kempinski-geneva.com/en/home/index.htm
19, Quai du Mont - Blanc
CH - 1201 Geneva
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 9089081
Fax: +41 22 9089090 Geneva Restaurants we’d recommend:
Ku De Ta – Route de Drize 1 (Place du Rondeau) CH 1227 Carouge. +41.22.342.58.58 – this is one of our favorite restaurants. The Mussels are delicious and the entrecote is excellent. You’ll need a reservation but the hotel can make them for you. This restaurant is easy to get to on public transportation!! Demi Lune – reasonable for lunch in the Old Town . Plus they have a non-smoking room. www.demilune.ch – 3, rue Etienne Dumont, Vielle Ville Geneve. +41.22.312.12.90 SoupCon – 8, Place du Bourg-de-Four, 1204 Geneve. You will need to make a reservation! In the old town. www.soupcon.ch +41.22.318.37.37
La Favola – you need a reservation or you won’t get in! This is a cute restaurant in the heart of Old Town . The food is fabulous (and expensive) and they only take cash!
http://www.lafavola.com/home.htm La Favola ristorante , 15, rue Jean-Calvin , 1204 Genève Tél. +41.22.311.74.37
Hotel Les Armures – we call this “the bill Clinton restaurant” because he ate there once and there is a plaque. The food is reasonably priced for Geneva and the food is excellent. If you want to take a fondue this is a great place to do it. It is not “touristy” at all. You will need a reservation. Summer events that may make Hotel prices increase: Fete de Geneve is July 31 – August 10, 2008 - www.fetes-de-geneve.ch (The site will update with times, etc. as we get closer to summer) The last Saturday of the Fete there is a huge fireworks display. The Swiss pride themselves on it. Orange Cinema (a big deal in GVA) – it is basically a movie on the lake. You can check out the times on the website: http://www.orangecinema.ch/en/index.htm if it says “VO” it means “version original” aka English. It is an all evening event. You can have dinner on the lake and then the movie. Restaurants:
- You’ll need a reservation at most restaurants.

Chez Ma Cousine – For lunch or dinner there are many locations in Geneva , super casual. I suggest going to the one in Old Town . We call this ‘the chicken place’ it is probably the most reasonable restaurant in Geneva . For 16 CHF you get half a rotisserie chicken, potatoes and a salad.
6, Pl Du Bourg-de-Four. Tel – 022-310-96.96 http://www.chezmacousine.ch/index_fr.html Demi Lune Café – this is a big hangout for the expat community. Get there early if you don’t want to stand!! Or, if you want to eat make a reservation in the non-smoking room (although eating/lounging on the couches is more fun!). It is also located in the Old Town and is great for lunch or dinner. Go for dinner to mingle with locals and find out where the hot spots are for late night! 3, rue Etienne Dumont. Tel – 022.312.12.90. www.demilune.ch Le Pain Quotidien – (Lunch or breakfast) this is actually a chain, the first one was opened in Brussels and now they are all over Europe and a few in NYC LA. There are 3 locations in Geneva . I have been to all 3 the most convenient for visitors are Plainpalais or Rive.
Genève, Plainpalais - 32 Boulevard Georges Favon - Tel.: 022 781 81 90
Genève, Rive - 21 Boulevard Helvétique - Tel.: 022 736 36 90 http://www.lepainquotidien.com/ Pizzeria da Paolo – This is very casual dining in Geneva and one of the best Pizzeria’s! They don’t take reservations and most weekends there is a line out the door starting from 8:00PM . 3 rue du Lac. (Down the street from La Bodega) Tel – +41(0)22 736 30.49 La Bodega – (Lunch or dinner) This is a great Tapas bar and hang out in the heart of Geneva and close to the lake. They take reservations.
21, rue des Eaux Vives – Tel - +41.(0)22.786.58.46 Ku De Ta – (this is our favorite restaurant in Geneva !! We eat here at least once a month!!) This restaurant is in the area called Carouge. You can take the 12 tram to the Carouge stop. They have an extensive mussels menu, the ‘entrecote de paris’ is to die for and they usually have a fresh fish dish as well. Start with the ‘salad du jardin’ or the ‘tuna sashmi’ and you won’t be disappointed! Make a reservation. If they don’t answer, leave a message on the machine in English, they will get it.
Route de Drize 1 (Place du Rondeau) Carouge. Tel - +41.22.342.58.58 SoupCon –. If you are here for work, chances are you will be taken here. The menu is small but the steaks and fish are great (they even have a vegetarian option). You will need to make a reservation! In the Old Town (pop into demi lune before or after dinner for a cocktail). 8, Place du Bourg-de-Four, +41.22.318.37.37 www.soupcon.ch

La Favola – (dinner only) you need a reservation or you won’t get in! This is a cute restaurant in the heart of Old Town . The food is fabulous (and expensive) and they only take cash! La Favola ristorante , 15, rue Jean-Calvin +41.22.311.74.37 http://www.lafavola.com/home.htm Hotel Les Armures – (Lunch or dinner) we call this “the bill Clinton restaurant” because he ate there once and there is a plaque. The food is reasonably priced for Geneva and the food is excellent. If you want to take a fondue this is a great place to do it. The restaurant is in the heart of Old Town and is not “touristy” at all. You will need a reservation. 1, rue Puits-St-Pierre - Tél. +41.22.310.34.42 http://www.hotel-les-armures.ch/fr/restaurant-geneve.php U Bobba Restaurant – this restaurant is just outside of the ‘chess park’ or Parc de Bastions. They change their menu frequently and the food is good.
22, rue de la Corraterie. Tel (0) 22.310.53.40 www.ubobba.ch Asadal – Korean restaurant in Geneva . If you are French/Swiss food out this is great alternative. It is right downtown. 9, rue des Eaux-Vives Tel – 022.786.01.98 www.asadal.ch La Baguette d’Or – typical Chinese restaurant in Geneva . It is in the Plainpalais area (across from the winter circus at Plaine de Plainpalais). 15, av. Henri-Dunant. Tel-+41.22.328.13.61 THAI – This is a fun/funky restaurant right downtown! The food is excellent and most of the servers speak English. The location on Molard Square is great. There is an Artisanal Beer Bar called ‘Lord Nelson’s Pub’ in the square that serve excellent hand-crafted beers. It is a great place to stop in before or after dinner!
Restaurant Thaï - 3 rue Neuve-du-Molard - Tel : +41 (0)22 310 12 54 - http://www.thai-geneve.com/ Brasserie LIPP – this place gets good recommendations from friends, etc. After dinner hours check out “le cave” when the block gets hot for cocktails, etc. in the evening.
Confédération Centre, Rue de la Confédération 8 - Tél (022) 318 80 30 Cocktails/Bars Lady Godiva Pub – Yes, it’s an English Pub but it is the place to be in the evening! The food is good and they serve until 11PM . Be careful, if there is an ‘football’ match it might be hard to get in the door!
Lady Godiva English Pub - 53, Boulevard du Pont-d'Arve Plainpalais, - Tel: 022 328 2300 - http://www.ladyg.ch/ Soleil Rouge – Popular pre-dinner/after work cocktails. Not open on Saturday nights!!
This wine bar is non-smoking inside so don’t be alarmed by the mounds of people standing outside!! Prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is great! The bar is in downtown Geneva . Boulevard Helvetique, 23 – TEL – (0)22.700.00.24
www.soleilrouge.ch La Cave Calvinus – wine bar in the Old Town . (It is next to Demi Lune). A good option when Demi Lune is packed! Buy a bottle of wine at the bar and sit on the couches drinking with friends! Rue Etienne-Dumont 3 – tel. 022.310.79.05 www.calvinuscave.ch Lord Nelson Pub - Artisanal Beer Bar. excellent hand-crafted beers. It is a great place to stop in before or after dinner!
9, Place du Molard Tel +41. (0)22. 311.11.00 Alhambar – we have grabbed drinks here a couple of times. The atmosphere is nice and you can grab a snack if you like. 10, rue de la Rôtisserie • entrée Parc Pélisserie
Tél. : 022 312 1313 - http://www.alhambar.com/index.html L’Ethno – it serves good cocktails and offers a nice selection of wines and on week-ends it features good Dj's It is near the Plainpalais area.
Rue Bovy-Lysberg 1, Tel: 022 310 25 21 http://www.ethnobar.ch Late night/Clubbing… La Sip – open from 10-4:30am . They have a couple bars and a ‘disco’ lounge. In the Plainpalais area. Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 8-10. http://www.lasip.ch/ Heaven Lounge – pretty new and non-smoking! Rue Philippe Plantamour 25, phone: +41 (0)22 732 10 22 Java – Late night club under the Kempinski Hotel. Very upscale and expensive! (from their website: Java Club is an all-in-one restaurant nightclub. Fine world cuisine, lavish sofas and good music: a place where you can relax, have dinner, dance and enjoy.) 19 Quai Du Mont Blanc - Tel: +41 22 908 9081 http://www.kempinski-geneva.com/en/bars/index.htm?item_id=24686
Shakers – I don’t think you are supposed to go here before 2:00AM !! Late night booty shakin’ Admission fee on the weekends! Rue Winkelried 4, Tel. +41 (0)22 310 55 98, http://www.shakers.ch/ Platinum Club – This is a new trendy spot in Geneva . Admission fee. You can make a reservation by visiting their website: http://www.platinum-club.ch/ 18 Quai du Seujet, 022.738.90.91

I was situated in Geneve, but I was in Lausanne twice. Cathedral is very nice and there is opportunity to climb on the top. The view from there is fantastic.
In old town there isn't something special to see and I suggest just walking near the lake. There is also near lake Olympic Museum.
First time when I was there it was Saturday afternoon, and there was open just one restaurant near railway station with terrible pizza.
Find some cafe bar was big adventure.
My recommendation is if you have enough food and drink with you go to the Lausanne, else go the Montreaux, for me the best city in Switzerland.

Altstaetten is a city in the east of switzerland next to the border to Austria, Germany and the ducter of Lichtenstein The city center is a old town whitch was bilt at ~1300 and is a beauty.Altstaetten is one of the oldest cities from the kanton St.Gallen und was named first time at 853. Nightlife: Its not the best place to dence when ther isen't a big fastival but ther around 80 restaurants,bars and pubs. Healt: Hospital is right by the city

The best place for shopping in Zurich is the "Niederdörfli". It is in the old part of the city and you can find everything you need there. But you won't find something like HM. The boutiques are small and friendly the stuff special sometimes crazy but it's worth the time to have a stroll trough the "Niederdörfli". At the beginning of the "Niederdörfli" is a brasserie where you can enjoy some good Swiss food.

Burgruine Stein, Mr. Pickwick, Trafo, Fiori

Nice little castle, good for functions!! But be careful not to drink too much, the toilets are downstairs and you have to go outside!! Sucks in winter...

Find out which watch you want. Then go and buy it on the Internet!

Going to Alpthal was a great adventure. My great grandparents left Alpthal many years ago to go multiply themselves like rabbits in New Zealand. So therefor I was the first of their descendents to go back where we all begann. The idyllic little village in one of Switzerland's back corner's is a place for itself. The village has all modern things all swiss places have, a post office, a bank, a community center and a cop shop. All convienently in one building, in one office, run by one person with inbread schizophrenia to do all these mind bashing tasks at once. Even with this modern facility the village has kept itself in a nice little timewarp remainig in the beginning of the last century. The picturesque chalet's and farm house's are really old fashion and lovely. The beautiful geranium's on all balconies, hiding the ancent swiss people as they stair at all foreigner's as if tourist's came directly from Mars, are simply gorgeous. Nice to know that there's even a nowhere in Switzerland. No wonder my ancestor's left.

For the nightlife there's a little bar behind the Mont Cervin, a 5*Hotel in the heart of Zermatt (near the post office). You have to go the street next to this Hotel (it's next to the shop Bucherer) until you see the sign: Apèro Rendevous) It calls z'alt hischi. The drinks there is nothing for someone who can't drink, because they're really tough. Or for people who like dancing, there are a few option. First the broken (it's by the hotel post), it looks more like a celery but it's always fun there. You can dance on a barrel ;-) Next one calls Schneewittchen (Snow white) it's under the famous aprés-ski bar Papperla-pub. They have a lot of special party's like beachparty, nurse and doctorparty and and and... You see even in the nightlife a lot things to do ;-) Actually I should write about the ski paradies, but the only problem is there, I was never up to the mountain, except once when I went sledging. That was much fun, but the route is really fast and difficult. It's from Rotenboden to Riffelalp, short but cool. If you there, you should'nt missing the Klein Matterhorn. There's a little ice sculpture garden and a restaurant. And you at the highest point in Zermatt, that you can reach with the train. visit: http://www.zermatt.ch

If you can, sign up for the Klein Matterhorn sunrise trip while you're in Zermatt. It's within walking distance of the village.

You will have to get up at something like 4:00am in the morning (In August) but it's totally worth it because from the observation platform on the Klein Matterhorn, you have the most AMAZING view of sunrise on the Matterhorn.

Plus you end up having breakfast so early that you'll have enough time to make it back to your hotel/hostel for a second breakfast! :p

Dress warm though! I froze my butt off because I was smart enough to wear shorts.

go down to lake edge and get photo's of the swans

There are some nice art museums, for ex. the photography museum, which is the most important in Switzerland.

Kreuzlingen is a quiet and calm town on the Bodensee. Here is a photo of this city.

Fresh air and beutiful sights! If you love nature and like to make photos, you choose very well destination.

Visit Bern during the Berner Fastnacht in February.

Go to Emmenbruecke in February during the Fasnacht on the Sunday after dirty Thursday (schmutziger Donnerstag). Then the big parade is taking place and the "Aemmeli" is burnt, a witch out of wood and fabrique. In the evening the party is on.

Is the first city in Switzerland arriving from italian passenger customs of Como (Monte Olimpino). It is a small and silent city concentranted along the commercial main street. Used principally for duty-free sopping.

When you go up to the Messeturm there is a lovely bar -the "Bar Rouge". You have a wonderful view over the whole city. Especieally in the night it is very pretty The Zolli: in this zoo you can see a lot of different animals and all of them are living in a very trimly and broad enclosure.

Lucerne is one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. The city is seperated by the river Reuss, the one side of the city is called the old city and the other side the new city. The new city holds the train station and variuos new buildings. The most impressive of all is the KKL which stands for Art and Culture of Lucerne. The building is right next to the train station and is huge, well huge for swiss standards. The building has a concert hall, restaurants and bars, a gallery and a museum like walkabout path in the top floors that has a fantastic view over the city, lake and alps surrounding the lake of Lucerne. The building is deffinitly a must see! In the old city, across the river you will find lot's of shop's and café's, nice restaurant's and lovely cobblestone streets and paths, as cars are forbidden in the old city, one can stroll around and enjoy the beauty of this old and neat place. If you go there, then i recomend going to a shop called the Manor, the shop itself is full of crap, hideous tarts with far to much make up and drenched in perfume. But if you manage to get pass these dreadful creatures and make it to the escalator, then go all the way to the top floor. There you will find the Manor restaurant, the food is not bad at all, if you still have your apetite. In the middle of the restaurant there are stairs leading you to the jewel of it all, the terasse on the roof. Here you can enjoy your far to exspensive food and drinks while looking over the entire old city of Lucerne. It's really worth it.

The Greifensee close to Zurich is anice lake which on a nice trip can rounded by skates, bicycles or on foot (about 20 km) In fall every year the Greifenseelauf is taking place here. This halfmarathon (10km can be done as well) is one of the oldest and biggest annual running events in Switzerland. One should also mention the Climbing centre (Milandia) in Schwerzenbach which was opened in 2007. Next to the climbing centre other sport activities like tenis and golf can be performed as well.

On the sunny day have a walk on the Rhein in klein Basel (between Mittelbruecke and Wetsteinbruecke). You will love it!

Wear more clothes in the winter, if you are planning go to the Junflaujoch