Laila Rodriguez
Geneva, Switzerland - The Swiss are ready to ring in the New Year with lots of ancient customs and a good dose of outdoor celebrations. Here’s a selection of what’s on this New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (see my previous entry to see what’s on in Geneva).
Appenzell’s public masquerade
Early in the morning on New Year’s Eve, men and boys take over the streets of Appenzell in what is considered one of the most beautiful and festive traditions in Switzerland.
The men and children, dressed in ancient customs (the Chläuse), go from house to house in the region walking always in line, tolling their giant cowbells and wishing residents a good new year. This is called the Schelli in the local dialect.
The group yodels ancient songs while the residents greet them, and sometimes, offer them mulled wine and food.
The masks and bells which weigh up to 30 kilos, represent the beautiful, the ugly, the forest and nature or the Kläusen.
Preparations begin in the town’s main square at 05:00 on 31 December with festivities ending sometime in the early hours of 1 January.
Video of the Silvesterklausen - Produced by the Switzerland tourism office Read more…
Laila Rodriguez
SkiVille in the heart of the city - Photo courtesy Ville de Geneve
Geneva, Switzerland - If you are already missing the 31cm of snow that blanketed Geneva (and that are now gone), you may still find some in SkiVille; a skiing extravaganza in the heart of Old Town which begins at 18:00 on 8 December and ends at the same time on the 12th.
It has been three years since the city of Geneva began its re-creation of an Alpine village in the centre of town.
The concept behind it, says the Sports Division responsible for the project, is to make skiing accessible to everyone, including those who would otherwise not have a chance to practice winter sports.
Kids and adults are welcome to ski the 40m-slope which descends from the Promenade de la Treille in old town and climb back again courtesy of an electric tow-bar.
Monitoring is provided by instructors from the Geneva Ski School.
Laila Rodriguez
Prepare for an experience as few others in town
Geneva, Switzerland – This post addresses two of the eternal Geneva conundrums: what’s on in Geneva on Sundays and what’s free?
Here’s a resource that answers both questions and can help you keep your body in a zen-state on a shoe string budget.
- When: Every Sunday. From October to May from 10:00 to 11:00, June to September from 9:15 to 10:15
- Where: Bains de Paquis
- How much: CHF20 to become a member (think of it as a one-time donation). CHF2 entry during the warm months, free the rest of the year
- No need to follow schedules, sleep in if it rains, or practice Tai-Chi under the covered area, it’s up to you!
No registration is required, just walk in and Tai-Chi your Sunday morning away.
Now, that’s a deal!
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Laila Rodriguez
Ice skating in Lausanne - Photo ©Ville de Lausanne
Geneva and Lausanne, Switzerland – The open air skating rinks (ice- and roller-skating) are now a go for Geneva and Lausanne.
The Lausanne outdoor ice skating rinks have been operating since mid-October and will be open into early March 2011:
- Malley, chemin du Viaduc 14, CHF7 adults, CHF3.50 kids
- Montchoisi, av. du Servan 30, CHF7 adults, CHF3.50 kids
- La Pontaise, route des Plaines-du-Loup 11 (no ice skate rental available), CHF5.50 adults, CHF3 kids
Geneva outdoor ice skating rinks also promise fun for all until early March 2011:
- Bastions Park, free entry, skates rental CHF2, until 27 February
- Meyrin, CHF2 kids (17 and under), CHF5 adults
- Sous-Moulin in Thonex, CHF3 kids (16 and under), CHF5 adults
In addition to these there are several indoor ice skating rinks in Geneva, and two outdoor roller skating rinks now open to the public: Charmilles and Vernets.
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Laila Rodriguez
Which way to go? - Photo Plinio Galeano
Geneva, Switzerland – The skies are gray, the sort of perpetual gray that sets over Geneva each fall making you want to—hike?
If you are new to the region you have probably heard others say that “once you get out of Geneva the skies are blue.” Well, it is true!
Kick those blues away: grab some peanuts, get your light hikers out and discover evergreen trees up to 500 years old, Alpine gardens, terraced vineyards and even a “celestial world.”
The Swiss tourism office has a list of autumnal walks in the Lake Geneva region, and if you want to go further afield, you can tell their site’s database how long you want to walk and where, with all hikes rated from easy to difficult. Some include visiting castles, so there’s a bit for everyone in the family, and lots of space for your four-legged friend to run.
Laila Rodriguez
Geneva Servette Hockey Club defeats Zug 5 April (photo, ©Piotr Sweck/GSHC)
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Fun-and-free activities are popping up this weekend in Geneva and I can’t help but share them with GL readers.
On one side of the city: skaters, sticks and a puck; on the other, a huge flea-market and street fair; and a mountain biking competition in the middle of town!
Geneva ice hockey team announces free pre-season game
Laila Rodriguez
Geneveroule stand in Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland – For the next 30 days, the city of Geneva is loaning electric bicycles – for free – to everyone who wants to take them for a spin.
A Geneveroule bike-loan booth is located in the intersection of Avenue Wendt and Rue de la Servette and is open seven days a week, from 09:00 to 19:00
The city is encouraging residents to test the electric bikes as an alternative to scooters and motorcycles.
How to get your bike for the day
Laila Rodriguez
Public viewing
[Shakira new World Cup video]Geneva, Switzerland - I know I’m getting obsessed about the football World Cup. I can’t help it. Every four years it is – mostly – all I think about. Precisely four years ago I moved to Geneva. It was during the last few days of the Cup and without a TV to watch the matches from home, I visited all the restaurants in my area trying to find “the game.”
If you’re into football you probably know which bars and restaurants will be broadcasting the World Cup, but did you know there were parties planned around most of the games in Geneva and Lausanne?
Let’s begin in style.
Laila Rodriguez
Great outdoor entertainment for all
Geneva, Switzerland – The warm season is upon us which can only mean one thing: it is time to take yourself and your family outdoors. Switzerland is a great place for outdoor activities but with so much to do it can get difficult to navigate through all the information available.
No worries, the Swiss office of tourism has laid out a listing that lets you pick a region, say the Alps or Geneva, level of difficulty and time requirement, (among other criteria), to help you fully enjoy your Swiss experience.
You may decide you want to combine hiking and dining, or touring a specific region while someone else carries your luggage.
It doesn’t matter what your cuppa tea is, this is your one-stop site for everything you always wanted to know about hiking and trekking but were too afraid to ask
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Laila Rodriguez
A mix of snow and sun on the Valais
Valais, Switzerland – The Crans-Montana ski and music festival known as the Caprices Festival is the place to be, to see and to be seen this weekend. If you are one of those white-powder-and-ski lovers, or simply are looking to do something cool this weekend, then this is for you.
The Caprices offers one last chance to enjoy the snow-sweet-snow, before unwinding post-ski with a beer or a glass of wine and listening to some of the grooviest music around. The festival is a hang-out for a younger crowd that wants to enjoy music, sun and snow.
And if you really want to make an impression with the socialites, check out Chanel’s Swiss hand-crafted skis in compressed cherry-wood and azure stain. If money is no object, they sure would look lovely with your snow bunny outfit.