Laila Rodriguez
SWITZERLAND – It might be freezing cold outside but this is no reason to hibernate: Carnival 2012 is here. Guggen and brass bands will take to the streets to celebrate the traditional Carnival, Carnevale, Carnaval, Karneval or Fasnacht.
The Basel Fasnacht rolls through the streets with plenty of brass - Photo Ellen Wallace
While Carnival is not celebrated in canton Geneva, plenty of towns around the Confederation and neighboring France (with its Venetian carnival) join in the celebrations. In 2012 carnival dates range from 8 February to early April, and even early May in the case of Lausanne.
The Basel Fasnacht is billed as the largest carnival in Switzerland, starting at 04:00 the Monday after Ash Wednesday. Over 15,000 costumed participants take to the streets. “The parade route is 7km long, but the city’s population joins in so enthusiastically that there are 14km of people,” reported GenevaLunch from Basel in 2010. (If going to Basel read GenevaLunch’s list of do’s and don’ts), check below for the link to the official website.
Here is Geneva Living’s list of the fun fanfare ahead!
Laila Rodriguez
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Calling all crooners and songstresses who dream of being discovered! The Television Suisse Romande, TSR, is gearing up for what can be described as the Swiss version of “American Idol” by calling all vocalists out there for videotaped auditions in the upcoming weeks.
“We are looking for amateurs, not professionals singers. This casting is open to individual performers, not to groups. All phases of the casting will be filmed,” says the public invite sent by the TSR.
Laila Rodriguez
SWITZERLAND – This year you can catch the XLVI Super Bowl game LIVE on Swiss TV, even if you do not have cable or satellite TV. Just tune to TSR2 at midnight on Sunday 5 February.
This also means that you can go to any sports bar around Switzerland, ask them to tune to TSR2 and watch the game. However, once the bars closes at 2:00 you will be asked to leave.
If you’d rather hang out all night long with a few die-hard fans then visit:
- Mr. Pickwick in Geneva or Mr. Pickwick Basel. The bars will stay open all night long (or until 5:00 on Monday 6 February to be precise), serving hot dogs, chilli, buffalo wings and more
- Darling Pub or Le Zinc in Lausanne
- Bolgenschanze in Davos
Reports that the Super Bowl would be shown at the Marriott in Zurich seem unfounded. A clerk we spoke to said they would not be showing it there this year.
On the eve of this game and being a former resident of Secaucus, NJ (home to Giants Stadium), all I can say is: Let the game begin! And.. Go Giants!
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Laila Rodriguez
Child birthing classes for women who do not speak French well or not at all
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Here’s one great resource for you preggo ladies out there. If you are interested in birthing courses but would rather do so in your native language, and that is other than French, then sign-up for the courses offered by The Midwives Arcade and Appartenances-Geneve.
These two organizations (one which offers services for migrant families and the other an association of independent midwives) offer childbirth courses for women starting on their fourth month of pregnancy. The midwives also offer a meeting with moms and babies after birth and help guide families through the Geneva healthcare system.
Laila Rodriguez
This cute vest was the last on the rack. Original price: CHF590 sold for CHF60
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – We all know that comes January stores slash their prices significantly however, I had almost but forgotten that at the Bon Genie store at the Geneva International Airport January means huge discounts on selected designer clothes. The best, is that the store (as all stores at the airport) is open on Sundays from 10:00 until 20:00.
For those new in town, the Bon Genie (or Bongenie Grieder) is a subtle, understated upmarket department store found in several cities around the country. The airport’s BG store works as a “stockout” center during the January and summer sales so you will find one-of-a-kind items that you will not find at the Rue de Confederation store (see left).
Laila Rodriguez
Kids skiing... two have more fun!
SWITZERLAND – On 22 January the Anzère ski station joins hundreds of ski stations around the globe, and 30 more in Switzerland, for “World Snow Day,” by offering one free day on the slopes.
Children 15 and under will get to ski or snowboard, rent equipment, ride the ski lifts and participate in all outdoor activities planned for the occasion, free of charge.
In other words, kids get to celebrate “all things snow” at selected ski stations thanks to the International Ski Federation and other sponsors.
Laila Rodriguez
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Rain, wind and snow in Switzerland are, unfortunately, the perfect ingredients for avalanches.
Before leaving home for the slopes make sure to check-out the weather and avalanche conditions. Here are a few resources:
- Hazardous conditions, updated maps provided by MeteoSwiss
- Updated weather bulletins, provided by MeteoSwiss in French, German and Italian only
- Updated maps showing dangerous avalanche and snow conditions across the country, provided by the SLF
- Swiss snow reports: Ski, cross-country, sledding, snow-shoeing and weather info, provided by the Swiss tourism office.
Stay safe and dry while enjoying the outdoors!
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Laila Rodriguez
McSorley , Simek, Fritsche, Vukovic and Matte - Photo GSHC
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Geneva hockey fans might find that this season wine and hockey make the right Christmas gift.
La Cave de Genèveand the Geneva-Servette hockey team are teaming up to toast the new year with two wines, a Geneva Gamaret AOC 2010 and a Chardonnay AOC Geneva 2010 aged in oak barrels, featuring photos and bios of the players.
The wines which were presented yesterday 18 December during the Christmas game, are now on sale. Labels have space reserved for autographs and can be easily removed making them de facto collection items.
If this is one of those Geneva Christmas gifts you have to have, you can get them at La Cave de Genève per CHF19.50 a bottle.
The last question remaining is… Do you want McSorley in red or white?
Happy Holidays!
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Laila Rodriguez
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Here’s an excellent idea for when you run out of ideas for what to do with your out-of-town guests: guided walking tours of Geneva.
The Geneva tourism department offers guided walks that range in price from CHF10 for students and seniors, to CHF15 for adults. Free for children under 14 years of age.
Explore Old Town, Carouge, the financial district, or take one of the themed-walks: watch-making history, Calvinism and the city, parks and residences, tales and legends, Rousseau, Henry Dunant & the Red Cross, and in December only, the Escalade with its famous hot soup and hidden trails.
Squeeze through the Passage de Monetier opens only once a year
Exiting the Monetier dressed as back in the day
Tours are offered in French, English and German; Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and other languages available upon request.
Enjoy Geneva in winter!
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Laila Rodriguez
The aim is to finish with a smile (and make others smile too). Here an apprentice reporter was teaching tricks to the bride-to-be.
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Say you forgot to dress up during Halloween and still, however, want to play dress-up. Here comes the Escalade run, well known for its fun, festive atmosphere. (See GL photo album)
If you have never been to one, here’s what you can expect. It takes place the first Saturday of December.
A serious athletes’ race around Geneva’s Old Town takes place in the morning, followed by kids’ races, and adult 3k and 8k races as well as Nordic walking competitions.
Then there are several activities at Bastions Park.