Swimming in Lake Annecy in neighboring France

ANNECY, FRANCE – Kayaking, sailing, rowing, climbing, orienteering, mountain biking and exploring the beautiful outdoors are some of the summer sports activities offered for free by the city of Annecy in neighboring France.

450 spots are offered, primarily for Annecy kids, and to other children willing to engage in fitness activities this summer.

Outings are offered to children aged 5 to 14.

Find all the information for a fun, outdoor summer here.

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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Finding something to do on Sundays in Geneva and surrounding areas seems to be the perennial conundrum for many expats (and a few locals too) who find the area a bit tame on the weekends. Allow me the pleasure then, to bring you a selection of some of the most fun and interesting activities in the Lake Geneva region, and beyond.

Swinging in the outdoors

Just visit the Events page of GenevaLunch where I have posted an eclectic collection of what-to-do-on-Sundays, from antique fairs and flea markets to hiking and Nordic walking.

I hope you enjoy the list and happy Sunday everyone!

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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – If you’re looking for some fun science activities for kids check out the Wednesday afternoons workshops sponsored by the city of Geneva.

Help your kids discover how to measure time without a watch or a clock, in two afternoons.

The first afternoon, activities will take place at the Rath Museum as part of the Geneva Watchmaking exhibition. The second, at the Science History Museum, where kids will try to measure time.

Workshop is for children aged 8 to 11.
Price: CHF20 for the two afternoons.
Registration required: +41 (0) 22 418 25 00 (9:00-12:00) or adp-mah@ville-ge.ch.
Two sessions: 7 & 14 March or 18 & 25 April.

In addition on 28 March, 9 May and 13 June, the museum holds special science sessions for kids and families, free of charge.

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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.

Read more…

Golden owl for sale at one of the flea-markets in Geneva

Lake Geneva region, Switzerland – ‘Tis the season for shopping (second-hand shopping that is). Get your cash and bargaining skills ready as the La Ville est a Vous celebrations in the city of Geneva have begun.

For those new to Geneva let me say this is a celebration not-to-be-missed.

Neighborhoods close some of their streets to vehicle traffic leaving huge spaces for pedestrians to sell and shop. Anyone can sell almost anything, the one golden rule is that the articles cannot be mass-produced new products. To sell perishable food items you must contact the organizers in each of the quartiers.

Selling is on a first-come first-served basis. These are not like the big “open-air brocantes” where professional sellers try to sell you expensive old items, this is a bargain-hunter’s nirvana.

We are talking about mammoth flea-markets.

Hawk your wares, get rid of old stuff, or find a great bargain. Score anything from a DVD to a chair, after rummaging through Florida souvenirs and paintings.

These are family events: ludotheques set-up areas for children to play in; music, dance and theater performances are offered throughout the day and well into the night; and food stalls can be found at each of the neighborhood parties.

Kids, seniors and nature, a winning combination in Geneva

Geneva, Switzerland - Calling all kids: The Botanical Garden’s Green Workshops are on!

If your kid is not registered for any Wednesday activities or you simply want her/him to enjoy nature and interacting with older adults this activity could be just what you are looking for.

Aimed at children aged 8 to 11 years of age, the workshops at the Geneva Botanical Garden seek to instill in smaller kids a love for nature.

Read more…

Letters to Santa mailed in Switzerland reach the thousands- Photopress/Peter Schneider

Geneva, Switzerland – It is not too late to write to Santa! If you’re spending your Christmas somewhere in Switzerland, the Swiss Post service offers special delivery of your letter to Monsieur Santa himself.

“In most cases they receive an answer,” says the Post who reported receiving more than 17,000 letters in 2009.

If you wonder how Santa and the Elves manage the load, the answer is with, not one, but five jolly Santas and several helpers at the Swiss Post.

Why five Santas? One for each of the four national languages: German, French, Italian and Romansch, plus one that speaks English.

Italian speakers can address their letters to the “Gesù Bambino in cielo” or to “Babbo Natale al Polo Nord”; German speakers to “Christkind im Himmel” or the “Samichlaus”; the Swiss post will delivery to either one.

Hurry to the post office; sending a letter to Santa Claus up to 100g costs just 85 centimes.

Tracking Santa Worldwide

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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.

Read more…

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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Watching movies at the theatre for less - Photo Jared Bloch

Geneva, Switzerland – Here’s a deal for any Orange telephone customer or anyone who has a friend who’s an Orange phone customer: Two people watch a movie on any given Tuesday for the price of one. Now, that’s a deal!

The concept is simple: Pick a movie, send a text message and get one free ticket. Only one person needs to be an Orange customer.

See other great deals to save money at the movies in Geneva.

Let’s go to the movies!

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