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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La ville est a vous or Geneva neighborhood flea markets and outdoor parties return for twelve weekends between May and September 2012

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – To the delight of many Geneva residents the  popular neighborhoods flea markets / public outdoor parties return.

The La Ville est à vous, also known as the city’s Fêtes de rues, is an event for citizens to “take back the streets,” using the public space for their enjoyment.

For its ninth edition, the city, through neighborhood associations, organizes 12 street fairs between May and September.

The fairs offer outdoor concerts, art performances, food stalls, a flea market in designated streets, and outdoor ludotheques or children’s play areas.

Anyone can set up shop on the streets and sell everything from bicycle parts to clothes you no longer fancy.

Read more…

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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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…

Swimming instructor at the Bains de Paquis

Geneva, Switzerland – It is hot! Perfect time to swim outdoors, but, where? Well, when it comes to finding a “beach” in Geneva, Paquis seems to come first to mind, but of course there are plenty more options.

In fact, there are officially 14 public beaches in Canton Geneva, several with picnic areas and a few with camping areas, and 116 beaches around the Lake including France.

How to find them?

Here’s our list which includes points of access for boats to the Lake.

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.

Cross-country skiing with the family

Geneva, Switzerland – Dear readers I know I sound like I am always looking to save a penny. Well, that is because… I am. Especially, when it comes to skiing with kids and teenagers in tow.

Here’s a resource for those looking to have a fun day in the snow for not-so-much.

The Switzerland tourism department has compiled a list of small and medium-sized family-oriented ski resorts across the country, that offer day family passes (up to two adults and two kids) for CHF120 or less.

For example the Attinghausen resort offers a day pass for two adults and two kids for a total of CHF79; in Aeschi when two adults pay a full fee of CHF33, each child pays only CHF10, and in Mürren all children in the family are free with one paying adult. Now, that’s a deal!

Follow the link to the Family day passes and family-friendly ski pass website and enjoy!

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Find the snow and go sledding this weekend

Geneva, Switzerland – Tired of the rain and looking for the snow? Here’s a resource that could help you find the powder, pronto.

I am talking about a one-stop website featuring information on every ski station in the country, with up-to-date info on snow fall, accumulation, number of trails and lifts open and entry fees for children and adults.

Best of all, it also features free options, where available, in each of the regions.

The site is easy to navigate. Follow our link, pick a region and then click on the resort name.

All the information at your fingertips!

• Swiss snow reports: Ski, cross-country, sledding, snow-shoeing and weather info.

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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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The Ariana museum in Geneva, guided tours

Geneva, Switzerland – Here’s another bargain I found to add to my list of “free or low-cost” Geneva resources.

Free English-speaking guided tours are now available at the Art and History Museum, one of the oldest in the city of Geneva as well as at the Rath Museum, which recently reopened and at the beautiful Ariana Museum.

The 2010 sessions have been scheduled as follows: Read more…