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
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
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.
Laila Rodriguez
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.
- Plainpalais : 14 May 2011
- Acacias : 22 May 2011 (returns)
- Geisendorf : 28-29 May 2011 (returns)
- Petit-Saconnex : 4-5 June 2011 (new)
- Eaux-Vives : 11-12 June 2011
- Saint-Jean : 25-26 June 2011
- Concorde : 27 August 2011 (returns)
- Jonction : 3-4 September 2011
- Europe : 10-11 September 2011 (new)
Around Lake Geneva
Laila Rodriguez
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.
Laila Rodriguez
Geneva, Switzerland – If your teens are staying in Geneva during the summer holidays then the prospect of a seasonal job may be of interest.
Every year the city and the canton of Geneva offer summer jobs that include up to 350 activities. All jobs are offered for a maximum of three weeks beginning on or after 20 June and ending 26 August.
Applicants must meet three requirements to qualify:
Laila Rodriguez
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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Laila Rodriguez
Free movies under the stars in Geneva - Photo Didier Jordan
Geneva, Switzerland – My quest for bargains, cheaper prices, and free, fun events in Geneva, finds me again by Lake Geneva’s shores. Today’s key word: Ciné Transat.
Ciné Transat is a city-sponsored nocturnal hangout that offers free movies under the stars and by the lake, near the Perle du Lac restaurant. An incredible setting for a fun summer activity for all.
While the movies are not new blockbusters, they are a collection of classic films that take on new meaning when watching them under the stars – and over a picnic blanket – with friends and family.
Some movies are for adults only, but most are suitable for all.
The only necessary item is you, and sometimes, a costume.
Laila Rodriguez
Argentinian circus at Bastions Park
Geneva, Switzerland – For the past three weeks, kids and grown-ups who love the circus arts have been gathering at Bastions Park to watch free performances, take free circus lessons, listen to free concerts, and enjoy the weather.
Every Wednesday to Sunday at 20:00 performers from as far away as Australia, Argentina and Japan – as well as from Switzerland and neighbouring France, entertain the crowd at the Park.
Among the jewels who will be performing in the coming weeks are Dutch performers bringing “circus jazz,” Swiss performing contemporary acrobatic dance, mimes from Japan, and a Chilean tightrope-walker who will render his version of a Jean Genet piece on the rope. (See the full program here).
Laila Rodriguez
The time of the year to buy and sell to your heart's content
Geneva, Switzerland – The incredible Sotheby’s sale this past week took most of my shopping attention, but after seeing up close those 6- to 52-carat diamonds and rare watches going for millions of dollars, I decided to turn my short attention span to another kind of more affordable vintage shopping: flea markets.
This weekend 15-16 May, the City of Geneva begins its neighborhood parties and flea-markets labeled under the city-is-yours slogan or la ville est a vous. Anyone who is not a professional seller can go early, throw down a blanket or set up a stall, and sell his/her “own vintage collection” and I mean, anything in your vintage collection. The space is free.
Grottes, first fair: