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).
Just a couple of days ago I found a great Lanvin dress for nearly CHF100, a beautiful Max Mara dress for CHF80 a SEE by Chloé dress for under CHF200 and other great prices.
Although most of the sizes left are small, there are also a few medium and large sizes left and some men’s clothes as well.
Happy shopping!
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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 – 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
Christmas in Switzerland, enjoy the outdoor markets
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – It is an American tradition that no sooner has Thanksgiving ended than Christmas sales begin. Switzerland, minus the turkey, does its own version of Christmas shopping right around the same time.
The beautiful outdoor Christmas markets start taking place this weekend; some of them run through late December.
Laila Rodriguez
CAROUGE, SWITZERLAND – The beautiful cité sarde of Carouge, which according to Fodor’s owes its beautiful architecture to Turin authorities, goes all out for Christmas.
The Christmas lights are not the only attraction:
- It also opens 130 of its shops for shopping on Sundays: 27 November, 4, 11 and 18 December
- The Advent market takes place 27 November on Market Square
- It holds is annual Christmas Telethon on 3 December on Market Square
- The outdoor Christmas market takes place from 16-18 December also on Market Square
- The ice-skating rinks opens from December to February at the Sardaigne Plaza, skating is free
Have yourself a great end-of-year holiday season.
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Laila Rodriguez
The Staches at BAG - Photo BAG ©Christophe Losberger 2011
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – If you like live music, and have an appreciation for blues, then, you’ll love this resource.
The Geneva Blues Association, BAG in French, a Swiss non-profit dedicated to “preserving and advancing the exchange of blues between the English and French communities,” opens its doors to Blues enthusiasts Mondays and Thursdays.
Better still, paid shows are affordable; CHF25 for “special eves”, CHF15 otherwise; kids with the 20ans/20francs card pay only CHF10, members get in free to all concerts, while the Monday jam sessions are free for all.
Laila Rodriguez
Plainisphare music collection in Vich
VICH, SWITZERLAND – Jeff Duplain and Rolf Knüsel know about music, love it, produce it, collect it and sell it. Tons and tons of it. However, the two aging friends, have decided to close their shop, opened in 1974, and call it quits.
With the closing of their shop, about 60,000 CDs and a few remaining DVDs have been put on sale at their two-story store in Vich, near Gland.
Most of the music for sale is Jazz, but there are also hundreds of Blues, R&B, Gospel, World, Tango and Classical music CDs in stock.
Their collection, considered one of the best in Switzerland, is for sale for several reasons: the economic crisis, competition from Internet sales and downloads, and a “choking grip of major retailers in the market,” the friends said recently to the local press.
Although the sale began in September there is still plenty of ‘gold’ in their musical chest.
Rolf Knüsel told us they are “still clearing CDs and DVDs.”
“For those who come to our location, we drop the price 50%. Just please let us know before coming by,” he said.
Visit their website: http://www.plainisphare.ch/Plain/plain.htm#1
Laila Rodriguez
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – This Sunday 16 October the largest second-hand items sale takes place at the Sacre Coeur Church in Plainpalais from 13:00 to 17:00.
Bikes, roller blades, snow boards, skis, books in English (and French, German and Spanish) for children and adults, video games, DVDs, hundreds of toys and board games, strollers, cribs and top quality baby equipment, as well as clothing and shoes for children and women, can be found under one roof.
If you are new in town and have never been to one of the bi-annual sales, think of reading our survival and reference guide to the sale before heading there.
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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
Geneva, Switzerland - Get to know canton Geneva and stay fit while doing so the first weekend of the month from April to September: bike on Saturdays, or walk on Sundays.
This year bike to some of the hidden mansions in Champel or discover the lost trees of the quartier de St. Jean.
On Sundays discover the quartier des artistes, hidden gardens in Geneva and more.
There is no fee but it is recommended to sign up to reserve a spot.
There are usually English speakers in the group. Most of the bike rides are open for those 14 and up.
Saturdays by bike, Sundays by foot.
Links to: Samedies du vélo, and Dimanches au pied.
Don’t forget the sunscreen and a raincoat!
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