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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Laila Rodriguez
New route to include small comunes in canton Geneva - click to enlarge
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Prepare to run for a cause! The Geneva Marathon for Unicef, which until now has been staged around the city, has been re-routed to include ten communes in canton Geneva.
In 2010, Benjamin Chandelier, director of the Geneva marathon, said to GenevaLunch that the Organizing Committee wanted to introduce “a single 42km-loop for marathon runners” to attract international marathoners and make it one of the top-15 European marathons by 2015.
Marathon organizers have successfully taken the first step towards that goal and the 2011 race, taking place on 14 and 15 May proves so. The race will begin in Chene-Bourg and will then travel through the surrounding towns of Thonex, Choulex, Puplinge, Presinge, Jussy, Gy, Meinier, Collonge-Bellerive and Cologny before returning to the city and convening near the Palais Wilson.
Laila Rodriguez
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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Laila Rodriguez
Which way to go? - Photo Plinio Galeano
Geneva, Switzerland – The skies are gray, the sort of perpetual gray that sets over Geneva each fall making you want to—hike?
If you are new to the region you have probably heard others say that “once you get out of Geneva the skies are blue.” Well, it is true!
Kick those blues away: grab some peanuts, get your light hikers out and discover evergreen trees up to 500 years old, Alpine gardens, terraced vineyards and even a “celestial world.”
The Swiss tourism office has a list of autumnal walks in the Lake Geneva region, and if you want to go further afield, you can tell their site’s database how long you want to walk and where, with all hikes rated from easy to difficult. Some include visiting castles, so there’s a bit for everyone in the family, and lots of space for your four-legged friend to run.
Laila Rodriguez
Geneva Servette Hockey Club defeats Zug 5 April (photo, ©Piotr Sweck/GSHC)
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Fun-and-free activities are popping up this weekend in Geneva and I can’t help but share them with GL readers.
On one side of the city: skaters, sticks and a puck; on the other, a huge flea-market and street fair; and a mountain biking competition in the middle of town!
Geneva ice hockey team announces free pre-season game
Laila Rodriguez
Geneveroule stand in Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland – For the next 30 days, the city of Geneva is loaning electric bicycles – for free – to everyone who wants to take them for a spin.
A Geneveroule bike-loan booth is located in the intersection of Avenue Wendt and Rue de la Servette and is open seven days a week, from 09:00 to 19:00
The city is encouraging residents to test the electric bikes as an alternative to scooters and motorcycles.
How to get your bike for the day
Laila Rodriguez
Last few days of sales
Geneva, Switzerland – There are two great reasons to shop this week: air conditioning and an 80% discount on selected items at your favorite store.
The picture on your left, says it all. Hot shopping in a cooooool spot.
The last few days of summer sales in Geneva (and across Switzerland) are this week. If you read this late and you’ve missed the sales, you might still catch those in neighboring France where summer sales continue until 11 August.
Happy shopping!
Men on bikes chasing a ball
Laila Rodriguez
Picnic and bikes at the botanical gardens
Geneva and Lausanne, Switzerland – Rain is threatening to break a streak of sunny days and wide open blue skies, but don’t let a few drops keep you in as there’s plenty to do this weekend, and for free! Here are my selections.
Laila Rodriguez
Great outdoor entertainment for all
Geneva, Switzerland – The warm season is upon us which can only mean one thing: it is time to take yourself and your family outdoors. Switzerland is a great place for outdoor activities but with so much to do it can get difficult to navigate through all the information available.
No worries, the Swiss office of tourism has laid out a listing that lets you pick a region, say the Alps or Geneva, level of difficulty and time requirement, (among other criteria), to help you fully enjoy your Swiss experience.
You may decide you want to combine hiking and dining, or touring a specific region while someone else carries your luggage. It doesn’t matter what your cuppa tea is, this is your one-stop site for everything you always wanted to know about hiking and trekking but were too afraid to ask!
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In addition, find out what else is up in the Lake Geneva region through my Twitter channel.
Laila Rodriguez
A mix of snow and sun on the Valais
Valais, Switzerland – The Crans-Montana ski and music festival known as the Caprices Festival is the place to be, to see and to be seen this weekend. If you are one of those white-powder-and-ski lovers, or simply are looking to do something cool this weekend, then this is for you.
The Caprices offers one last chance to enjoy the snow-sweet-snow, before unwinding post-ski with a beer or a glass of wine and listening to some of the grooviest music around. The festival is a hang-out for a younger crowd that wants to enjoy music, sun and snow.
And if you really want to make an impression with the socialites, check out Chanel’s Swiss hand-crafted skis in compressed cherry-wood and azure stain. If money is no object, they sure would look lovely with your snow bunny outfit.