Geneva

Switzerland's most cosmopolitan city

Situated at the south-western end of Lac Léman, the country's largest lake, and astride the Rhône, Geneva is the departure point for lake steamers, and only an arrival by water can convey just how well sited the city is, with foreground hills rising to a backdrop of mountains. The river bisects the city, and some refer to the north side as the right bank (rive droit) and the south as the left bank (rive gauche). The city centre is sited on the shore, with the main railway station to the north of the river and the Old Town (vieille ville) to the south.

Food & Drink:
Swiss cuisine is varied. The great speciality is fondue, the delicious concoction of Gruyère and Vacherin cheese, melted and mixed with white wine, flour, Kirsch and a little garlic. Other cheese specialities are Emmental and Tête de Moine. Regional specialities include viande sechée (dried beef or pork) from Valais and the Grisons where it is called Bündnerfleisch. The meat is cut wafer thin, with pickled spring onions and gherkins. Papet vaudoir is a delicious dish made from leeks and potatoes. Geneva's great speciality is pieds de porc (pigs feet). Pork sausages or salami come in a variety of local recipes including Landjäger, Beinwurst, Engadinerwurst, Leberwurst (pâté), Kalbsleberwurst (calf's liver pâté), and Knackerli. Try Rösti (shredded fried potatoes) and Fondue Bourguignonne (cubed meat with various sauces). Cakes and pastries are also varied: Leckerli are Basel specialities (spiced honey cakes topped with icing sugar); in Bern they are decorated with a white sugar bear; Gugelhopf (a type of sponge cake with a hollow centre), Fasnachtküchli (sugar-dusted pastries eaten during Carnival) and Schaffhausen (cream-filled cakes) are also popular. Although there are many self-service snack bars, table service is normal. Drink: A great variety of Swiss wines are available throughout the country. There are also spirits made from fruit, the most popular being Kirsch, Marc, Pflümli and Williams. Swiss beer of a lager type is also available. Bottled mineral water is an accepted beverage, local brands including Henniez and Passuger. Bars/cocktail lounges have table and/or counter service.

Nightlife:
Most major towns and resorts have nightclubs or discotheques with music and dancing, sometimes serving food. There are also cinemas and theatres, and some bars and restaurants have local folk entertainment.

Shopping:
Special purchases include embroidery and linen, Bernse woodcarving, chocolate, cheese, Swiss army knives and luxury handmade clocks and watches. Shopping hours: 0800-1200 and 1330-1830 Monday to Friday; 0800-1200 and 1330-1600 Saturday. Most shops are closed on Monday mornings.