Tours

Geneva City Tour and Visit of Patek Philippe Museum (Half day tour)

Date: Friday, June 3 OR Saturday, June 4
Time: Friday, 13.00–17.00 or Saturday, 09.00–13.00
Price: Included with registration for Accompanying Persons. Please note that the tour is available on either Friday, 3 June or Saturday, 4 June. Congress participants can book this tour at a cost of Euro (€) 43

This fascinating tour highlights the worldwide organisations that make the headlines, the headquarters of the Red Cross, the United Nations, the International Labour Office, and the European Council for Nuclear Research. Geneva is also the city of Calvin and a stop will be made at the reformation Monument of the eminent clergy who called this centre of faith the ”Protestant Rome”. In the Old City, that stands above the lake, a maze narrow cobbled streets lead to the Town Hall and the cannons that defended Geneva against the Savoyards. Sights include St. Peter’s Cathedral, antique shops, art galleries, colourful student bistros, and museums. Patek Philippe Museum is home to the prestigious creations of the Geneva-based firm of master watchmakers, which was founded in 1839. Discover how a passion for timepieces has brought together an extraordinary display of watches, musical automata and portrait miniatures from the 16th to the 19th century, in addition to a library dedicated entirely to horology and its related subjects.

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Visit to Carouge and Chocolate Tasting (Half day tour)

Date: Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5
Time: Saturday, 14.00–18.00 and Sunday 09.00–13.00
Price: Euro (€) 80

Built in 18th century by the King of Piedmont-Sardinia, Carouge has a distinct Mediterranean feel to it. Located only a few kilometres from Geneva city centre, Carouge is very popular with visitors as well as the local population. This friendly and very picturesque little town is a true haunt for artists and craftsmen, fashion boutiques, small bistros and gourmet restaurants. The visit starts with a small introduction in the private garden of the City Hall and continues through the streets and architecture of the Sardinian town. The visit includes the catholic church, the only baroque church of Canton Geneva; the surprising protestant church, some secret gardens and promenade in the main streets, where there is a concentration of craftsmen: clockmaker (in the Guinness book), weaver, glass blower, stylists, etc. To make the visit more relaxed, we will organize a chocolate tasting. Switzerland is the country of chocolate.

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Visit to Lausanne (Half day tour)

Date: Sunday, June 5
Time: 13.00–17.00
Price: Euro (€) 65

“I love Lausanne, its towers and mountains reflected in the lake like tiara of rare jewels”. So wrote the romantic British poet Lord George Byron in the 19th century. And so agree those today who visit the hilly city that offers the hustle and bustle of a commercial centre, as well as wild flowers and lush meadows, interwoven throughout the city’s parks and rustic surroundings, half hidden among the hilltops. For the people of Lausanne it is the quality not quantity that counts. Each street, district, park, museum and shop attempts to outshine the other. And as for fun, both night and day, the city considers itself second to none in variety. The port of Ouchy, on the lake, has everything a Mediterranean seaside resort can offer: terraces with panoramic views, yachting regattas and pleasure steamers, swimming and fishing no more than thirty yards from the shore. In Lausanne, home of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the winters are equally important and enjoyable: skating, curling, and nearby cross-country and Alpine skiing. The tour will include the modern commercial centre, the Supreme Court of Switzerland, the Old Town with its historic buildings such as the University, the magnificent 13th century Gothic Cathedral and the 14th century Château St. Maire with its ”Disneyland” towers and turrets. Through Ouchy, the tour will also show the areas of the harbour of Lausanne with its splendid view of the Chablais Mountains and the Roman ruins. A visit to the Olympic Museum is included in the visit to Lausanne.

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Excursion to Gstaad and Gruyere (Full day tour)

Date: Monday, June 6
Time: 09.00–17.00
Price: Euro (€) 98

On this day, the participants will take a beautiful ride to the exclusive resort Gstaad. On the return by coach they will make a stop in Gruyere to discover this beautiful medieval village with its castle and famous cheese. After this visit the group will go back to Geneva. A guided walking tour will be arranged to discover the beautiful village of Gstaad and learn a bit more about this famous resort. You will then have some time to appreciate this place, do some shopping in the luxury boutiques or simply have a drink and relax on one of the terraces of the main street. The journey will then be continued to Gruyeres, a beautiful small medieval village nestled on the top of a tiny mountain just north of Lake Geneva and south of Berne. This is such a unique and charming little town that it is considered a national monument and its architectural purity is protected by the Swiss government. Gruyere, as you probably guessed from the name of the town, is located in the centre of one of Switzerland’s famous dairy areas the cheese and creams are marvellous. Stop for a famous Gruyere’s quiche or if in the season, fresh berries and cream.

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