BUSINESS CONTACTS

Mobile phones for hire can be found at Rent@phone (Tel: 717 8263, Email: geneva@rentophone).

Office rental is provided by Blandonnet International Business Centre (Tel: 732 0755, Email: info@cgssa.ch). Secretarial services are available from Multi Personnel (Tel: 732 0350).

LOCAL PRESS

The Tribune de Genéve is Geneva’s main local paper and features all the latest listings for local and regional events. Its website (www.tdeg.ch) also contains an English Corner which provides the day’s local news in English, along with some of the more popular listings. WRG is the local English-language radio station and can be found at 88.4 FM. In addition to broadcasting the BBC World Service, WRG provides coverage of local news, sports, entertainment and events.

INTERNET

Internet cafés have sprung up all over Geneva. Close to the train station are Las Vegas Mont-Blanc Cyberland, Rue du Mont-Blanc 26 (Tel: 738 5744), and Open Vidéo, Rue des Alpes 19 (Tel: 731 1321). Elsewhere, try Cyber-Café 3000, Rue Henri-Christiné 2 (Tel: 320 7455), or CyberCafé Genève, Place des Augustins 19 (Tel: 807 3087).

MONEY

The currency is the Swiss franc (CHF), but Euros are widely accepted although exchange rates may not be the most competitive. Most bureaux de change do not charge commission and the rate is rarely beaten by banks. American Express, Diners’ Club, Visa, Eurocard and MasterCard are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops.

TIPPING ETIQUETTE

Taxi fares, hotels and restaurant prices are calculated to include tax and service, so tipping isn’t necessary but is always welcome as a reward for good service.

VISA/VACCINATION

For short trips, EU nationals and US, Canadian, Australian and Japanese passport holders do not need a visa. Citizens of other countries should check with their local Swiss consulate. Visas are required for stays of more than three months, and travellers should make sure their visas allow them to re-enter after visiting neighbouring countries such as France or Italy. No vaccinations are required for Switzerland.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

14th April (2006) — Good Friday
17th April (2006) — Easter Monday
25th May (2006) — Ascension
5th June (2006) — Pentecost
1st August — Swiss National Day
7th September— Jeûne Genèvois
25th December — Christmas Day
31st December— Restauration Genèvoise

WEATHER AND CLIMATE

The climate is very temperate and mild, with average temperatures of 10C in winter. In spite of the surrounding snow-capped mountains, it rarely falls below -2C, even on the chilliest of days. During the summer months, the average temperature is 23C, but on hotter days the mercury hits the high 20sC and even early 30sC. Locals claim to be sensitive to local winds, namely the bise, a very cold northerly wind which predominates in winter, and the föhn, a warm and dry WEATHER AND CLIMATE

The climate is very temperate and mild, with average temperatures of 10C in winter. In spite of the surrounding snow-capped mountains, it rarely falls below -2C, even on the chilliest of days. During the summer months, the average temperature is 23C, but on hotter days the mercury hits the high 20sC and even early 30sC. Locals claim to be sensitive to local winds, namely the bise, a very cold northerly wind which predominates in winter, and the föhn, a warm and dry

SUGGESTED READING

Calvin’s Geneva, by E William Monter, John Wiley and Sons.

Geneva, Zurich, Basel: History, Culture and National Identity, by Nicholas Bouvier, Princeton University Press.

The United Nations: Reality and Ideal, by Peter R Baehr.

Images of Geneva, Explorer Publishing.

GETTING INTO TOWN

Airport Geneva Airport is on the northern edge of the city, on the main motorway in the direction of Lausanne.

Train The station at Geneva airport is just 300 metres from the arrivals area. Trains depart frequently and all of them stop at Geneva’s main train station, Cornavin.

It takes less then 10 minutes from the airport to the city centre.

Car hire Visit the Europcar desk on arrival (Tel: 798 1110). The city centre is clearly signposted from the airport and the drive should take around 15 minutes, depending on traffic.

Taxis wait outside the arrivals hall and the trip into the city centre costs CHF 30-50. Bus The number 10 bus goes to the city centre every 10 minutes and the number 18 goes to the United Nations every 30 minutes.