12 Step Planet: Geneva

When should I go?
Geneva is good all year round. Spring and summer are warm and the gorgeously clear waters of Lac Leman are a great alternative to a beach holiday. By December, Geneva is a winter wonderland and there are a host of ski resorts within an hour’s drive.

What are the touristy things to do?
Take a tour of the Palais des Nations, originally built for the League of Nations and now home to the United Nations. New York might be the official UN headquarters, but according to those in the know, Geneva is where the work gets done. The International Red Cross Museum is worth a visit as well. If your tastes run towards the luxurious, pop into the Patek Philippe museum to admire fancy Swiss timepieces from as far back as the year 1500 up to the present day.

Anything else?
Geneva boasts some beautiful natural scenery. Take a boat trip on the lake and head up to the mountains for beautiful hiking trails. The Botanical Gardens are well worth a visit – 28 hectares with over 16,000 plants from all over the world.

What about eating?
There are more restaurants per capita here than in New York, so you’ll be spoilt for choice. Being home to the UN, there’s lots of variety too. The prices range from cheap and cheerful to exorbitant. Have a look at the menu before popping in.

What should I avoid?
Geneva is a safe city with very little violent crime, although pickpockets are common. Be warned that the strippers in the Paquis red light district are frequently ladies of the night advertising their wares. Rumour has it that a number of the city’s sex workers are men in drag. If that’s not your thing, be wary.

Where can I stay?
The Old Town is the prettiest part of the city, with prices to match. Cornavin, around the train station, is cheaper as well as being close to the lake and the nightlife, although it can get somewhat ‘high-spirited’ after dark.

How much to get tanked?
Geneva isn’t the cheapest city for drunken revelry and the price of booze is comparable to Dublin. A 500ml bottle of beer such as Erdinger will set you back €5.50 to €6. A smarter option is to head to Les Brasseurs opposite the train station. This pub has its own microbrewery. When you find the brew you like best, order a three or five litre bottle to share.

What should I bring home?
A secret Swiss numbered bank account! But failing that, a watch is the obvious choice if you’ve got money to spare. Switzerland is also famous for its chocolates, and Geneva has several speciality stores.

Why should I go?
Geneva has picture-postcard scenery — and its proximity to the Alps with their skiing and hiking trails means it’s the perfect compromise between a city break and an active holiday.

Why should I not go?
Geneva may be home to international movers and shakers, but not of the ‘get up and dance’ kind. This is the birthplace of Calvinism, after all.

What’s my challenge?
Not to blow the budget. Recession or not, there’s plenty of money floating around Switzerland — and Geneva is an expensive city.