VACATION DETAILS

The charming medieval Old Town of Annecy, France, boasts a stunning setting by a lake of the same name, amid the Alps of Haute Savoie.

Pastel-colored houses with bright flower boxes line the streets, and the most visible landmark, a turreted castle called the Palais de L'Isle is set on an islet in the Canal du Thiou. The Chateau d'Annecy, once home to the counts of Geneva, rises above the old town. It boasts a 12th-century tower, the Tour de la Reine.

A wonderful food market is held on the Boulevard Taine every Saturday 7 am-1 pm, and an antiques and flea market is held in town on the last Saturday of each month 8 am-5 pm.

The city is also worth visiting at any time for its canals, restaurants and beach. Take a boat trip around the lake, departing from the Quai Bayreuth and stopping at the delightful village of Talloires. From May to September, boats also sail across the lake to Menton St. Bernard.

Annecy is 30 mi/50 km south of Geneva and is accessible by train (Gare des Eaux Vives, 90 minutes), bus (Gare Routiere, 70 minutes) or car (Autoroute A41, about 45 minutes).

The highest summit in Western Europe, Courmayeur is a ski-resort haven popular amongst international tourists and more foreign languages spoken here than at any airport. When snow has melted, this village turns into a summer hiking destination. 

Chamonix sits in the shadow of Mont Blanc and offers some of the most challenging skiing in Europe. The town is in the center of a string of villages spread out along a valley cutting deep through the Alps; the village of Argentiere is six miles up the valley, beneath the renowned Grands-Montets slopes, and Les Houches is a small resort a few miles below. The huge variety of on- and off-piste skiing in Chamonix attracts all levels of skiers, and this shows in the sportive atmosphere in the bars and restaurants. Chamonix is known for its ski-hard-party-hard atmosphere and the nightlife won't disappoint. There is a casino for those wishing to try their luck on the tables. Chamonix's other activities include swimming, bathing in Turkish baths, indoor ice skating, and bowling.

Geneva is located between the Alps and the Jura mountains, at the extreme southwest of Switzerland and Lake Geneva. The Rhône and the Arve are the main rivers crossing Geneva. It is the central crossroads of Western Europe. Geneva holds a privileged geographical position and it is only one hour far from Paris or Milan by plane and less than two hours from London, Rome or Madrid. Geneva is a town of Arts and Culture. Its numerous museums and libraries, the Opera, the Orchestra of the Suisse romande have largely contributed, among others, to its development. For nearly twenty years they have been new cultural centers which have been created from old uninhabited buildings, some of which are now preserved as monuments, like the Halles de l’Ile, l’Usine, la Maison des Arts du Grütli.