Excursions

Geneva, set in some of the most enchanting countryside by Europe’s largest lake, and surrounded by majestic mountains, is the crossroads of people and civilisations, enjoying a privileged situation in the heart of Europe. The city one likes to refer as «the smallest of the great capitals» is linked to the world by a vast network of motorways, airlines and railways. No wonder, then, that this central position has made Geneva an international city, where international organisations, firms, businesses and banks of the whole world rub shoulders. Yet Geneva has managed to retain a human countenance, a rich history, and is proud of its present and confident of its future. Some of the organised excursions provide excellent opportunities for exploring Geneva and its countryside.

A special excursion programme has been arranged for the duration of the Congress. All excursions will leave from and return to Geneva Palexpo Congress Centre, unless stated otherwise. A minimum number of participants (in principle 25) is required for the excursions.
Symporg reserves the right to cancel excursions for which a minimum number of participants have not signed up. In this case you will receive the refund at the Registration desk in Palexpo. The prices indicated are subject to additional charges.
Booking in advance is recommended as on-site availability cannot be guaranteed.
The prices for excursions include: transfers by deluxe motor coaches, multilingual guide, Museum entry tickets, and lunch if mentioned. Please note that the drinks are not included, except for the local wine tasting.

Approximately 2 and half hours
Leaves at 10.00 a.m.
Tour by coach: our guide will show you the harbour, the fountain, the parks, the Old Town (30 minutes walk) dominated by St. Peter’s Cathedral, the Wall of the Reformers, many ancient and modern buildings, the business and banking centre, the international organizations area including the European headquarters of the United Nations.

Approximately 3 and half hours
Leaves at 2.00 p.m.
As you go through the neighbouring countryside, you will discover extremely varied aspects of the nature of our land, the lively banks of the Lake of Geneva, the wild and often sheer banks of the Arve and Rhône rivers, areas set aside for farming, winegrowing, plant-growing, tree farming and market gardening, dotted with sturdy houses which, from a historical point of view, retrace the Episcopal periods of the Reform, not to mention quaint farms which bear witness to past and present activity in the countryside.
Visits to a chapel, a wine-grower and a wine cellar with an opportunity to taste local wines will round at the comments provided by our guide.

Approximately 2 and half hours
Leaves 2.00 p.m.
Direction Palais des Nations, the second largest UN centre in the world after the New York headquarters. The educational value is enhanced by the setting: magnificent view of the city, Lake of Geneva and the Mont-Blanc massif, and the originality of the Palais due to its architecture and interior decoration (artistic gifts from many countries). The excursion continues with a visit to the Red Cross Museum located nearby. The Museum features unforgettable images with avant-garde music in the background: documents, photos, original films, various audio-visual productions and other slide shows, which allow you to experience and share the extraordinary adventure of men and women committed for over a century to their mission of serving mankind.

Approximately 3 hours
Leaves at 9.00 a.m.
It leads you through the Parc des Bastions with its famous «Mur des Réformateurs», and through the old town. Then you visit the Patek Philippe’s Watch Museum, where you can admire the Geneva and European collections of watches, snuffboxes, jewels and miniature portraits: the history of time-keeping from 1550 to 1950.

Leaves at 9.30 a.m. for Lausanne
Tour of the Olympic Museum, an interactive display which pays tribute to Olympism and the spirit of excellence. Lakeside lunch of local specialities. In the afternoon, tour of the Hermitage Museum, which is famous for its temporary exhibitions of paintings from the 19th and early 20th centuries, and tour of the old town of Lausanne. Return to Geneva by 5.00 p.m.

Leaves at 9.00 a.m.
Trip through the Vaud countryside to Romainmôtier, the site of the founding in the 5th century of the oldest monastery in Switzerland, in the heart of the Jura mountain range bordering France.
Tour of the Roman church, built between the 10th and 13th centuries. After a light lunch, excursion resumes. As we continue on across the mountains, we will have an unexpected view of the beautiful Lac de Joux, at an altitude of 1000 meters. Free time to admire the landscape and the quaint farms. Return by Marchairuz Pass (altitude 1447 m.) featuring a breathtaking panorama of the Lake of Geneva basin, the Alps and Mont-Blanc. Wine-tasting in a wine cellar in the La Côte area and return to Geneva by 6.00 p.m.

You might need a Visa to visit France and/or return to Switzerland
Departure at 9.00 a.m.
A 90 minutes bus drive through the picturesque Arve Valley takes you from Geneva to Chamonix, one of the most famous mountain villages at the foot of the remarkable and majestic Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe. A cable car (approx. 20 minutes) will take you to the “Aiguilles du Midi”, a rocky peak nearly 4 000 m. high facing the Mont-Blanc. The view from the summit offers a breathtaking panorama of the Chamonix valley and the highest mountains of the Swiss, French and Italian Alps.
A typical Savoyard lunch will be served. The afternoon is free for shopping in Chamonix.
Return around 6 p.m.

Departure at 9.00 a.m.
The tour will depart by bus for Gruyères, a typical Swiss village. A visit of the cheese factory will be followed by a tour of the picturesque village. Lunch will be followed by a stroll through this magnificent medieval town dominated by its castle and 15th century ramparts. Then on to Chillon castle, built on a rocky island, surrounded by mountains.
Return around 5.30 p.m.

You might need a Visa to visit France and/or return to Switzerland
Departure: 9.00 a.m.
Departure by bus for Annecy, France, small city lying along the wonderful lake of the same name. Annecy was built during the 13th to the 17th century, almost on the lake, and therefore has a lot of small canals. Its old town is one of the nicest in all Haute-Savoie. Lunch in one of the famous restaurants along the water, guided visit of the old town and the chateau.
Return around 5.30 p.m.

Departure 8.30 a.m.
Departure from Geneva by bus through the famous vineyards along the lake, stop at Château de Chillon for a short visit and quick lunch. At Visp, boarding the rack railway up to Zermatt, a delightful village at the foot of the Matterhorn. Overnight in a fourstar hotel. Second day, excursion to: Gornergrat, the highest open air railway in Europe, lunch at a typical mountain restaurant.
Return to Geneva in the evening.

Departure at 8.30 a.m.
Departure to Montreux, boarding the famous Berner Oberland train, lunch on board, arrival in Gstaad, the world-known village. Short visit and continuation to Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Overnight in Bern, visit of the old city, the Federal Square and the Clock Tower. Lunch in a typical restaurant of the Old Town, return to Geneva with a short stop in the country.

Neither SPINEWEEK nor Symporg SA accepts liability for damages and/or losses of any kind which may be incurred by congress participants or by any person accompanying them, both during the official activities and the excursions.
Participants are advised to contract insurance against loss, accidents or damage which could occur during the congress.