BOOKS AROUND.....

Living in Switzerland?

Recently I did a cleaning in my books. I had some to give! When do you read again a book? Maybe someone can read, maybe in another country. Maybe someone can have the same emotions than you or give a chance to someone share a good book.

Don du Livre is collecting books until September 19th @FNAC - www.facebook.com/dondulivre/

ART AROUND.....

Geneva & Art!

If you are around, don't miss this event!

The expected La Nuit de Bains is coming up next September 15th! 

Taking place three times per year - March, May and September in the Quartier des Bains, this event permits to discover new art in an atmosphere of a street party that people socialize weaving in and out of galleries. 

Each of the participating galleries inaugurates a new exhibition while all the museums stay open until 9pm. Located in a concentrated area, the galleries are all within a short walking distance of each other. 

This is Geneva, after all.
www.quartierdesbains.ch

GENEVA

The lake, the mountains, summertime ending and the last moments to enjoy the nature and terraces of the city and neighborhood. 

Some habits of the 'genevois' in summertime:

• Eat outside! Even if inside is fresher, people need to enjoy any single moment of sun. 
• Make reservation in terraces of restaurants with almost one month before..... A question: how they know that the weather will be nice and they will want to eat that kind of food that day? I have no idea!!!!!
• Aperitif in the sidewalk of the lake facing the Mont-Blanc. It's amazing!!!!
• Take sun everywhere: parks, streets, lake, 'bains'
• Breakfast and brunch during the weekend @Bains des Pâquis.

To enjoy that time of the year, my suggestions are there for you:


Lakeside:

Yatch Club de Genève - A nice terrace and a varied menu. www.ycg.ch

Bains des Pâquis - The view is wonderful and the ambiance is festive. Eat a salad and speak to your neighbor or just have your breakfast Sunday morning enjoying the peace of that moment. www.bains-des-paquis.ch

Nautique - Great terrace, but need to be a member of the club! Hamburger and Filet de Perche from the lake are some of the options! www.nautique.ch

Carouge: 

Paku Paku - An authentic Japanese  restaurant that serves a Bento box on lunch time. The food is incredibly delicious and the service is fantastic. www.pakupaku.ch


Qu'importe for tapas & drinks - www.quimporte.ch

Center:

Izumi - The most expensive Japanese restaurant of the city has a terrace on the last floor of the Four Seasons hotel and the chef was the former chef of NOBU in London. The menu is delicious, it is worth the price! 
www.fourseasons.com/geneva/dining/restaurants/izumi

Fouad - Just in the center, Fouad opens his second restaurant after has been worked for many years in the Lebanese restaurant of the hotel Richmond. The food is delicious and without mention the sympathy of the owner. The terrace is not the best of the city as cars pass just in front. www.fouadtraiteur.ch

Relais d'entrecôte - The famous restaurant that serves only a plate, has a nice terrace and a delicious meat with Café de Paris sauce! www.relaisentrecote.fr

Not in the center, but Geneva anyway...

Auberge Lion D'Or - The view from the terrace is breathtaking! The food and service are fantastic. Choose the Bistrot sideband don't miss the 'pão de queijo' by Gilles. www.dupont-byrne.ch


And the countryside... that is my favorite spot!

Auberge Cheval Blanc - Carre d'Aval @Menier - The terrace is incredible with a view of the vineyard and the sunset inspires to a nice aperitif before dinner.
www.chevalblancmeinier.ch

Collonge Café - Located @Collonge Bellerive this Italian restaurant doesn't disappoint! I consider myself an expert on Italian food.... A very nice garden and a beautiful decoration. 
www.collonge-cafe.ch

TRAVELLING AROUND

I was wondering about travelling, how to organize a trip!

Many friends of mine ask me often tips about hotel, restaurants, what to visit, the latest spots.... Maybe you think that I travelled around the world, .... not yet! 

Years ago, a journalist friend of mine asked some tips from Barcelona. A few weeks after my tips were in the newspaper!!! She said that she had the feeling to know the city before arriving just reading my tips! At that time, I didn't have any idea that one day I would write a blog!!!

Travel for me begins when the decision where to go was taken! I particularly love the 'pre' trip and I think that it is part of the trip when you arrive and know the place! 

Internet made a revolution in organization of a trip, sometimes can confuse us with the quantity of options. Then, take care, organize items by the subject.

In my opinion, the www.skyscanner.com gives a good idea of flights considering prices and connections. Don't forget to check in the net if the place that you are thinking to travel needs a visa!

Hotels, apartments, houses. Internet gives us a large opportunity to search places comparing prices. Take time to study the city that you are planning to visit and decide where you want to stay. There are so many sites and among that I like: www.booking.com , www.i-escape.com , www.homelidays.com , www.mrandmrssmith.com and www.airbnb.com

Guides.... A lot of people think that it is expensive and/or useless. Personally , I think that can give you an upgrade to your trip. Use internet guide as www.lonelyplanet.com, www.cntraveller.com, www.fodors.com . You can also buy them on your Kindle, did you ever think about?

Need to rent a car? Skyscanner has also the best deals. Use it!

The luggage! Almost everybody panics when the subject is luggage. Living in one city and my beloved in another, I became minimalist about what to bring on

a trip. Travelling is our routine as well as luggage. We use to wear 1/3 of what we bring, do you notice that? Choose comfortable shoes and be smart depending on the seasons that you are travelling.

I wish you good luck for the next time that you organize a trip, use your network of friends to have some tips about restaurants and check www.tripadvisor.com.