NATGEOTRAVEL.COMChocolate, cheese, and watches. Geneva, a capital
of commerce (considered the sixth largest financial
center in Western Europe), is often dismissed as a
sleepy metropolis, but the Swiss city—home to a
staggering number of international organizations
that include the World Health Organization, World
Economic Forum, Red Cross, andDoctorsWithout
Borders—is shaking off its buttoned-up reputation.DOWNTIME
GENEVA
On the Town
Locals reveal how to
let loose in the Swiss
center of finance
By Kelly DiNardoThere is an energetic undercurrent of cocktail bars,
creative ethnic fare, and unique museums mixed in
with the classic grande dame hotels, luxe boutiques,
and impressive churches. This, along with the back-
drop of Lake Geneva and the Alps, makes it increasingly
appealing to stick around after-hours. For a mix
of colorful and classic, posh and slightly bohemian
activities, we turned to a few Genevois.LUIGIAThis pizzeria has a cos-
mopolitan yet low-key
atmosphere. It caters to a
mix of U.N. types, yuppies,
graphic artists, Russian
heiresses, and just regular
Genevois. And it’s super
central, so no need to drive
after too much vino rosso.CERNHome to the world’s
most powerful particle
accelerator, which is how
scientists found the Higgs
boson, the “God particle.”
The place will make you
want to find your old VHS
cassette of Back to the
Future. Reserve tours early.BEAU-RIVAGEThe most romantic hotel in
Geneva. It is an old-world
palace, recently updated,
and has many tales. Sisi,
the beloved Empress of
Austria, was staying here
when she was assassinated
outside the hotel in 1898. It
has a sublime atrium.OLD TOWNThere are some fantastic
shops in Old Town. Theo-
dora is a tiny perfume shop
that sells scents hard to
find elsewhere. Tschin-Ta-
Ni is a funny little place that
sells all kinds of Chinese
tea. It really belongs in a
Woody Allen movie.PHILIPPE
CRAMERDESIGNER,
PHILIPPE CRAMER
FURNITURE AND HOME
ACCESSORIESNATGEOTRAVEL.COMChocolate, cheese, and watches. Geneva, a capital
of commerce (considered the sixth largest financial
center in Western Europe), is often dismissed as a
sleepy metropolis, but the Swiss city—home to a
staggering number of international organizations
that include the World Health Organization, World
Economic Forum, Red Cross, andDoctorsWithout
Borders—is shaking off its buttoned-up reputation.DOWNTIME
GENEVA
On the Town
Locals reveal how to
let loose in the Swiss
center of finance
By Kelly DiNardoThere is an energetic undercurrent of cocktail bars,
creative ethnic fare, and unique museums mixed in
with the classic grande dame hotels, luxe boutiques,
and impressive churches. This, along with the back-
drop of Lake Geneva and the Alps, makes it increasingly
appealing to stick around after-hours. For a mix
of colorful and classic, posh and slightly bohemian
activities, we turned to a few Genevois.LUIGIAThis pizzeria has a cos-
mopolitan yet low-key
atmosphere. It caters to a
mix of U.N. types, yuppies,
graphic artists, Russian
heiresses, and just regular
Genevois. And it’s super
central, so no need to drive
after too much vino rosso.CERNHome to the world’s
most powerful particle
accelerator, which is how
scientists found the Higgs
boson, the “God particle.”
The place will make you
want to find your old VHS
cassette of Back to the
Future. Reserve tours early.BEAU-RIVAGEThe most romantic hotel in
Geneva. It is an old-world
palace, recently updated,
and has many tales. Sisi,
the beloved Empress of
Austria, was staying here
when she was assassinated
outside the hotel in 1898. It
has a sublime atrium.OLD TOWNThere are some fantastic
shops in Old Town. Theo-
dora is a tiny perfume shop
that sells scents hard to
find elsewhere. Tschin-Ta-
Ni is a funny little place that
sells all kinds of Chinese
tea. It really belongs in a
Woody Allen movie.PHILIPPE
CRAMERDESIGNER,
PHILIPPE CRAMER
FURNITURE AND HOME
ACCESSORIES