Opera Holidays in Geneva, Switzerland

This morning fly to Geneva with Swiss, British Airways and easyJet offering direct flights from a number of different UK airports. On arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the city. Alternatively, you may wish to make your own way to the airport’s station for the quick journey to the centrally located Genève-Cornavin railway station. The remainder of your day is at leisure to get your bearings and begin your exploration of Geneva. (B)

In the cost of your holiday we have included a Geneva City Pass which will be valid for 72 hours. The pass, which provides excellent value for money, will be purchased in advance of your holiday and shared with you before you leave for Switzerland. The Geneva City Pass includes free access to all public transport in the Geneva network (buses, trams, trains and boats) and free of charge, or discounted access, to around 60 activities and attractions including key museums and galleries.

Today you are at leisure to explore Geneva under your own arrangements. Start the day with a morning stroll along the banks of Lake Geneva, known locally as Lac Léman, and admire the Jet d’Eau. Geneva’s iconic water fountain launches a tower of water 140 metres into the sky and, weather permitting, operates year-round. Head to the old town, the largest in Switzerland, to explore a warren of picturesque streets and winding alleyways, lined with pretty boutiques, welcoming cafes and historic homes. Centred on the Cathedral of St Peter, it is possible to climb the clock tower for fine city views. There are a whole host of other things to see and do in Geneva – stroll through Parc des Bastions, take a tour of the Palais des Nations, European headquarters of the United Nations, or discover some of the city’s many museums and galleries which include the Museum of Art and History (MAH), Musée Rath, MAMCO – Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, the Centre for Contemporary Art, Patek Philippe watch museum or Maison Rousseau et Littérature, birthplace of philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This evening enjoy your chosen opera performance at the Geneva Opera House, which seats 1,500 people and is noted for its exceptional acoustics.

• Breakfast

Today you are again at leisure to explore Geneva possibly making further visits to the city’s museums and galleries or heading to the outskirts of the city. For spectacular views over the city, canton of Geneva, the Jura Mountains and, on a clear day, even Mont Blanc, ascend Mont Salève. Although on French soil, Mont Salève is very much considered Geneva’s own mountain and regular buses run from the city centre to the Salève cable car which whisks you up to the summit in a little over five minutes. Aside from the views there are several hiking trails, some well-marked and others more intrepid. Another popular option is to head to the town of Carouge, now enveloped by Geneva. With boutiques, cafés, markets and tree-lined streets, Carouge bears more than a passing resemblance to an Italian town and is particularly atmospheric at night.

• Breakfast

Spend the morning in Geneva and, later, you will be met and transferred back to Geneva Airport in good time for your flight to the UK. Alternatively, should you prefer, return to the airport by train from Genève-Cornavin railway station.

• Breakfast