We recently visited Basel in Switzerland and had a fantastic time enjoying their Christmas markets. Other than our 4 hour stopover in Zurich last summer, we still have no explored much of Switzerland. For more inspiration we've posted this article, which was shared with us highlighting some travel tips about visiting Geneva.

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When thinking about city break destinations, Geneva in Switzerland might not be the first to spring to mind, but if you want a trip with a difference, then you should certainly consider visiting this fantastic city. Situated on the shores of Europe's biggest Alpine lake, Geneva is home to some of the most picturesque mountain views you'll ever see, while its role in international politics and trade keep it at the cutting edge of world culture. Sound like something you might be interested in? Read on for our top tips on staying in Geneva.

Sightseeing

A huge part of the charm of Geneva is in its varied and at times contradictory landscape; sleek, modern buildings mark the city out as the international and political centre that it is, while the picturesque beauty of the old town and of course, the beautiful Lake Geneva, paint a much softer, more romantic picture. Get a feel for the variety of Geneva's cityscape by exploring it on foot. Window shop in the luxury boutiques, explore winding alleys and antique shops in the old town and take a boat tour of the lake – it can all be achieved in one day's tour of the city.

No trip to Geneva would be complete without a visit to its famed Horloge Fleurie, or ‘Flower Clock'. Built in 1955, the Flower Clock is a living tribute to Switzerland's history of timepiece craftsmanship, and there are over 6500 plants set inside the clock's face.

Eating out

From cafes to upmarket restaurants, there's plenty of dining options on offer in Geneva. If you're looking for the best of the best, we'd recommend Le Lion d'Or. Fine wines and delicious seafood creations are always the order of the day, but expect prices to match the high quality food. For a slightly cheaper option, try the neighbouring bistro, which has a beautiful flowery garden.

If you're looking for something a little more affordable but no less stylish, then head to Omnibus. Don't let the graffiti-covered exterior of this industrial-inspired bar, café and restaurant fool you: inside you'll find luxuriously decked out rooms and plenty of quirky features – the business card is a recycled bus ticket.

Nightlife

What with Geneva's high-flying business culture, it's no surprise that you can find plenty of upmarket clubs and cocktail bars in the city. But if you're looking for a more unique – and less expensive! – night out we'd recommend heading to the Pâquis quarter. Here you'll find repurposed industrial buildings and enough alternative pubs and clubs to suit every taste.

A room with a view

After a full day of exploring the city you'll need somewhere comfortable to rest your head, and it should come as little surprise that there's a wealth of four and five star hotels on offer in Geneva. If you want to go for the ultimate in luxury then why not make your stay in the Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva? Situated on the shore of Lake Geneva, the Grand Hotel benefits from incredible views of the lake and mountains, while the luxury of its 398 rooms and leisure facilities ensure you'll feel fully rested and prepared for many more days of exploring.