Geneva is situated at a high altitude, which together with the lake, tempers the prevailing continental climate. Summers are pleasantly warm to hot, and winters relatively mild with temperatures hovering just above or below freezing. Rain falls all year round, and occasionally the city suffers the ravages of a harsh north wind known as the bise.

Eating out in Geneva is a gratifying affair. With more restaurants per capita than New York City, Geneva offers a fantastic selection of traditional and local fare, as well as excellent international and ethnic cuisine. Local Geneva specialities include fresh fish from the lake and a variety of pork dishes, including petit salé(salt pork) and longeole(pork sausage). While Swiss cheese is enjoyed worldwide, Geneva has copious amounts of Raclette, Emmenthal and Gruyere, among other well-known cheeses on offer. These can be tasted in the quintessential Swiss fondue. Traditional Swiss restaurants can be found throughout the city but Place du Cirque and Quay Turrettini host some of the best. Diners eating out in Geneva will find a variety of international restaurants offering modern, traditional, ethnic or fusion menus. There are good French restaurants in the hotels on Quai Du Mont Blanc and Chemin du Petit Saconnex and on Rue de Lausanne. For Italian eateries try Rue de Fribourg, while Spanish food is best on Rue de Coutance. Rue du Prieuré has a delightful Indian restaurant, and there are great cafés on Boulevard Helvetique. While the prices at top restaurants can be astronomical the standards are just as high. There are also fixed-price menus available to lighten the load. A 7% service charge is included in all restaurant bills. Many Geneva restaurants close on weekends and especially Sundays, so call ahead to enquire; reservations are recommended.

Public transport consists of very dependable trams, buses and trolley buses that service the city quickly and efficiently, but if there is no hurry, it is cheaper and more practical to walk or cycle; from May to October city bicycles can be borrowed from Genev' Roule outside the main train station free of charge. The excellent bus and tram network operates from about 5am to midnight with a night bus service running on weekends. A basic fare costs Sfr2.20 and allows use of the network within Geneva's central zone and unlimited transfers between buses and trams for an hour, or there are cheaper tickets limited to three stops and including a return journey within 30 minutes. Tickets must be pre-purchased and validated on boarding. One-day passes are also available. Visitors staying in hotels or youth hostels in the city are entitled to free Geneva Transport Cards, offering unlimited use of public transport with no fees. The cards can be collected upon check-in. Taxis are plentiful but generally an expensive means of transport. Driving in the city is not recommended as parking is very difficult, but to tour around Lake Geneva, hiring a car is the most practical way to get around. A national or international driver's license is required, as well as a credit card, and drivers must be at least 21 years of age.

Geneva is a great city for children on holiday to explore. On warm days, take the kids to the tropical Aquaparc where they can splash and play, or enjoy a spot of horseback riding, putt-putt golf or bowling, or for something special, pack a picnic and head to Labyrinthe Aventure in Evionnaz where children can let of some steam in the 1.7 mile (3km) adventure maze. On colder days when outdoor activities with kids is not an option, head to one of the many indoor playgrounds found throughout the city such as at Yatouland in the city which features bouncy castles, Noah's ark, slides and even a mini 4x4 circuit. There are many great things for children to see and do in Geneva, and the little ones need never be bored.

The three official languages are Swiss German, French and Italian. A few people speak Romansch, but this is confined to the southeastern corner of the country. Most people know at least three languages, including English.

The official currency is the Swiss franc (CHF) divided into 100 rappen (German) or centimes (French). Although not part of the EU many prices are nonetheless indicated in Euros and some merchants may accept Euros. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted and ATMs are widespread; many are equipped with the Cirrus or Maestro system. Banks offer the best exchange rates for travellers cheques and foreign currency, but it is also possible to exchange money at major hotels, main train stations and airports. Banks are open Monday to Friday.

Geneva does not have the ribald party scene or vibrant nightlife culture that one might except for a city of this size and importance. The youth of the city tend to go to Lausanne when they let their hair down, while the wealthy expats and local bankers frequent expensive restaurants and gentlemen's clubs. The city's most lively area is the Plaine de Plainpalais which features many student bars due to its proximity to the University of Geneva; and the Place du Bourg de Four, near the old Town Hall. The city certainly does have excellent classical music, opera and dance, particularly during the Fêtes de Genève arts festival in early August. Other entertainment options include gambling at the Casino de Divonne and Movenpick Casino on the outskirts of town. For local listings check out the free publication Genève-Agenda, available at the tourist office and hotels, and the quarterly La Clefmagazine. Tickets for concerts and shows can be bought from City-Disc at the train station or the UBS Ticket Corner. For a full listing of venues visit www.geneva.info/entertainment.

A shopping spree in Geneva is one like no other with Swiss jewellery, watches, wine and chocolate being the most popular tourist buys. But among all the shopping malls and boutique-lined streets there are wonderful flea markets to discover, such as the Kane Country Flea Market, which is held on the first weekend of each month. The clothes and book market on the Place de la Madeleine is also great for bargain hunting. The main area for shopping in Geneva is the Rues Basses, which is made up of Rue du Rhône, Rue de la Confédération and Rue du Marché, where all the best clothing and jewellery can be found. Head down to the Place du Mulard and enjoy browsing in some of the city's most glamorous and expensive shops or, for antique lovers, head to the old town, the best area to shop for antiques and art. A shopping trip in Geneva wouldn't be complete without the obligatory purchase of the world-renowned chocolates which can be bought from one of the many confectioneries all across the city, but for a real Swiss chocolate decadence head to La Chocolaterie Rohr on Rue du Rhone and Place du Molard. Other popular Geneva souvenirs are the ubiquitous Swiss Army Knife, from established brands like Wenger and Victorinox, and Swiss watches. Most shops in Geneva open on Monday to Wednesday from 9am to 6.30pm while on Thursday shops close at 9pm. On Friday stores are open from 9am to 7.30pm. Shops open at 9am and close at 6pm on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays. The VAT in Geneva is 7.6% and can be reclaimed by non-Swiss visitors for single items purchased for a minimum of CHF400, as long as the goods are exported within 30 days.

Sightseeing in Geneva offers something for everyone with historic, cultural, religious and natural attractions galore, all within or very near to the city and best visited during the summer months.

The most obvious Geneva attraction is Lake Geneva, the largest lake in central Europe, and its Jet d'Eau, the huge fountain that shoots water 150 metres up into the air. Jardin Anglais is a garden that has been frequented by scribes and philosophers for years, and the nearby Ile Rousseau monument is dedicated to Jacques Rousseau and the inhabitants of Geneva.

Other things to see in Geneva include St Peter's Cathedral, a must for travellers interested in religious landmarks, and the Town Hall (Hotel de Ville) is another impressive building. Maison Tavel (believed to be the oldest private house in Geneva) and the 18th century, Italian-style suburb of Carouge are historic Geneva attractions. With so much to offer, sightseeing in Geneva is a rewarding experience.

Local time in Switzerland is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between March and October).