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4* Skiing Holiday in Val d'Isere, 7 nights half board
4* Skiing Holiday in Val d'Isere, 7 nights half board
Description
In the heart of the old village, just100m from the slopes, the beautifullyrefurbished Hotel Latitudes Aigle desNeiges offers comfortableaccommodation, good cuisine and ahigh level of service.
Bedrooms: 104. The spacious twinrooms have bath, shower, separate wc,hairdryer, telephone, TV and minibar.Larger superior rooms can take a thirdbed (for a child under 12 yrs) andfamily rooms for 2-4 people areduplex. Singles are also available.
Meals: Buffet breakfast & three coursedinner. Savoyard specialities available.
Facilities: Lounge/piano bar with openfire; 2 restaurants; sauna, jacuzzi,steam room and fitness room (all incl.);ski lockers; garage (105€ pw); lift.
Special Attractions: • Christmasand New Year gala dinners included• Welcome bottle of wine in room.
Official Rating: 4 stars.
Settled since Neolithic times, Geneva became an imperial city in 1032, under Emperor Conrad II, before achieving independence in 1530 and joining the Swiss Confederation in 1814. Genevas reputation for religious tolerance during the Reformation proved to be a major influence on its subsequent development. For centuries, exiles from religious or political persecution chose the city as their refuge, ranging from the English regicides in the 17th century to Lenin in the early 20th century. Even the manufacture of watches was fostered by one of the most intolerant of religious exiles, John Calvin, who lived here from 1541 to his death in 1564. This extraordinary mix of nationalities, coupled with the fact that most émigrés were of an intellectual disposition, led to the establishment of disparate centres of learning. These soon developed such a fine reputation that Geneva became a popular choice for the sons (and later daughters) of well-to-do families to finish their education.
Switzerlands famed neutrality had a part to play in encouraging international organisations to locate their headquarters in Geneva, which today boasts over 200, raising an always numerous foreign community to one-third of the population. The catalyst for choosing Geneva was the decision in 1919 to set up the headquarters of the League of Nations, predecessor of the United Nations, in the city. Although the UN moved to New York in 1945, Geneva has kept its European office in what is the second largest building on the Continent (Palace of Versailles is the largest). Other important organisations based in the city are the International Committee of the Red Cross (founded by the Swiss Henri Dunant in 1864) and the World Health Organisation.
The city is also a major banking centre (a city of wealth by stealth as the British actor Robert Morley put it) and plays a significant role in the manufacture of watches, scientific instruments, jewellery and foodstuffs. These roles have contributed to it being an expensive city in which to live or stay, although it has much to offer the visitor, principally the Old Town and some fine museums. Geneva is an efficient, clean city. Its excellent public transport system, coupled with the ease and pleasure of walking around the centre, make a car unnecessary, even a nuisance.
The city enjoys a mild central European climate with relatively low rainfall. The super-rich community of international civil servants and tax exiles demand good food, top hotels and entertainment and Geneva provides it all. Beneath the stereotypical veneer of diamonds and watches, however, one finds a tolerant and safe society with the Genevois strangely similar to the British reserved but courteous.
Destination Airport
Geneva International Airport
Airport Information
Country
Switzerland
Address
Geneva International Airport, PO Box 100, CH-1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland
Country Code
41
Telephone
(0)22 717 7111
Fax
(0)22 798 4377
info@gva.ch
Website
www.gva.ch/en
Location
The airport is located 5km (3 miles) north of Geneva
Time Zone
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October)
Number of Terminals
1 (with Swiss and French sectors)
Driving Directions
The main Swiss sector of the airport is accessible from the N1 airport motorway. From France, take the A40 (motorway) to the border and then the N1. In order to avoid Swiss territory entirely, drive direct to the French sector via Ferney-Voltaire, near Collonges on the D-984; at Ferney-Voltaire, follow the signs for Geneva and, just before Swiss customs, take the road on the right to the airport French sector.
Car Parking
There are short- and long-term parking facilities with direct access to the airport. An economy car park is also available for long-term parking. There is a dedicated car park for the French sector. For further information, call the Centre de Contrôle des Parkings (tel: (0)22 717 7099).
Car Hire
Companies include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Holiday Auto, National/Alamo and Sixt in the Swiss sector, and Avis, National/Citer, Europcar and Hertz in the French sector.
Public Transport
Rail: Geneva railway station is 300m (328 yards) from the Departures and Arrivals floors; all trains stop at central Geneva-Cornavin, in the city centre, and there are also direct trains to destinations throughout Switzerland and Europe. Road: Taxi: Taxis are available at the airport, departing from outside Arrivals. Ambassador (tel: (0)22 731 4141) also offers a limousine service. Bus: Buses stop outside Departures and Arrivals. Bus no.10 runs to central Geneva, and bus no.18 to the UN. Bus services from the French sector connect to regional French towns and various international routes to destinations in Spain, Portugal and Eastern Europe. AeroSki Bus provides services from the airport to many of the French ski stations.
Information and Help Desks
Information desks (tel: (0)22 717 7105) are located on the Arrivals level and in the transit area. The French sector has independent services. There are various tourist information offices for both Swiss and French regions, located in the Arrivals areas of each sector.
Airport Facilities
Money and communications: Banks, bureaux de change, ATMs, a post office and mobile telephone hire are all available. Eating and drinking: There is a range of bars, cafés and restaurants. Shopping: Shopping includes duty-free. Luggage: A porter service is available. There is a lost property office on the public concourse and at the train station. Left-luggage facilities and lockers are available at the train station. Other facilities: There are pharmacies, showers, a medical centre and a nursery.
Conference and Business Facilities
SkyCom business centre (tel: (0)22 717 7800) offers eight private offices with PC, fax and modem, 11 conference rooms (seating from four to 120 people), secretarial and translation services and a catering service. There is also a business corner offering basic photocopying, fax and telephone facilities.
Disabled Facilities
The public areas and car park are fully accessible for wheelchairs. Assistance is available for passengers with disabilities (tel: (0)22 799 3346). Passengers should request any special assistance when booking their ticket.
Airport Hotels
The Movenpick Airport Hotel (tel: (0)22 717 1603) is a short walk from the airport; alternatively, a shuttle bus departs for the hotel from outside Arrivals. Hotels located near the airport with a free shuttle bus service include the Chavannes-de-Bogis (tel: (0)22 960 8181), Crowne Plaza (tel: (0)22 747 0202), Express by Holiday Inn (tel: (0)22 939 3939), NH Tulip Inn (tel: (0)22 989 9506) and Ramada Park Hotel (tel: (0)22 710 3000) in Switzerland, and the Holiday Inn Thoiry (tel: (0)4 5099 1999) and Novotel (tel: 33 (0)4 5040 8523) in the French sector. Hotel reservations can be made via Geneva Tourism and AMDACO, in the Arrivals area.
City
Geneva
Full Airport Name
Geneva International Airport
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