This is a great pre-season opportunity to experience this magic of this beautiful and remote first class lodge and spa. Early November is the beginning of spring in Patagonia, a fabulous time to discover the enchanting nature in one of the most serenly beautiful settings imaginable.

Puyuhuapi Lodge and Spa is located on the shore of a tranquil sea inlet of the Ventisquero Sound, accessible only by sea within the protected shore of Dorita Bay, in Southern Chile. Built in harmony with nature it offers rustic, yet supremely comfortable luxury amidst these wild, untamed surrounding 'South of Silence.'

Exquisite rooms, personal friendly service and gourmet food await you - not to mention the first rate thalassotherapy center and hot springs where you can indulge your senses.

The PC3 program (available from Oct - April) will take you on a 5 hour cruise through the Patagonian fjords to reach the lodge. On the way out you will also be treated to a trip to San Rafael Lagoon - one of the most spectacular, glaciers in Patagonia.

Read more about Puyuhuapi and the PC3 program

ATTENTION:
Do you live in the UK or Europe?
For Europeans, travel to Central or South America has never been as inexpensive as it is right now!
Make the most of the weak dollar and hurry up to reserve your dream Easter holiday get-away now!

Don't Miss Your Chance to Make Your Christmas Get-Away Dream Come True

I know - you have barely unpacked your bags from your summer vacation - who wants to think about Christmas NOW? It is probably the last thing on your mind, and frankly, it would be for me as well, if it wasn't for my past experiences of trying to make Christmas dreams come true for you, my friends, at short notice. The fact is, the best places are often booked up months in advance, and even second and third choice hotels are not as easy to get as you might have thought. Don't rely on last minute specials - chances are, there won't be any - none that anybody would actually WANT, at any rate. So, if you are even vaguely considering a Christmas get away, think ahead and book now to avoid disappointment.

Can't make up your mind? Here are some places I think of as truly special:

Caves Branch Adventure Lodge

Families with kids should check out Caves Branch Adventure Lodge - a range of accommodation options, from luxurious, spacious tree houses to basic cabanas, this lodge caters to families who want to play together. They have the widest, most exciting range of activity options that can be booked either as a package or 'a la carte'. Guides are superbly trained and you can feel perfectly at ease even with the most hair-raising activities, knowing that your safety is paramount in all their operations. The guides are also specially trained to deal with kids. They know how to engage their interest and give them and you the experience of a lifetime.

Belize Lodges

Couples without kids, or kids over 10 years old who wish to blend an authentic jungle adventure with truly stylish luxury, while keeping their vacation 'earth-friendly' will find the best lodge option hidden deep in the southern jungle of Belize. Belize Lodges run four superb luxury eco- lodges, with 5 star service in the remote and pristine jungle setting of southern Belize: Indian Creek, Jungle Camp, Ballum Na and Moho Cay

Stays are usually arranged so as to combine several of their lodges in one package, with different and exciting experiences to be had at each of them. One of their Lodges, Moho Cay Lodge, is a private Island retreat, offering the perfect mix of reef and rainforest retreat. However, be aware that special conditions (minimum stay) apply during holiday times and lodges cannot be booked individually.

More Belize Adventures...

Sailing Cruise in San Blas

One of the most romantic options for a leisurely get-away Christmas vacation undoubtedly is a sailing holiday in the San Blas Archipelago. Don't worry if you don't know how to sail - the skipper comes with the boat! And he knows just where to go to find the best, private beaches and snorkelling spots. And the 'catch of the day' dinners could not be fresher or tastier. There are a number of boats to choose from, depending on your preferences, budget and group size. Cruises can take from 4 - 21 days - or you can combine a week long cruise with visiting the Kuna Yala rainforest.

Well, if you want to spend Christmas in the Galapagos book NOW to secure your space for Christmas 2009! I am afraid, for this year there are no more spaces left for the holidays - certainly not on any of the half decent boats. Even land tours are becoming difficult to arrange as Galapagos hotels are also rapidly filling up for Christmas this year...For Christmas Cruises you must plan a whole year ahead!

Galapagos Cruises

Attention Birders:

Don't miss your chance to join this special birding cruise to the Galapagos
from January 25 - February 6, 2009 aboard the First Class, spacious yacht - M/Y San Jose
This is a unique chance to visit these amazing islands with an expert birding guide and a group of like-minded souls. Join us to visit one of the world’s top wildlife destinations! Our journey begins and ends in Quito, Ecuador, where we visit the colorful market at Otavalo and a lake in the Andes before our next-day flight to the Galapagos. If time allows, we strongly encourage you to join our pre-trip adventure to Ecuador’s Amazonia region, featuring a four night stay at Napo Wildlife Center. This is our pick for the best rainforest lodge experience anywhere!

Join Greg Smith and local Galapagos guides as we venture to this treasured World Heritage Site – the volcanic archipelago of Ecuador's Galapagos Islands. We have carefully selected and chartered the modern, more spacious M/Y San Jose yacht to provide an intimate voyage designed with natural history and photographic interests in mind.

Spaces are limited - Reserve yours NOW!

Request details

Papallacta Spa

This thermal spa and eco resort at the foot of Cayambe volcano is a great place for kicking back and enjoying the good things in life at any time. The private cabins provide ample space for a whole family or group of friends - or if you like it more cosy, smaller cabins for two are also available. Pamper yourself in the hot spring pools, explore the unique habitat surrounding the Spa by horseback or on foot - or go on a whitewater rafting trip, if you are the adventurous sort. Then come back and pamper yourself some more...

More Ecuador Adventures...

Inkaterra MachuPicchu / Sacred Valley Casonas

Inkaterra hotels are well known for their superb quality standards. No matter which of their hotels you choose to stay at, you can be sure of excellent service and attention to detail.

Inkaterra Machu Picchu is a fabulous hotel by anyone's standards. In fact, it is by far the best option in Aguas Calientes, if you are planning an overnight tour to Machu Picchu. Inkaterra Machu Picchu Lodge is more than a hotel - it is a sanctuary, set amidst lush gardens, it evokes a deep sense of serenity and appreciation for all that is beautiful. There is also a spa where you can indulge your senses with a variety of typical and not so typical spa treatments.

Sacred Valley Casonas offers a completely different concept. Here a range of bungalows and casitas built to various degrees of lavishness offer supreme comfort and privacy, especially for small groups or families. A private chef will cater just for you. Activities range from exploring some of the nearby Inka sites to hiking or horseback riding as you follow the ancient routes of the Inka through the Sacred Valley.

Suasi Island

You could hardly find a more secluded spot to enjoy the holidays! Suasi Island Lodge, located on a small island on Lake Titicaca, high up in the Peruvian altiplano has real magic. Superb comfort and service in one of the most scenic locations of Peru make this lodge an excellent choice for a Christmas get-away. Active travellers can enjoy a selection of excursions such as hiking, kayaking or sailing on Lake Titicaca that can be arranged at the lodge.

More Peru Adventures

Awasi Inn

San Pedro de Atacama, a small oasis town on the edge of civilization, has seen quite an increase of high quality hotel/spa type of accommodation options over the last couple of years. Yet, Awasi Inn still offers something special to discerning travellers - Its intimate atmosphere and highly personalized service are second to none. At Awasi Inn each guest is treated with special attention. All excursions are completely private, providing for more flexibility to adjust to guest's special requests. However, the fact that the Inn offers only 8 cottages means that booking way in advance is essential if you want to secure a space during prime time.

Puyahuapi Lodge and Spa

The fabulous setting alone of Puyahuapi Lodge and Spa is worth the trip: embedded in the serenity and tranquil peace of nature, the lodge looks out over a pristine Patagonian fjord near Queulat National Park. If you can't relax here, you cannot relax anywhere. The Inn offers the perfect combination for those who look for soft adventure activities, such as hiking in the near by National Park, canoeing in the fjord or fly fishing, with supreme pampering. After a hard day's adventuring enjoy the hot springs or any of the extensive range of spa options that are available at their thalassotherapy center. Delicious food and wines, excellent service and beautiful rooms are part of the standard. And last, but not least, do not miss an excursion to nearby San Rafael lagoon and glacier! The spectacle of huge chunks of ice breaking away and crashing into the lagoon is truly awesome.

More Chile Adventures...

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Thanks to its many different types of terrain, microclimates and ecological niches that exist between the Andes and the Pacific shoreline, Peru is blessed with a phenomenal number of bird species. It is in fact considered one of those 'birding hot spots' of the world, letting any birder's heart fly high.

The lowland rainforest with its colourful macaws and flocks of other noisy parrot species, harpy eagles, or turkey vultures are among the special sights that are nevertheless not too hard to spot, even for novice birders.

The cloudforest has more specialties to offer - endemic birds that have adapted to this unique habitat and that occur nowhere else. Most notable among them, the cock of the rock, Peru's 'national bird' - a crow-sized bright red bird with a very prominent and entertaining mating ritual that can easily be observed at so called 'leks' - their special dancing grounds.

Observing the flight of the Andean Condor ranks among the highlights of the High Andes. But even within each of these general zone there are many micro-environments each of which are home to different birds. In the lowland rainforest for example, there are seasonally inundated areas of forest known as 'varzea forest' as well as the so called 'terra firme' forest, which usually does not become flooded. And then there are bamboo thickets - a tangle of vegetation that provides shelter for many species of birds. The so called 'oxbow lakes' or 'cochas' as they are known, are sections of river that have become cut off from the main river. These are especially rich birding habitats, and thanks to the 'open vista' a lake environment affords, birds can quite easily be observed.

In the jungle however, this is a different story. The thick vegetation and dim light makes it hard to spot birds and animals. Often you would not know they are there at all if it were not for their calls, which a good bird guide knows to identify. Thus, for anybody interested in a birding tour to Peru a good guide is absolutely essential if you really want to get the most out of your trip. Furthermore, much of the 'action' happens in the canopy rather than at eye level. Thus, canopy towers or walkways, which many lodges have installed for the benefit of their guests, are excellent viewing platforms from where the birdlife of the canopy can be observed. Here are some tips on how to arrange a birding trip that suits your level of interest.

There are several ways to go about arranging a birding trip in Peru.

Lodge stays:

Rainforest lodges specialize in birding and wildlife observation. It is their declared aim to introduce guests to the ecology of their environment and all the interactions that take place between birds, plants and other animals. Birding features strongly on most of their agendas, since birds (and insects) are easiest to observe. This is why most lodges have a program that gets you out of bed long before dawn - so you can witness the awakening of the forest - the raucous early morning concert of birds and howler monkeys as they greet the day.

But many lodges also offer a more specialized option specifically designed for birders. They can provide you with your own birding guide so that you can have a bird tour that is either tied to the general group activities (cheaper option) or fully private. They may also be able to supplying you with your own river transportation so that you and your bird guide can go off and explore different habitats more deeply. Due to the extra costs involved, this option usually works out more expensively, but it is nevertheless a good deal as you still benefit from sharing much of the infrastructure of the lodge.

Birding tours (fixed departure)

These types of tours are an excellent option for passionate birders who want to track down certain speciality birds and who love being in the company of others who share the same passion. The drawback is that you always have to move at the pace of the group and that you have to fit to the set itinerary and schedule. There are only a small number of regular departure tours in each environment and that may not always fit in with your schedule. The comprehensive tours often take 8-21 days. Short birding tours with fixed departures practically do not exist. The advantage of this type of tour is the fact that because you travel with a group costs can be kept down. Nevertheless, these tours are far from cheap.

Private birding tours

Needless to say, these are usually the most expensive tours, as all your transportation and accommodation is provided just for you - so if you want to explore more remote habitats, it quickly adds up. However, these tours are also the most flexible ones, they can be arranged whenever you are ready to travel and for however long or short of a timeframe you might have available.

For those who are budget conscious and still want to get the most out of their trip, the best option is a combination of lodge stays and private services. For example, you can have a 'private bird guide' at a rainforest lodge, then make your own way to another part of Peru and arrange for a privately guided tour with a specialist guide in that part of the country. That way you can combine habitats which 'fixed departure tours' would probably never combine, except in their 'marathon tours' of 21 days or more, and skip other parts that may not hold as much interest for you.

One important aspect of privately arranged birding trips is the fact that costs go down exponentially depending on the number of participants. Unfortunately, private tours for individuals work out very expensive since one person has to bear all the costs. When two people travel together it already makes a big difference, but small groups of 4 - 6 work best.

If you would like us to help you arrange a private or semi private birding trip,just ask!

Feature: Manu/Cloud Forest Lodge

There are many areas of Cloud Forest in Peru, but none that are as easily accessible as the Cloud Forest of Manu, which drapes the Andes east of Cusco as they descend to the Amazon Basin. This region is also continuous with one of the largest protected zones of Peru - Manu National Park.

This is a transient zone - hanging between the exposed mountain peaks of the Andes, and the lowland forest. Thus, it is also an extremely rich zone for wildlife - especially certain endemic species that have adapted to the special environmental and climatic factors that are present here and can exist nowhere else.

In particular, this area is extremely rewarding for birdwatchers who are looking for speciality birds. An ornithological census conducted by the renowned tropical ornithologist John Arvin, yielded more than 700 species in the close vicinity of the lodge - among them, the famous 'Cock of the Rock', Peru's National Bird. This crow-sized, bright red bird performs a peculiar mating ritual that can be observed at the nearby 'lek', or dancing ground.

There are but a few lodges in this area and most very rustic. Manu Cloud Forest Lodge makes a notable difference: it is the perfect base for birdwatchers and adventurers who wish to experience the cloud forest in comfort and style. Set in a romantic spot next to a 400 ft waterfall this lodge offers superior standards - the best that can be found in this part of Peru.

The lodge has 16 -20 comfortable double bedrooms, each with private bathrooms and hot water. There is even a sauna, where guests can relax after the day's activities. The private verandas overlook the pristine Union Creek. Close to the lodge is a beautiful waterfall.

Activities at this lodge include only nature hiking and bird watching on the nearby trails. However, optional activities, such as mountain biking, trekking and white-water rafting are also available. Read more:

Enquire now to reserve your space

Stop the Dam: Land Theft in Panama - Assault against Tribal People

The Government of Panama is currently scheming a huge crime: Theft and destruction of the homes and farmland of the Ngobe people, who inhabit the remote hills in the north of the country. Sniffing an opportunity to make a good chunk of money by selling off concessions to a subsidiary of the US energy company AESA to build a series of Hydroelectric dams - in the traditional homeland of the Ngobe people.

What this means is displacement and disintegration for the communities and destruction for the hitherto pristine environment. The people are bribed to sign agreements they neither understand and nor are able to read. Their land, their lives, their rights or their heritage don't count for much.

The government doesn't just walk right over these people, it literally bulldozes right over them! Already police has been brought in to beat up and intimidate protestors and bulldozers are levelling the Ngobe's humble abodes. Cultural Survival has filed a petition with the Interamerican Court of Human Rights - you can read the petitions here:

http://www.culturalsurvival.org/programs/panama/IACHR_Petition.pdf

Cultural Survival has teamed up with a local organization in Panama to support the Ngobe's struggle. Read more about it here: http://www.culturalsurvival.org/programs/panama/damnation.pdf

This campaign needs more support - You can join this effort by sending letters or emails of concern to:

Have you been feeling the pinch at the gas pump? Wondering how you can make ends meet and still have a great vacation? Oil prices have pushed up the costs of transportation, so crucial to all modes of travel, wherever you look - at home and abroad.

Some people opt to stay at home altogether - but travelling, experiencing different cultures, visiting amazing cultural sits or natural wonders, is so quintessentially linked to what makes life on planet earth so exciting.

Sure, home is nice as well, and maybe you are lucky enough to live in a stunningly beautiful or interesting place (in a way, everywhere is), but for me at least, travelling is nectar for my soul. I just don't feel right when I can't get out there, exploring places.

So, how can one do this, on a tight budget? The answer lies in slowing down. Instead of wanting to see everything a country has to offer in a single two week vacation, how about taking your time discovering a small corner of it, on foot?

Hiking and trekking certainly are the most natural and eco-friendly modes of getting about, at least if one stays to the trails and remembers to dispose of one's garbage in the proper places. Some may find that the idea sounds tough and tiring, but if the truth be known, it is one of the most invigorating things anyone can to nourish mind, body or soul. Of course, you might break into a sweat from time to time, but the many sights and places you'll discover, far from the fast track or gringo trail, are so awe inspiring and magical that your soul will be nourished for a long time to come.

I am not talking about any particular place here - just hiking in general. Of course, one needs to be clear about one's level of endurance and interest. Some people need to sleep under the stars and smell the scent of a camp fire to really feel like 'they have been out there'. Others are content with bridling the borders between nature and culture, wandering through vineyards to the wild hills beyond, but in the evening return to a comfortable bed and delicious meal, perhaps a sauna or dip in the hot springs to bring tired bones back to life. On a hiking tour like this you can explore beautiful hidden trails that meander quietly through the countryside, and admire the traces of the ancient past that lie almost forgotten by the way side in some little villages - an ancient church, a pilgrims site, or ruined castles.

This type of hiking is very popular in Europe. Every country in western Europe has a network of trails that criss cross the countryside. Some are mere local paths, others are well sign posted hiking routes that can take you for hundreds of miles and let you experience the very soul of the country you are visiting.

Europeans love hiking - it is one of their favourite pastimes. Thus there is an infinite amount of resources available for those who want to organize such a trip independently. However, it is very advantageous if you speak at least a little bit of the local language as one cannot assume that country folk have any knowledge of English at all - not even at local inns and small hotels. This type of 'soft tourism' is mostly domestic - it hasn't occurred to European tourist boards that 'foreign' tourists might also enjoy this type of travel. So, if you are worried about the language, then hiking in England or Ireland might be a better place to start. Most Dutch and Scandinavians are also well versed in the English language. Beyond that, it is a matter of luck - in the larger towns or touristy places you are likely to find English language information, or people who can help you out. In rural areas you might have to rely on your hand and feet for communication.

Of course, there is always the option of using a tour company to plan your trip. There are now many companies that offer walking holidays with pre-set itineraries in almost every European country. However, often these tours are self guided, so you will not necessarily have a translator at hand. Self-guided means that you can go at any time but your route is pre-arranged. You receive a bundle of maps and information and off you go, on your own.

Or, if you prefer, you can join a fixed departure group, with a guide and sometimes even a 'luggage transportation service', that will take your gear from place to place so you don't have to carry it.

Hiking and trekking is also becoming increasingly popular in Central and South America. Here it greatly depends on where you go as to what types of tours and services are available. In the Peruvian Andes 'hiking hostals' are now starting to pop up, even in relatively remote areas. Often they are run in conjunction with local communities. For those who like a little comfort at the end of the day, these lodges are a great improvement to camping out in the high mountains, where it can get bitterly cold at night.

However, for those who really want to feel that edge of wilderness, there are still plenty of camping/trekking tours available. Whatever you do, in places like Peru you should definitely ALWAYS use a guide. It is very easy to get lost out there, not to mention wild animals or other emergency situations, e.g. feeling ill from altitude sickness. The thin layer of civilization fades much quicker in a place like Peru or Bolivia once you are off the beaten track.

In Ecuador, your best bet is to base yourself at one of the many hacienda that are dotted throughout the highands and explore the wide open spaces with local guides who know the secret places or hidden dangers of their neighbourhood inside out. Horseback trekking, perhaps from one hacienda to another, could also be an option, as hiking at high altitude can be rather exhausting.

In Chile you have many options, depending on where you go. You can go trekking in the Atacama (if you are very fit) with camping, or use a hosteria or lodge as a base from where you can go on daily hiking excursions. The latter option is definitely preferable if you are not well acclimatized or in top shape. Staying at a lodge and choosing your daily outings lets you determine the pace that you are comfortable with since you will have more choices.

The Lake district was made for hikers - there cannot be many regions on this planet that are more enticing and enjoyable for hikers. There are many national parks and trails, but not all of them are well sign posted. If you are planning to go on a longer hike it is best to go with a local guide, or on an organized trip. Here too, you can base yourself at a nice, comfortable lodge and take excursions into the surrounding areas on foot or horseback.

Chile is a great country for horse people - it seems as if Chileans are born in the saddle and take to riding as naturally as the frog to the pond. Thus, they also make excellent horse guides who can take you on through some of the most stunning scenery of the Andes on ancient, half forgotten trails.

Patagonia offers even more fantastic wilderness. Most famous of all, Torres del Paine National Park - without a doubt one of the great natural wonders of Chile. However, although this Park is stunning and beautiful, Chile is a huge country and one that is blessed with a plethora of fantastic sites and places of natural beauty. Unfortunately, as a species, we have a tendency to want to go to the most famous places, where thousands of people have been before (as if this somehow guaranteed satisfaction). Mother Earth suffers a great deal when we all decide to trample on the same paths…it is as though we are loving certain areas of Gaia to shreds, while ignoring others, that convey a quieter sense of beauty. There is often so much more serenity in a place of solace, though less dramatic perhaps, but all the more beautiful for its untouched and pristine nature.

Travel is not all about famous sites - that is just what the media uses to market a certain destination. All the Earth is Sacred and beautiful - it is the experience that matters and how much time we allow ourselves to discover Mother Earth' secret beauty spots.

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There are few cities in the world that are as happily situated as Geneva: sandwiched between the Alps and the Jura mountains it is looking out over Lac Leman from its far western corner. It is only a stone's throw away from France and indeed, in this part of Switzerland French is the common tongue. However, Geneva is one of the most pan-european of all European cities with a host of non-governmental and international organisations such as the UN, the WTO and the WHO to name but a few, that have elected Geneva as their home base.

Geneva has managed what few other cities have: to maintain an 'old-world charm' by integrating its beautiful and well maintained belle-epoch' architectural style with its more modern face. But above all, Geneva is a people-friendly city with a multitude of parks and 'promenades', recreational areas and bike path - and of course, the beautiful countryside surrounding it is never far away.

For a long time Geneva was mostly regarded as a place for business people and politicians, but that is far from the truth. Geneva has style to be sure, but it is also very rich in arts - both modern and traditional, and as a historical crossroads of Europe, also enjoys a colourful cultural heritage. Among its many shining historical episodes it holds the singular distinction of being the only city worldwide that has defended its sovereignty with a pot of hot soup, (which was reported to have been tipped onto the enemy forces from above) - an event which is still commemorated annually on December 12.

Geneva is blessed with many beautiful parks, among them the botanical garden which comprises of 28 hectares and is home to 16000 species of plants. The English gardens, established in 1854 graces the left bank of the river. The beautiful grounds are embellished with numerous sculptures and one of Geneva's landmarks, the famous flower clock.

Batie Woods offers much wilder sights, with its wildlife island that features an odd assembly of animals such as goats, ibex, deer, wild boar, roe, marmots, stone martins, chickens, ducks, peacocks, turkeys and many other regional fauna in its enclosures.

Or there is the Alpine Park, located on the outskirts of town, which not only features a large number of alpine plant species, but is also a popular venue for the arts. Exhibitions of paintings and sculptures are regularly exhibited in the Pavilion while the glasshouse also serves as a stage for music and theatre performances.

And of course, one can never tire of the lakeside promenades, with their fabulous panoramic views of the lake and the mountains beyond - simply gorgeous!

One of the routes of the St. Jacques de Compostelle, which spans most of Europe, from Poland to Spain, passes through Geneva. It is signposted here with a little blue plaque with yellow rays on it. You can follow the trail, joining it near the Botanical Gardens, and let it lead you through Geneva. It may not be the prettiest route you can take through town, but it is a nice meander.

The tourist office has further information about this and other marked trails that can be explored by bike or on foot. Anice tourch - in Geneva you can 'borrow' a bike to get around for free. All that is required is identification and a deposit of 50 swiss francs. Bikes must be returned at a certain time from where they have been borrowed, each day. Alternatively you can rent a bike for a week or longer at several commercial operations in the city.

But what I like best about this place is its easy access to some truly fantastic sites and hikes in the surroundings. The Alps and Jura mountains are of different 'stock' geologically speaking and thus give rise to entirely different terrain and eco systems, a very rich ecological crossroads indeed.

Although just over the border in France, a very worthwhile outing takey up to Mont Salève to 1100 m above the town. On a clear day the views across Geneva, the lake and the mountains beyond are simply stunning.

Cycling enthusiasts are well rewarded in this terrain. Although surrounded by mountains, the vicinity is quite flat with rather gentle hills, ideal for biking tours. There are many marked bike paths, not just in Geneva, but also far beyond.

A lovely 3 day biking itinerary can take you around the lake - a wonderful way to see not only Geneva but some of the other towns along the shore, Lausanne, Montreux and Thonon-les-Bains - and enjoy the magnificent views. The route is 209km in total, divided into 3 sections. Or there are numerous shorter biking routes that will make for a pleasant day outing.(More info- see box).

If you don't want to be that active, you can opt for a horseback riding tour into the beautiful mountains surrounding the city - there are infinite opportunities.

Or, for the more adventurous, climbing, kayaking, canoeing and white water rafting can also be persuedwithout having to venture far. Who said Geneva is a boring town?

And if you have had enough of the rough and tumble of the outdoor adventures - how about a little relaxation? Don't miss the Bain Parquis, Geneva's beach front, open from April to September. A place to hang and relax, go swimming in the lake if you wish - or indulge yourslf with a little pampering and visit the Turkish Steam Bath, Sauna or Massage Parlour.

Geneva truly is a place that can be actively enjoyed by young and old alike - by those who like it wild, and those that simply enjoy leisurely strolls through civilized parks, or cycling on well maintained paths with a picture postcard backdrop that is hard to beat.