Geneva

We asked Mina Bayat, Chef Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva, to gather the savviest sightseeing suggestions she could find—not just her own but also those of other local connoisseurs, including some she works with every day at the Hotel. Dotted with gardens and parks and set alongside Europe’s largest Alpine lake, Geneva is a compact city, with a rich history and home to a host of international organisations such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Dine at Exceptional Restaurants

For French cuisine, the best spots in town are Le Floris and Domaine de Châteauvieux, which has two Michelin stars for its French cuisine. Auberge d’Onex has great Italian cuisine and a friendly and caring staff. Otherwise, guests can try Denis Martin in Vevey (located one hour from the Hotel), where the chef is well known for his molecular cuisine and serves a menu of about 24 small dishes. In Lausanne (a short 50-minute car ride away), there are two fantastic spots that have both earned three Michelin stars: Philippe Rochat and Anne-Sophie Pic at Beau-Rivage Palace, who is only the fourth woman ever to receive the honour.

Shop at the Finest Stores

The best stores for her are Bon Génie, a department store, Christian Louboutin for shoes, Charivari for shoes and accessories, Delaneau for women’s watches and L’Arcade for jewellery. Top shops for him include Basil and Zilli for clothes, and John Lobb and Winston for shoes. You can also do some “window” shopping at the Hotel with displays from Van Cleef & Arpels, Chaumet, Montblanc, Breguet, De Grisogono and other fine brands.

Explore Galleries and Museums

Opera Gallery features great artists such as Fernando Botero, Salvador Dali, Marc Chagall and others. Gallery Bel-Air Fine Art boasts great contemporary artists such as Alfonso Borghi and David LaChapelle. The recently opened Gagosian Gallery is another must-see, and the Patek Philippe Museum is the finest museum about watch manufacturing in the world.

Cruise the Lake at Night

The best thing to do after dark is to take an evening dinner cruise on a private vessel or on a steamboat and enjoy the city lights and landscapes.

Take in the Scenery

With its majestic Alps, lovely lake and Old World architecture, Geneva boasts some impressive scenery. The views are stunning at the “Byron Stone” in Cologny, from the top of the Saint-Pierre Cathedral, from the restaurant Le Lion D’Or and from the top of the Salève.