Affordable Europe: Geneva

With its reputation as a hive of private banking, the idea of finding a bargain in Geneva may induce peals of laughter. Yet if you know where to look and what to avoid, you can make your way without breaking your own personal bank.

Where to Eat Cheaply

The Bains des Paquis offers not only the best cheap meal in town but also one of the most atypical Genevois experiences: a public beach, in the center of the city. For no more than 2 Swiss francs (about $1.55, at 1.3 francs to the dollar), you can walk out onto the jetty leading to the Bains and either dive into Lac Leman for a swim or settle down at the "buvette" (snack bar), which offers simple salads and a daily special, like a thick slice of ham with addictive gratineed potatoes (41-22-738-1616; www.buvettedesbains.ch). The wine may come in plastic glasses, but nothing beats the atmosphere, an eccentric cross between Parisian cafe and American summer camp. Dinner for two won't climb beyond 40 francs ($32).

Lodging for Under 100 Euros a Night

At the small, family-run Hotel de la Cloche (6, rue de la Cloche; 41-22-732-9481; www.geneva-hotel.ch/cloche), just steps from the lake, the decor is bare-bones, but the atmosphere is pleasant and the owners are helpful. Room for two with a bathroom, in high season, start at about 91 euros, or 140 francs..

The Geneva tourism office has a good Web site, www.geneve-tourisme.ch; click on Accommodation and take note of the Bed and Breakfast subcategory. Also consider apartment-hotels or staying a bit outside the heart of the city, in Carouge or the suburbs of Ferney-Voltaire (over the border in France), which is easily reachable by public transportation.

Best Deal on a Cultural Event

From July through September, the Cathedrale St.-Pierre, at the heart of the historic Old City, offers free carillon concerts Saturdays at 5 p.m. and organ concerts at 6 p.m. Similarly, the Eglise St. Germain on Rue des Granges offers a classical music series on Sunday and Monday evenings at 6 in July and August. But less predictably, the city's leafy Parc La Grange in the Eaux-Vives neighborhood presents free world music concerts every Wednesday and Friday night in July and August.

Best Thing to Do Free

An organization called Geneva Roule (41-22-740-1343; www.geneveroule.ch) offers free bikes from April 30 to Oct. 30 at four locations around the city. All you need to do is show up with a piece of identification and a deposit of 50 francs (about $40) that will be returned at the end of the day. You can choose from adult bikes, children's bikes, even bikes with a child seat or trailer — and locks and helmets are thrown in at no charge.

Best Money-Saving Tip

Geneva has a great, easy-to-use public transportation system. For 7 francs, you can get a ticket good from 9 a.m. until midnight for use anywhere in the city, on not only the buses and trams but also on the shuttle boats (mouettes) that crisscross Lac Leman (10 francs buys you a 24-hour ticket). Bring a picnic and take the No. 3 boat to Geneve Plage, and you won't believe you're in the middle of a city.

(πηγή: www.iht.com, 23/4/2007)