Help with Geneva/Annecy itinerary

Posted by nancy (Sacramento, CA, US) on 01/29/23 07:27 PM

I have a trek booked for the Tour de Mont Blanc in late June/early July '23. I am flying in and out of Geneva. I have a day in Geneva before I have to be in Chamonix for late day pre-trek meeting. Is there anything to do in Chamonix that I should reserve time for or better to arrive just in time? What's a good use of my time in Geneva for day and a half before traveling to Chamonix? I am by myself, and like to drink wine, eat cheese and chocolate, so Switzerland's delights should fit my tastes well. I've been to a swiss chocolatier before, and have seen cheese made as well, so would be looking for unique or special experiences (of course, not too pricey, not easy to find in Switzerland). If easier to find these experiences on the French side based from Chamonix, I'd love to hear about them. Also looking for an reccs on places to stay or eat in Geneva. 2 or 3 star is fine by me. I also love a good local market and/or textiles/fabrics/yarn/embroidery shops.

For the 3 days after my trek, I plan to take the bus from Chamonix to Annecy, stay 1-2 nights (to relax after 12 days of trekking!) then bus back to Geneva for one final day before flying out very early (7am flight). Any suggestions on places to stay when I return? I need maybe 2 nights so is an airport hotel (traveling back into the city for the day before departing) the best bet? Or I can just do one final night in Geneva (spend the prior night in a nearby town?) but will need a place to store my bags while I explore the city. Is there a place for that?

so in short:
Day 1 leave home
2 arrive Geneva 6pm
3 Geneva? (sunday)
4. 1/2 day free; must be in Chamonix by 5pm (monday)
Trek for 12 days
16 (saturday) Tour over after breakfast; bus to Annecy (2 hrs)
17 (sunday) Annecy (stay in Annecy? or return to Geneva?)
18 (monday) Geneva (stay airport hotel Geneva)
19 early flight home from Geneva

Thanks for your travel tips and local knowledge!

Posted by princess pupule

martinez, ca, usa

03/31/23 10:41 PM

2405 posts

hey hey nancy
a few things different from you but we (2 good friends) did spend 2 nights in geneva and 5 nights annecy, back to paris for 8 nights, september/october 2019. geneva is/was expensive.
i would stay in annecy for 2 nights, on my favorite place list. it's a gorgeous small town around the lake with different villages.
annecycitytour.fr/ annecy
small van that takes you around on a tour, fee$
about-france.com
info about this historic city, towns nearby, things to do on the lake, the mountain views, river thiou running through it, center with it's many shops/restaurants/cafes, bakeries, dress shops/ market days (tuesday, friday, sunday)
annecypromenadeenbateaux.com
boat rides on the lake, stop at a tourist kiosk in city center and see what's available
creperie ti mad (21rue royale)
yummy crepes
rotisserie du thiou (passage de L eveche)
on side canal, had fondue lunch fixed price.hole in the wall, sit outside and enjoy our glass of wine, meal and people watch.
looked at La Freti, was closed until dinner but too fu fu and liked being outside
al vesuvio (13 rue l'lle)
an italian place, many tables outside to enjoy people walking down the breezeway during market day on sunday, crowded, dog friendly, conversing with other europeans at table, had calzones & pizza & wine. fabulous day
curegourmande.fr (1 rue de la paix)
candy, cookie, bisquit shop with darling tin boxes all french theme pictures. talk a walk and enjoy.
francetravelblog.com/ annecy
we took a taxi from geneva hotel to annecy, about 35 minutes 95E. was worth it to us. the train would have taken 2 1/2 hours and we both said no way. stayed in an apartment about 2 miles from center.
took a private taxi tour with same taxi people to places around the lake, stopped a working cow farm and had their special fondue that you make right at your table, saw the paragliders/hang gliders soaring right above us.
your time is short but make the most of it. enjoy and have fun
aloha