Geneva is one of the cities in the world that just about everyone will have seen on TV at one time or another courtesy to the large numbers of international organisations there and the conferences that they hold, but relatively few will have visited it.
Unfortunately most of the organisations have what are essentially headquarters in the city and therefore visits to them can be quite dry affairs. Perhaps the best one is the Red Cross but, despite the vast amount of material that they clearly have to work with, a visit there can be a very dry affair.
The main thing that probably sticks in your memory is the water jet, of course. This was originally a means of regulating the pressure on the water supply but these days is just a tourist thing. Outside the main holiday seasons, it's only working from 10am to 10pm (it's illuminated at night) and is off for three weeks each November for maintenance.
However, outside the fairly dry administrative offices, the city is very lively and an excellent spot if you're looking for upmarket shops. Watch the prices on the restaurant menus as many are aimed squarely at the expense accounts of the administrators in the city and so prices for even relatively simple starters running to EUR 20 or more in some places.
Accommodation in the city is similarly overpriced and it's much more economic to stay just across the border in France. This is very practical too as it's a matter of 20 minutes from the border hotels to Geneva.
The currency used is the Swiss Franc but Euros and US Dollars are accepted in many shops. The convertion rate is variable but roughly SF 30 equates to around $30, €20 or £15.
The nearest airport is Geneva (GVA) is served by a relatively small number of discount and international airlines considering the international connections that the city has.
The Swiss rail system is excellent and a very punctual way of getting you to and from Geneva. There's a tram system in the central area of the city.
