New Year - Zurich or Geneva ?

zagmund

We're going to be away on a ski holiday over Christmas (wooohooo) and are thinking about extending the stay for a few days to cover New Year. We will be in Switzerland and don't want a major trek when coming home so the choices would appear to be either Zurich or Geneva but I'm open to suggestions. We have a milestone birthday to celebrate for Mrs Zag while we're away, and this extra few days would be part of the present.

It's been a long time since I've been in either city and I've been to neither over New Year, but if memory serves me correctly Zurich is a bit Frankfurt/City of London-y and might be a little empty or dead over the holidays, while Geneva has a reputation for a little more life.

Can anyone who knows the cities better indicate whether the above is correct or whether I'm grossly over-simplifying ?

If you had a choice between the two (or somewhere else in the region (linked by rail and with an airport with flights to Dublin) to spend New Years, which would you choose ?

z

zagmund

It looks like Zurich has some good celebrations - http://www.panoramajournal.ch/newyearseve-switzerland/new-years-eve-zurich/newyearpartymagicfireworks/index.html

Based on this - http://www.travour.com/new-year/new-year-around-the-world/switzerland/ - it looks like Zurich wins out, but I would be interested to hear if anyone has any views on Geneva.

z

I have been to both a few times and prefer Geneva every day of the week. Zurich is very quiet at nightime nice during the day but lot more life in Genevas old town.

Nyon

Hi,

I've been living here in Geneva for the last 2 years and to be honest it's not the most exciting place in the world. It depends what you are looking for really. If you're looking for something relaxed by all means GVA is great.
If you're looking for a party atmosphere i'd go with Lausanne. Which is about a 40 minute train/car ride away from Geneva.

SomeFool

Hard to say more without knowing where you will be skiing but Milan would both be worth a look maybe. I've found both Zurich and Geneva to be on the quiet side if it's a party you're after. Choosing between the two I'd go with Geneva.

jeffarcher

What are the most popular destinations for new years? Any good festivals on around that time of year?

TBH, if I had a choice between Zurich and Geneva I'd go to Basel.