http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20874 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20874 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20838
It was a massive departure from the acres of pistes and vibrant night life of our previous choices but we were met with a very picturesque vehicle-free town, just perfect for our group of mixed ability skiers and boarders and babies.

We rented an apartment in the sports centre which was a rather brutal concrete structure on the edge of the village and quite a counterpoint from the timber shingled charm of the rest of the resort. But it was an enormous balconied apartment with views over the village and with access to the centre's facilities of swimming pool and crèche where little ones over two can be left for a 2.5 hour morning session.

The mixture of runs caters to all abilities and the off-piste run down from the Schilthorn restaurant is an experience to be savoured, again and again. Most of the runs end up back at the ski school which sits in the centre of the village and is a great focus point for absolute beginners.

Anyone looking for a change or a slow down from the piste and bar hammering days of their youth should give Murren some serious consideration.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20838 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20523
Instead of pool tables, there's a tree trunk, a box full of nails and a hammer - all that you need to play nageln. The purpose of the game is to hammer four nails into the trunk with the fewest blows - the loser buys a round of shots. I ended up buying a lot of shots. Other bars, slightly quieter but with similar clientele are the small and cosy Rotliechtli and the Bolgenplaza where you can drink and watch the crazier snowboarders trying to kill themselves on the floodlit halfpipe.

The Bolgenschanze is situated at the base of the Jakobshorn ski area which is the most popular with boarders as it's all chairlifts (apart from one, long drag that is worth the pain for the off-piste it opens up). With a little bit of hiking, it also has one of the best off-piste rides - an awesome, steep off-piste descent from the top of the Jatzhorn down to Teufi where you can get a bus back into Davos.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20523 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19717 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19717 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19267
Sounds tacky? I thought it would be, but it wasn't! Swimming in the lake in the height of the summer with city views all around, the jet d'eau in the background and the snow-capped mountains in the distance is really something else.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19267 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18799
Skip the overpriced archeological remains under St Peter's Cathedral as this museum tells you more about Geneva's history and has free entry. Great for children.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18799 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18798 There are also numerous cheap cafés.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18798 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18797 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18797 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18796 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18796 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18795
It's better if you walk along the jetty which extends from the port to the fountain itself.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18795 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18794
Don't miss the massive wooden chair - a monument to landmine victims.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18794 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18793
There are shady little squares and swish mansions and is a good part of the city to see on your way back to Cornavin train station.

Beware of pickpockets though!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18793 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18792
From Cornavin train station, go down Rue du Mont Blanc and cross the river Rhône via the Pont Mont Blanc, stopping to admire superb views of Lake Geneva, St Peter's Cathedral, Ile Rousseau and Pont des Bergues.

Once across Pont Mont Blanc, walk alongside the Rhône river via the embankment to see Port St Gervais and enter the shopping district of Geneva.

Walk along Rue de la Conféderation, Rue de la Croix d'or and Rue du Rhône.

Turn off Rue de la Conféderation at Place Madelaine and walk up into the old city to Place Bourg Four (good cheap cafés here) and climb Rue de l'Hôtel de Ville to look at the murals depicting the history of Geneva and the cannons.

Enter Cours St Pierre and visit St Peter's Cathedral. Then descend back to the shopping district and head to the Jardin Anglais to see the famous Jet d'eau and flower clock.

Walk alongside Lake Geneva (Rive Gauche) - for children there is a beach on this side of the lake.

Go through the Jardin Anglais, go across Pont Mont Blanc and walk alongside lake Geneva (Rive Droite) stopping to admire views of Mont Blanc across the lake and see the Brunswick monument.

Return to Cornavin train station via Les Paquis district (to the west of Quai Wilson). Go up Rue de Lausanne and follow signs to Cornavin train station.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18792 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18790 Its interior is truly impressive and for 3 CHF you can climb the 157 steps up to the tower for stunning views (tip: if you can't or don't want to climb up to the tower than the same view can be seen on a poster just next to the entrance). The exterior of the cathedral is a curious mismatch of building styles too with a Romanized façade (columns).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18790 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18788
There are numerous undercover shopping malls just off each street too which are great places to escape from the summer heat.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18788 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18546 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18546 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18015 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18015 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17635 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17635 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17488 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17488 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17487 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17487