LOCAL AREA

Taking a whistle-stop tour of Geneva's sights in a red Minitrain. The trains explore the 28-hectare Botanic Gardens, with its greenhouses and conservatories, and rattle through the Old Quarter and past the grand facade of the United Nations building.

Stroll along the landscaped bank of Lake Geneva for outstanding view of Mont Blanc and lakefront landmarks. The famous Jet dEau fountain spouts 450-foot columns of water. Mont Blanc Bridge leads to the Jardin Anglais garden and the blooming Flower Clock.

It's an easy transfer to the Alpine peaks from the Holiday Inn Express Geneva Airport hotel for winter sports and mountain walks. Chamonix is 1 hour by car, across the border in France. You can order hot chocolate from cafes and explore local hamlets.

Guests checking in at the Holiday Inn Express Geneva Airport hotel get a complimentary transportation card, which treats you to a day's use of the efficient TPG bus and tram network. Use the pass to hop onto boat services across Lake Geneva.