Dear All,
I am going to Geneva for a buisness trip from 09-12 September. I have two days free and wanted some tips of how best I could utilise the time for sight seeing in and around Geneva(have to get back at night to geneva on both days). Please also suggest some places where I can get a good look at the countryside and mountain ranges and travel mode to these places.
Thanks.
Bali.

Hi,

As Geneva is a pretty small and compact town, in 2 days you'll be able to see the essential. I think one of the best ways is to buy a map and walk around the centre. The water front is lovely, and you can walk from the Mon Repos park towards the bridge (Pont du Mont-Blanc)in direction of Park de la Grange. All the time you'll se France and the Alps. Another advice is to take a boat trip and see Geneva from the Lake, or you can take the cable car up to Mont Salève (1100 m) for a splendid view.

If you want to get out and have at look at the surroundings, I can suggest the
beautiful little medieval town of Nyon, only about 15 minutes by train from Geneva railway station.

Have a nice stay!

Nyperose

I agree with nyperose. The boat and Nyon and the Saleve are all good. Please note the Saleve is in France, so you'll need a Schengen visa to take the cable car (Switzerland joins Schengen in November though).

Since you have two days and seem ready to explore the environs, I wanted also to suggest a train trip to Lausanne (beyond Nyon). It's just one hour away and you get some great views of the lake with mountains behind on the way. Also you can see the Swiss villages on the Jura from the train. There are a few things to see at Lausanne as well, and beyond there several trains head up in to the mountains. You could go to Gruyere, Chateau d'Oex or even Zermatt if it's a clear day and you want to see the Matterhorn. Zermatt/Matterhorn is a long day, but the other two are do-able as day trips, if you are really fond of mountains.