Finally, the last cold blast of the 2020/2021 winter is (knock on wood!) in the rearview. A quick glance at Geneva’s 10-day forecast reveals that balmy spring weather is here to stay, aside from the odd April shower.
Happily, this new season coincides with relaxed COVID-19 restrictions. Have you ventured out to a terrace since their reopening on Monday, 19 April? For some, the crowds might seem a bit worrisome. However, there’s no doubt that many people are embracing the al fresco scene.
Beyond the terraces and (limited) sports and cultural activities, are you searching for ways to fill your post-confinement free time? Ready to spend a few hours with people face-to-face? The AIWC is here to help with fresh ideas! Not yet an AIWC member? Or has your membership lapsed over the past year(s)? Consider joining by 30 April to take advantage of the exceptional offer below!
The AIWC offers more than 40 activities (day and evening), special events, volunteer service opportunities, and much more to its members. Many AIWC activities have seamlessly transitioned to Zoom during the pandemic, while others will gradually resume (health guidelines permitting) as of 3 May. Until then, several of our outdoor activities are back in full swing!
Explore the Geneva region on foot!*
How are those leg muscles? Between winter, gym closures and COVID-19 restrictions, it hasn’t been easy to maintain an exercise routine. Get those stems working again with a variety of hikes around Geneva and surrounding Suisse Romande. Not sure of the best route? Let the AIWC take care of planning and navigation. Simply choose which of our four (!) hiking groups best suits your schedule and level:
Friday Morning Hikes: This dynamic group meets year-round, and leads hikers through the beautiful Geneva/Vaud countryside for 2-3 hours. Most hikes depart around 9:00 and wrap up by lunch. The pace is brisk, so if you’re looking for a more leisurely stroll, keep reading!
Wednesday Wanderers: Do you enjoy a gentler hiking pace, or the occasional pause to take photographs of Geneva’s scenic landscapes? Then this hiking group might be the one for you! Wednesday Wanderers meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, dedicating time for a leisurely two-hour hike through the Geneva and Vaud countryside.
Monday Adventure Hiking: Wanting to venture beyond your usual hiking territory? This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, and takes its members further afield (and outside of Geneva canton). The hikes themselves are 3+ hours along moderate/hard trails. When combined with travel to and from, Adventure Hiking requires an all-day commitment from participants. This is also the only group where the hikes are not scouted in advance.
Wags & Woofs: Do you have a four-legged hiker in your family? Bring them along to Wags & Woofs, designed with our furry friends in mind! This group meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month for a 1.5/2-hour afternoon walk around Geneva.
*Public transportation is primarily used to reach the departure/return points of each hike.
Calling all Green Thumbs!
Friday, 30 April, 13:00. Mark your calendar! Are you an experienced gardener, and everything you plant flourishes and thrives? Or perhaps your gardening efforts are more hit-or-miss? Cultivating a garden to beautify your indoor/outdoor spaces? Or trying your hand at growing your own fruits/vegetables? For information on where to buy gardening supplies in Geneva, read our Living in Geneva article here. Then consider joining our upcoming AIWC Zoom event, A Beginner’s Guide to Gardening in Geneva. An experienced gardener will share her best tips on getting the most out of your plants: layout, pots vs. borders, pests, annuals vs. perennials and much more.
Photography at every level!
Have a passion for photography? Join the AIWC Photography group to sharpen your skills, develop your style, improve the use of your camera and more! This enthusiastic group of women meets monthly, focusing on various themes. Camera type and skill level isn’t important, all are welcome. For the moment, all photography locations will be outdoors. The themes for May and June are Pairs and Tools of the Trade, respectively.
For more information about the activities outlined above and more, click here. Need more details on joining the AIWC? Click here to learn more.
Give back to Geneva with Partage!
Friday and Saturday, 4-5 June. Have you missed ways to give back to your community this past year? Consider giving your time to Partage during the upcoming Samedi du Partage in early June. Partage serves as Geneva’s food bank, and its mission is more important than ever. Members of the AIWC volunteer often with Partage, and more details can be found here. However, you don’t have to be an AIWC member to volunteer with Partage. For example, you can sign up directly on their website for a volunteer slot (during Samedi du Partage) at your preferred Coop or Migros. The food donated from shoppers during Samedi du Partage is then sorted and distributed to needy individuals/families in Geneva. For more details on becoming a Partage volunteer, click here.
How are you spending these sunny and springtime days? Tell us in the comments below!
We are a group of international women living in Geneva, Switzerland. If you would like to learn more about our activities and excursions, visit our website at http://www.aiwcgeneva.org/
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