It’s that time of year when you have to start thinking about extra-curricular activities for your children. La rentrée (going back to school) is fast approaching and your kids will soon be badgering you to book them on their favorite course – just one of hundreds of after-school classes that are now being offered for children in this region.
One course that you might like to consider, and which is being offered at the Futurekids Geneva center for the first time this year, is STRATEGIOS. On offer on Wednesday afternoons, and Tuesday and Thursday after school, this innovative workshop uses games to help young people aged from 6 to 14 develop essential reasoning skills.
The workshops have been carefully designed to help children analyse information, structure their thought processes, think logically, make decisions and solve problems: all skills they need to succeed in their studies and professional lives. Research in US universities has shown that programs similar to SRATEGIOS have resulted in children achieving significantly improved results in standardized verbal communication and mathematical tests. Download this flyer to find out more.
10th anniversary of the Sherlock Holmes Museum in Lucens
Why not sign-up for a great time in Lucens, Vaud, in a mystery-themed event around Sherlock Holmes? Saturday 3 September from 13h in the museum dedicated to Britains most famous sleuth, you will be able to participate in a mystery (adults: who killed the museum guide; families: someone has disappeared). Price Fr. 20.-/team.
From 16h take a ride on the double-decker red bus as well as London cabs. There will be other activities including snacks, drinks including British beers, the rally results, and the official ceremony.
Stay on at 19h30 to partake in a delicious meal inspired by all things British and ending in death by chocolate! Music, a whiskey bar, and magicians will make the whole event even more memorable. Fr. 60.-/person for the meal, sign-up obligatory and payment upon entry.
If you’re looking for something a little different to do with your family or friends, why not sign yourself up for this year’s “Balade - Au Fil du Gout”, organized by the Morges Tourist Office.
Taking place on Saturday 3rd September, this fourth edition of the gastronomic stroll along the vineyards of Morges will enable you to savour local wines and dishes while enjoying unbeatable views of Lake Geneva and the mountains beyond.
A new route has been prepared this year, going through the wine cellars of Yens, Lavigny, Etoy and Saint-Prex. At each cellar, participants will receive information about wine growing and will have the opportunity to enjoy different courses of a gastronomic meal. This mouth-watering experience will start with an appetizing aperitif of crudités at the Domaine Jean-Daniel et Sylvie Coeytaux in Yens, and finish with a choice of delicious tarts for dessert at the Domaine de Bon-Boccard in Saint-Prex. In between there will be the opportunity to sample a fine meal of “saucisson en croute” prepared at the Domaine Les Remans in Lavigny, followed by a selection of cheeses to taste at the Domaine des Chentres in Etoy.
Tourist Office
01220 Divonne-les-Bains
France
0033/450 20 01 22
www.divonnelesbains.com
www.divonnelesbains.fr 
Fantastic park in center of town with lots of climbing frames and swings. Shady. Note: Pick-up some freshly baked crusty bread, a chunk of local cheese, some sun-ripened tomatoes, and some fresh or dried fruit at the Sunday morning farmer’s market and stroll over the the park for a picnic. Some of the shops that line the streets where the market is are open on Sunday morning until about 13h, so you might even be able to buy a picnic blanket and some sunblock too!
There is an active program of events throughout the Summer, many of which are free. Download this flyer to see the full list of exhibitions, concerts, performances and other events being organized this year.
— Casino de Divonne
Av. des Thermes
01220 Divonne-les-Bains
France
0033/450 40 34 00
Casino with roulette, blackjack, slot machines 10h-04h. Open year-round. Non-smoking Casino with a ventilated smoking room.
Note: Once a month there is a themed evening buffet. You must be age 18 with ID and dressed appropriately. Menu and à-la-carte too. Check the hotel (page 152) for the Sunday brunch en famille.
A new company in Switzerland is offering a range of fitness and sports activities for men, women and children of all ages and ability.
Whether you’re looking to improve your general well-being, lose weight, tone and tighten your body, increase your fitness levels, or simply introduce a fitness regime into your life, then Pure Gravity is sure to have a program to suit you.
To get you started this Summer, the company is organizing a series of 2 hour bootcamps, costing only Fr. 40.-! Taking place on Sundays at the Parc de la Grange in Geneva, these bootcamps are specifically structured and tailored to deliver an express fitness program. High cardio drills, body conditioning drills, and strength and resistance training, are combined with friendly team games to ensure the time will simply fly by. With regular breaks to recharge your energy this is wonderful opportunity to get your body invigorated for the Summer.
