Geneva, Lausanne and Prague Student Group Itinerary

Morning: Airport arrival and the lakefront

From Geneva Airport, take the airport train to Genève-Cornavin—the ride is only about 7 minutes—or use a pre-booked minibus or taxis for the group, allowing roughly 20–30 minutes door to door with luggage. Walk the short distance to Novotel Genève Centre to leave bags; rooms may not be ready, but reception can usually store luggage. From the hotel, walk downhill through Pâquis toward Lake Geneva, then follow the waterfront to Jet d’Eau. Allow about 30 minutes for photographs, keeping a little distance from the spray in winter wind. The promenade is open at all hours, though the fountain can be shut off in poor weather or for maintenance.

Midday: Old Town and the cathedral

Continue along the lake and across Pont du Mont-Blanc, then walk through Rues-Basses and uphill into Geneva’s Old Town. At St. Pierre Cathedral, plan about an hour: visit the main nave first, then climb the tower steps for one of the best compact city views, reaching across the rooftops to the lake and surrounding Alps on a clear day. The tower visit is generally ticketed separately, usually around CHF 7–10 for adults, with reduced rates for students; check the January opening schedule, as winter hours are shorter and tower access may close before the church. For a quick group lunch, use one of the cafés around Place du Bourg-de-Four, but reserve ahead if all 18 travelers need to sit together.

Afternoon and evening: Reformation history and fondue

Walk a few minutes to the International Museum of the Reformation, housed beside the cathedral, for an hour tracing Geneva’s role in the Reformation through manuscripts, objects, and accessible multimedia displays. It is typically closed on Mondays and open on winter afternoons, but confirm the January 2027 hours before arrival; group or student rates may be available. Afterwards, leave time to wander the quiet lanes around Rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre and Place du Molard before dinner at Les Armures. Reserve a group table well in advance and request a set fondue arrangement; budget roughly CHF 35–60 per person before drinks. Fondue is filling, so a shared salad or small starter is plenty. After dinner, walk back to Novotel Genève Centre in about 15–20 minutes, or split the group between short taxis if the weather is icy.

Morning: CERN Science Gateway

After breakfast at Novotel Genève Centre, meet your coach or group leaders promptly for the short ride to CERN Science Gateway in Meyrin—allow about 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic. Your reserved morning visit should run for roughly three hours, combining hands-on exhibitions and guided physics activities. Arrive 15 minutes early for security and group check-in; large bags are best left at the hotel or on the coach, and students should bring identification if requested. Entry is generally free, but timed reservations are essential, especially for a group of 18. The exhibitions are indoors, making this a good cold-weather morning; check the official schedule before departure because opening days and guided-session times can vary.

Afternoon: Maison Cailler

Continue by coach to Maison Cailler in Broc, budgeting about 1½ hours each way. The journey through the Gruyère countryside is part of the appeal, but roads can be slow in January, so keep the group together at rest stops and confirm the return departure time before entering. Allow approximately 2½ hours for the chocolate museum, tasting rooms, and shop. The visit is indoors and accessible, though the tasting area can be busy; students may want to purchase gifts only after the main tour so nobody is separated from the group. Wear warm shoes and bring a coat for the coach and any brief outdoor walking. Return to Geneva in the late afternoon, with a quick snack on the bus if needed rather than trying to fit in a formal meal.

Evening: Skating, the lakefront and fondue

Head first to the seasonal ice rink at Parc des Bastions in Plainpalais, allowing about 1½ hours for skating. Operating dates, ice conditions, rental availability, and prices vary by winter season, so confirm the rink’s same-day status; gloves are strongly recommended, and the group should establish one meeting point beside the rink. From there, take a short tram or coach ride toward Bains des Pâquis for a relaxed 45-minute Lake Geneva stop. In January it will be cold and dark, so treat this as a brief lakeside pause rather than a long walk—warm drinks and the illuminated waterfront make it worthwhile. Finish at Café du Soleil in Petit-Saconnex, a classic local choice for fondue, usually around CHF 30–50 per person before drinks. Reserve well ahead for 18 people and ask for several shared fondue caquelons; keep the meal to about 1½ hours, then return by pre-arranged coach or taxi vans to the hotel.

Morning: Mass and the train to Lausanne

Begin at Basilique Notre-Dame de Genève, beside Cornavin Station, for the confirmed Catholic Mass. Allow about 45 minutes, arriving 10–15 minutes early so the group can enter quietly and sit together; services and access can vary, so confirm the Sunday schedule directly with the basilica. After Mass, walk straight into Genève-Cornavin for the direct SBB train to Lausanne. The ride takes roughly 40–45 minutes; reserve group seating if possible and keep everyone together for the short transfer.

Midday and afternoon: Lausanne’s historic center and lakefront

From Lausanne Station, take the metro or a short taxi ride uphill to Lausanne Cathedral in the Cité quarter. Spend about an hour inside the cathedral and wandering the surrounding medieval lanes; the climb through the old town is steep, so comfortable shoes are essential. A downhill walk toward central Lausanne brings you to the Esplanade de Montbenon, a good open-air pause with broad views across Lake Geneva and, on a clear day, the French Alps. Allow about 45 minutes here rather than rushing—the terrace is particularly pleasant for group photos and a quick snack.

Continue by metro toward Ouchy for the Olympic Museum, where two hours gives the students enough time for the interactive displays, memorabilia, and sports-history exhibits. Check the museum’s current Sunday hours and admission before leaving Geneva; budget approximately CHF 20 per adult, with reduced student or group rates often available. Afterward, take the M2 metro back toward Lausanne and get off near Grancy for dinner at Café de Grancy. This relaxed brasserie is a practical choice for a large group, with varied dishes and a typical budget of CHF 30–50 per person; reserve ahead and ask for one long table or two adjacent tables. Keep the evening unhurried, since the group will need to return to the station or hotel and prepare for the early departure the next day.

Morning: Geneva’s international quarter

After breakfast in Lausanne, take the early direct SBB train to Genève-Aéroport, then meet your pre-arranged coach. Keep the luggage secured onboard and aim to reach Palais des Nations by about 10:00 for security and group check-in. The coach ride from the airport area to Nations is usually around 15–20 minutes, but allow extra time for winter traffic and the group’s 18 passports.

Begin with photographs at Broken Chair in Ariana Park, an impressive anti-landmine monument just across from the UN complex. Twenty minutes is enough, and the park is particularly quiet in the morning. Proceed to the reserved 10:30 guided tour of Palais des Nations, which normally lasts about 90 minutes. Everyone should carry official photo identification; security is airport-style, and large bags may not be permitted. Tour access and prices are booking-dependent, so confirm the group reservation in advance.

Midday: Humanitarian history

Walk a few minutes through Ariana Park to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. Plan roughly 90 minutes for its powerful, thoughtfully presented exhibitions on war, displacement, and humanitarian response. The museum is generally open Tuesday–Sunday, with hours and admission changing seasonally; reserve a group slot and check the current schedule before departure. For a quick break, use the museum café or have the coach provide packed sandwiches—this keeps the afternoon moving and avoids an awkward restaurant stop with luggage and airport timing.

Afternoon and evening: Old Town dinner, then Prague

After the museum, take the coach toward Geneva Old Town for an early dinner at Café Papon, a traditional French-style restaurant on Rue Henri-Fazy. Allow about an hour for the meal and budget approximately CHF 35–60 per person; request a group menu or preselected dishes so service stays prompt. The restaurant is in a historic setting near Parc des Bastions, but this is best treated as a brief atmospheric stop rather than a full sightseeing visit. Leave the Old Town with a generous airport buffer: for an evening flight, plan to reach Geneva Airport two to three hours before departure, allowing time for coach loading, check-in, security, and passport control. After the flight to Prague, your waiting coach should take the group directly to the hotel; keep passports, medication, and one warm layer in hand luggage rather than in the checked bags.

Morning

Plan on arriving at the conference venue in central Prague 10–15 minutes before the morning session; exact transit depends on the venue, but the city’s central districts are easiest by tram or metro, with a 30-minute ticket costing about CZK 30. Leave coats and day bags organized before sessions begin—January is cold, and cloakroom space can be limited. After roughly three hours of scheduled programming, walk toward Old Town Square for lunch. The route through Old Town is compact but often busy, so keep the group together at crossings and around tram tracks.

Lunch in Old Town

Spend about an hour at Old Town Square, looking up at the Astronomical Clock as the hour changes and taking in the surrounding Gothic and Baroque façades. It is worth wandering one block away from the square for better-value food: Havelská Koruna on Havelská Street serves quick Czech cafeteria-style dishes, usually around CZK 180–300 per student. Keep the square itself for photographs rather than a full meal, where prices are higher. In winter, the square can be icy, so sturdy shoes are more useful than fashionable footwear.

Afternoon and dinner

Return to the conference venue after lunch for the afternoon’s three-hour session, allowing at least 15 minutes for the walk or tram ride back. Once the program ends, make your way to Lokál Dlouhááá on Dlouhá Street, a lively Czech beer-hall restaurant a short walk from Old Town Square. Reserve ahead for all 18 travelers and request one or two adjoining tables; the restaurant is popular with locals and may not be able to seat a large group spontaneously. Expect about CZK 350–600 per person for mains, sides, and a drink—try svíčková, schnitzel, or goulash, with nonalcoholic beer available. Dinner should take around 90 minutes, after which the group can walk back through Old Town or use the nearest tram/metro connection to the hotel; keep the evening unhurried after a full conference day.

Morning

Arrive at the conference venue 10–15 minutes before the morning session and keep the group together on the way in; central Prague is easiest by tram or metro, with a 30-minute public-transport ticket costing about CZK 30. After roughly three hours of scheduled sessions, walk toward Klementinum through Old Town. This is a pleasant, compact route—allow 15–20 minutes—and gives you a chance to see the quieter lanes around Karlova before the midday visit.

Midday and Afternoon

Allow about 1½ hours at Klementinum, whose historic halls and library-tour experience are normally visited only with a timed guided admission. Check the official schedule in advance, as entry times and tour availability vary; expect roughly CZK 300–400 per student, with possible group or youth discounts. The baroque interiors are the highlight, while the tower views are an optional extra if your ticket includes them. Leave enough time afterward to return to the conference venue for the afternoon’s approximately three-hour sessions—walking takes around 20 minutes, or use a short tram ride if the weather is icy.

Evening

For dinner, head to Café Louvre in New Town, a short tram ride or 15–20-minute walk from most central conference locations. This grand, old-fashioned café is a good fit for a student group: substantial Czech and Central European dishes, soups, schnitzel-style meals, salads, and excellent hot chocolate, usually around CZK 300–550 per person. Reserve a table for all 18 travelers, ideally for an early seating around 6:00 p.m.; service can slow during busy hours. After dinner, take a brief stroll along Národní before returning to the hotel, but keep the evening easy after a full conference day.

Morning

Arrive at the conference venue 10–15 minutes before the first session and keep the group together through registration and security. Since the morning program runs about three hours, have students bring only what they need; Prague’s January weather is cold, and wet coats quickly become awkward in a crowded meeting room. For local transport, use a 30-minute public-transport ticket—about CZK 30—or a 90-minute ticket if the venue is farther out; trams and the metro are generally more reliable than a large group of taxis.

Lunch and afternoon

For the lunch break, walk to Wenceslas Square, Prague’s broad New Town boulevard, allowing around 10–15 minutes from a central venue. Spend roughly 45 minutes taking in the long square, the National Museum façade at the upper end, and the lively mix of shops and cafés. In January, plan an indoor lunch nearby rather than relying on outdoor seating; a quick meal typically costs CZK 180–300. Return to the conference venue with a little time to spare for the afternoon session, which lasts approximately three hours. Keep the group’s route simple and agree on one clearly marked meeting point—Můstek or Muzeum metro stations are useful landmarks if anyone becomes separated.

Evening

After the conference, head to Maitrea in Old Town, near Old Town Square, for the reserved dinner. The restaurant specializes in vegetarian-friendly Czech and international food, with main dishes generally around CZK 300–550 per person. It is a good choice for a group, but reserve ahead and send the full party size and any dietary requirements in advance; the dining room can be busy in the evening. Allow about 1½ hours, then walk together through the historic lanes toward your accommodation or take the nearest tram or metro. In winter, watch for slick cobblestones and keep students in pairs, particularly around the busy pedestrian streets near Old Town Square.

Morning

Start with the morning session at the conference venue in central Prague, arriving 10–15 minutes early for registration and a calm start. The scheduled program lasts about three hours; students should bring only essentials, since coats and larger bags can make security and seating slower. For transit, use the nearest tram or metro stop and allow extra time in January—platforms and sidewalks can be slippery, and a 30-minute public-transport ticket costs about CZK 30. During the break, a quick coffee from a nearby bakery is more practical than trying to move the whole group.

Afternoon Break

After the morning sessions, head to Petřín Hill in Malá Strana for roughly two hours outdoors. From central Prague, walk across Legion Bridge and uphill through the quiet lanes toward the Petřín Gardens; the climb is pleasant but steep, taking around 25–35 minutes depending on the starting point. The Petřín funicular is convenient when operating, but it is periodically closed for maintenance, so do not build the schedule around it—check the DPP Prague website or app that morning. At the top, leave time for the viewpoints around Petřín Lookout Tower and the wintry garden paths. Wear shoes with good traction and keep students together, as the hill has several branching paths. If the weather is clear, the views toward Prague Castle and the red roofs of the city are excellent; in fog or snow, the wooded walk is still worthwhile.

Late Afternoon and Evening

Return to the conference venue for the final approximately 2½-hour session, allowing at least 30 minutes to descend from Petřín Hill and cross back into the center. Afterward, walk or take a short tram ride to U Medvídků in the Old Town, a historic beer hall on Na Perštýně known for hearty Czech cooking and its own beer. Reserve a group table in advance and tell the restaurant that you are a student party of 16 plus two chaperones; large groups are usually seated most smoothly with a limited pre-order. Expect about CZK 350–650 per person for a main course, drink, and possibly dessert. Good choices include svíčková, goulash, roast duck, or schnitzel, with non-alcoholic beer and lemonade available for students. The restaurant is generally open into the evening, but confirm the exact January hours and group seating when booking. After dinner, the hotel is easiest by tram or metro rather than splitting into taxis; have one chaperone lead and another bring up the rear at crossings and crowded stops.

Morning

Arrive at the conference venue 10–15 minutes before the first session, allowing extra time for coats, registration, and any security check. Keep students in small assigned groups rather than moving all 18 people as one block; Prague’s trams and metro are efficient but crowded during weekday rush hour. For central travel, a 30-minute public-transport ticket costs about CZK 30, while a 90-minute ticket is about CZK 40; check the exact route in PID Lítačka because the best tram or metro connection depends on the venue.

Lunch: Národní třída

Use the one-hour break to walk or take public transport to Národní třída, one of central Prague’s liveliest streets, with bookshops, cafés, galleries, and the Quadrio shopping center. For a group this size, the food court is the easiest option: students can choose Czech, Asian, vegetarian, or fast-casual meals without waiting for a large restaurant table. Allow roughly CZK 180–300 per person, and keep the meeting point beneath the distinctive Dancing Café area near the Národní tram stop so nobody gets separated. In January, leave a few minutes for warming up indoors before returning to the conference.

Afternoon and Evening

Return to the conference venue for the afternoon’s approximately three-hour session. Have students carry only essentials and keep valuables zipped away, especially on busy trams. Afterward, take the tram or metro toward Anděl in Smíchov; allow 20–30 minutes from central Prague, depending on the venue and evening traffic. Finish at Manifesto Market Anděl, a relaxed, largely covered food market with multiple stalls, communal seating, and choices that work well for different diets. Dinner generally runs about CZK 250–500 per person. Check the winter opening schedule before setting out, as individual stalls and market hours can change seasonally; agree on a firm regrouping time and meeting point near the entrance.

Morning

Arrive at the conference venue in central Prague 10–15 minutes before the final morning session, allowing time for coats, registration, and any security procedures. The program should run about three hours; keep bags light and have students stay with their assigned small groups. Afterward, take the tram or walk toward Josefov, Prague’s former Jewish Quarter—allow 15–25 minutes depending on the venue. A 30-minute public-transport ticket costs about CZK 30, while a 24-hour ticket is roughly CZK 120; use the PID Lítačka app for current fares and route information.

Afternoon in Josefov

Spend about 2½ hours at the Jewish Museum in Prague, whose admission covers the historic synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery. The museum’s sites are spread through Josefov, so treat this as a walking visit rather than one single building; the Spanish Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Klausen Synagogue, and cemetery are generally open from around 9:00 to 18:00, though winter schedules and holiday closures should be checked before arrival. Students should dress warmly—several sites are unheated—and remember that modest clothing and quiet behavior are expected. Leave a little time afterward for a hot chocolate or coffee along Pařížská Street before continuing toward the river.

Late afternoon and farewell dinner

Walk south through Old Town to Charles Bridge, allowing roughly 20 minutes from Josefov. The bridge is especially atmospheric in the late afternoon, when the light catches the Vltava and the castle comes into view; plan about 45 minutes for the crossing, photographs, and a short pause beside the Old Town Bridge Tower or on Kampa Island. Continue uphill by tram or on foot to Kuchyň in the Prague Castle district for the farewell meal. Reserve well ahead for all 18 travelers and request tables together; the restaurant serves Czech dishes in a relaxed, canteen-style format, with dinner typically around CZK 400–700 per person, excluding drinks. Arrive before dark if possible so the group can enjoy the city panorama from the terrace area, weather permitting, and confirm the closing time when booking.

Early Morning: Hotel to the airport

Leave the Prague hotel at least three hours before the group’s scheduled departure from Václav Havel Airport Prague. For 18 travelers with luggage, a pre-booked coach is the easiest option; allow roughly 30–45 minutes from central Prague, with extra time for January traffic or icy roads. Ask the hotel to prepare takeaway breakfasts, and have students keep passports, boarding passes, medication, and conference documents in their hand luggage. The airport has cafés and water fountains after security, but do not rely on finding a large table for the whole group.

Airport and flight to Los Angeles

At Václav Havel Airport Prague, go directly to the airline check-in or bag-drop area, then regroup after security rather than trying to move through the terminal as one large block. Verify baggage tags all the way to Los Angeles International Airport if the itinerary includes a connection, and keep the chaperones’ seating and emergency-contact lists accessible. The flight to Los Angeles will take substantially longer than the Prague–Los Angeles timetable shown on the ticket if there is a European or U.S. connection; students should adjust watches to Pacific Time after boarding, drink water, and save arrival instructions offline for the transfer from LAX.