Geneva & Cern

A FIVE NIGHT HOLIDAY | 2 MAY 2023

Join readers of New Scientist magazine to discover the world’s greatest physics laboratory, accompanied by particle physicist Darren Price. One of the world’s most important centres of science and innovation, Geneva is also a charming lakeside city with a fascinating history. Our focus will be a visit to the CERN complex, where the European Organization for Nuclear Research operates the world’s largest particle physics laboratory, including the famous Large Hadron Collider. The largest machine ever constructed, with a circumference of 17 miles, the LHC is one of the most important research establishments in the world, and several areas are open to visitors. Guest Lecturer and particle physicist Darren Price will give an introductory talk on his work at CERN before we visit the complex. During our stay in Geneva we will also explore the old town, visit the Museum of the History of Science and learn about the traditional craft of watchmaking at the Patek Phillipe workshop. One day will be spent visiting the alpine town of Chamonix, in the shadow of Mont Blanc, where we will visit the Mer de Glace glacier and enjoy a fondue lunch. We also enjoy a dinner cruise on Lake Geneva on our final evening.

the itinerary

Flying direct into Geneva, we will be transferred to the 4* Hotel Royal Manotel in the centre of the city. The afternoon will be free and we will enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant.

This morning we will start with a walking tour of the old town centre of Geneva, including the Cathedral where John Calvin preached in the 16th century, and a visit to a traditional watchmaker where we learn more about one of the city’s most famous crafts. After lunch we will take a scenic cruise on Lake Geneva. This evening Darren Price will join us to give a talk on particle physics and his work at CERN.

Today is devoted to the CERN complex, just outside the city centre, where we shall gain an insight into the work which takes place here. Darren will accompany our visit to CERN and we will see the Universe of Particles exhibition inside the Globe of Science and Innovation – a 27-metre-high wooden dome – as well as the Microcosm exhibition, opened in 2016, which displays a range of interactive exhibits including a model section of the Large Hadron Collider, and a simulation of a particle accelerator. We will return to Geneva in the afternoon and say goodbye to Darren before meeting our second expert speaker, glacial archaeologist Laura Spinney. Laura will join the group for dinner and set the scene for tomorrow with a talk on the archaeological remains unearthed by receding glaciers.

4

Heading out of the city for the day, we will travel into the majestic Alps which provide Geneva’s striking backdrop. We will visit the charming small town of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, and take the mountain railway to the Mer de Glace where we will visit an ice cave carved into the glacier itself. We will enjoy a traditional fondue lunch and there will be an option to take a cable car up to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi, at over 3,800 metres. Dinner will be taken independently this evening.

5

Today we will start at the Museum of the History of Science, located by the lake, which opened in 1966 in the neo-classical Villa Bartholoni. The museum houses exhibits relating to astronomy, microscopy, meteorology and electricity, including a collection of old scientific instruments from the 17th to 19th century, such as microscopes, telescopes, thermometers and astrolabes. We will continue to the Palais des Nations, built for the League of Nations and still an important UN centre, before returning to the hotel. In the evening we enjoy a dinner cruise on Lake Geneva on board a historic Belle Epoque paddle steamer.

DAY

This morning will be free for independent sightseeing before we are taken to Geneva airport for the flight home.

DAY

DAY 6

CERN

TOUR INFORMATION

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICES

DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP

2 May £2,698 £395

Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS

Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 09.25, arrive Geneva 12.10 Depart Geneva 17.35, arrive London Heathrow 18.15 Flight times subject to change – regional departures available on request.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

• Return flights • Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast • All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities as described • Guest lectures from New Scientist contributor