An Amsterdam canal with boats and historic waterfront buildings — Photo: Airam Dato-on / Pexels

TRAVEL NOTES

The details make the difference.

Planning a city break or a day at a famous sight? Find advice on getting around, what to bring and the details worth checking before you go.

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Brown leather bag with passport in an airport setting, ideal for travel and fashion themes.

Travel questions · General guide

Does your passport need six months left? Check before you book

An unexpired passport is not always enough for a trip, but six months is not a rule everywhere. Check the right dates and requirements for your passport and route.

Phone connected to a portable power bank with a charging cable

Flying and packing · General guide

Power banks and batteries on flights: what to pack

Keep a power bank accessible, read its watt-hour rating and check your airline’s rules before flying. Here is how to prepare your electronics, including if a cabin bag goes into the hold.

Geneva old-town street leading towards Saint-Pierre Cathedral’s green spire

Neighbourhood walks · Geneva

Geneva old-town walk: Bourg-de-Four, the Arsenal and Treille

Link Geneva’s cathedral precinct, cannons, historic-house option and a bench with a view, with a specific Swiss meal close to the route.

Sunset light on Geneva’s historic waterfront and moored passenger boats

First visit · Geneva

A first weekend in Geneva: old town, Carouge and the lake shore

Plan two Geneva days around Saint-Pierre, a proper Swiss meal, Carouge’s market streets and a lake-side finish, with clear ticket and seasonal choices.

A yellow and red Mouettes shuttle boat on Geneva’s lake with the Jet d’Eau behind

Getting around · Geneva

Geneva boats: Mouettes crossings, lake cruises and winter alternatives

Choose between a local Mouettes crossing, a seasonal sightseeing cruise and a longer winter outing, with clear transport-card and ticket distinctions.

The railway and pedestrian Jonction viaduct above the contrasting Rhône and Arve waters in Geneva

Outdoor walks · Geneva

Geneva’s Jonction walk: Rhône, Arve and the viaduct viewpoint

Follow a locally researched Geneva river outing towards the Rhône–Arve meeting, with a clear viewpoint choice, a shorter route and an inland meal stop.

The columned entrance facade of Saint-Pierre Cathedral in Geneva

Visit planning · Geneva

Saint-Pierre in Geneva: cathedral towers, archaeology and separate tickets

Choose a Saint-Pierre visit with clear tower, archaeological-site and combined-ticket distinctions, plus a nearby Swiss meal and a shorter alternative.

Stone-paved Gjirokastër bazaar lane between white house fronts and projecting wooden windows

Neighbourhood walks · Gjirokastër

Gjirokastër bazaar: branching lanes, craft shops and a local meal

Explore Gjirokastër’s bazaar through its branching streets, workshop fronts and a specific traditional-food stop, with a shorter version for wet or hot days.

Gjirokastër Castle clock tower above its stone arcade beneath a blue sky

Visit planning · Gjirokastër

Gjirokastër Castle: clock tower, valley views and museum choices

Plan a focused Gjirokastër Castle visit, separating open terraces, military-history displays and the Cold War Tunnel before choosing your tickets.

Gjirokastër hillside houses and stone roofs descending towards the Drinos valley

First visit · Gjirokastër

A first weekend in Gjirokastër: castle, bazaar and house museums

Plan two days in Gjirokastër with a castle visit, a bazaar meal and a deliberate choice of historic houses, keeping the climbs manageable.