Year: 2021

The Swiss tennis star loves trips to all parts of the country in all seasons. Here he exclusively shows his favourites and places he still wants to discover himself.

Roger's Choices: Best of Swiss Nature
To stand high above Europe's largest waterfall, feeling the roar and vibration of the water over one's entire body - this can be experienced at the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen. By ship one can reach castles, the Rhine Falls Basin and even the mighty rock in the midst of the waterfall.

Roger's Choice: Mountain Trips
Lugano’s home mountain and pinnacle of enjoyment - that’s San Salvatore! The striking mountain south of the town boasts 360° views over the lake and environs, far south and to the high Alps in the west.The funicular railway up this landmark mountain starts in Lugano-Paradiso.

Roger's Choice: City Experiences
You will be welcomed with a “Bonjour” as you enter the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. In Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland, you are just as likely to hear “Allegra”, a greeting in Romansch-speaking Switzerland, while the ferryman’s “Griezi” is a familiar sound on the Rhine in Basel.

Roger's Choice: Hiking Trails
This ridge hike through a varied landscape takes you along beautiful hiking trails from Kühboden to the Aletsch Forest. The views of the glacier and surrounding mountains are simply magnificent.

Roger's Choice: Refreshing Breaks​
Cool mountain lakes are perhaps the most refreshing thing Switzerland has to offer. Even the country’s larger rivers and lakes are suitable for bathing, however, and the Swiss can’t get enough of them. Swimming in the Rhine is a living tradition in Roger Federer’s hometown of Basel. As well as people taking a spontaneous dip, every year there is an organised event that sees up to 5,000 participants float gently down the Rhine.

If you want to marvel at Icelandic-style geysers, gondolas straight from Venice and many other wonders, all you need to do is come to Germany. Many of the attractions around the world have a twin – let's embark on a German voyage of discovery brimming with exotic surprises.

A romantic gondola ride
Bamberg, affectionately known as "Little Venice", attracts visitors with similar pleasures. Gondoliers wearing traditional striped shirts and straw hats row in genuine Venetian gondolas here, along the Regnitz river and past picturesque half-timbered fishermen's houses. They also sail past the Old Town Hall.

Lilac temptation
Lüneburg Heath around the Wilseder Berg hill and the village of Undeloh always transforms into a sea of purple blossoms when the buds of the bushes on the heath open up in late summer. You can also enjoy this lilac temptation on a horse-drawn carriage ride – an extra not on offer in France.

Blue wonder
Lake Eibsee, over in the Bavarian Alps, is a similarly luminous colour and is set against the backdrop of the mighty Wetterstein mountains. If you like whipping out your camera for amazing shots, you will find no shortage of enchanting images to capture here.

Baroque splendour
Herrenhausen Gardens in Hanover. Electress Sophia commissioned the gardens to be designed in the finest Baroque style in around 1700. She ensured the garden was adorned with bubbling and impressive fountains and shimmering marble statues. New life was breathed into the historical grotto not so long ago, when artist Niki de Saint Phalle transformed it into a colourful haven.

Jungle adventure
Brandenburg's Spreewald Forest, a good hour's drive from Berlin, paddling through an enchanted forest. Whether you want a multi-day tour or a quick lap for beginners, the network of waterways that date back to the Ice Age forms an idyllic backdrop in the romantic Spreewald Forest, with small garden restaurants, picturesque wooden bridges and locks that are still operated manually today

A SURPRISING CITY, AN EXTRAORDINARY TRAVEL GOAL!
Genoa is certainly the urban destination of wonders. An authentic city full of surprises, all to be experienced. Discovering the Superba is much more than a journey, it is an experience that leaves its mark and makes you dream! Genoa is the ideal destination for adventurous spirits, open air lovers, art and culture lovers. From the UNESCO heritage palaces to the largest medieval historic center in Europe, from the charm of breathtaking sea views to the greenery of enchanted parks and gardens, exploring the city could not be easier and more evocative.

Typical Cuisine

To celebrate the whole of Liguria, we must of course start with basil, pesto and focaccia, symbols of our region and justly known as the standard bearer of the local cuisine. Delicious in all its forms (plain, with onion, rosemary, cheese, etc.), focaccia is an ambassador of Genoese cuisine, so much so that for the “festa di San giorgio” (St George's Day), the cultural association 'Genova World' has created a special version, known as 'Focaccia di San Giorgio'.

Villa Durazzo Pallavicini

Home to the Museum of Ligurian Archaeology and to the Botanical Garden established in 1794, the romantic park of the villa, located in western Genoa, is one of Europe's most important historical gardens. It was built by the marquis Ignazio Alessandro Pallavicini who entrusted its design and complete construction to Michele Canzio, the set designer of the Teatro Carlo Felice opera house.

The park and the wall and forts

Genoa is a city of sea and mountains, it takes very little to find yourself far from the noise and hectic life of the city, where you can enjoy the pleasure of immersing yourself completely in nature: a landscape of trees, alpine scents and a breathtaking panorama. This is the Parco delle Mura, an area that owes its name to the “New” Walls, built in the seventeenth century to defend the city and its port basin. With its 12 km, it is the longest city wall in Europe.

The panorama form Castelletto

From here visitors can admire the rooftops made of slate, a traditional local material, as well as mediaeval towers and Baroque domes; in the distance, the sea comes alive with both modern ships and ancient memories
The high grounds form a backdrop dotted with parks, villas and sanctuaries and crowned with the city’s forts. Until 1849, the fortress of Castelletto stood in the place of this magnificent overlook, before being razed to the ground by public demand, as it was deemed a menace to the city below in the event of enemy occupation.

Vertical Genoa

Genoa has a harsh territory and it always had to face a public transport issue. Many passengers have to be trasported to the top of steep hills around the city. There are many cableways, such as lifts and funiculars, that move through buildings and streets. These structures are fundamental but they also are admired for their architectural richness. The Zecca – Righi funicolar, together with the Granarolo rack railway, are the most interesting structures that move passengers away from the city centre to reach the hills in a couple.

Ducal Palace

Palazzo Ducale is one f the historic symbols of the city of Genoa: since 1339 it became the residence of the Doge and today it is the main cultural centre of the city. All year long Palazzo Ducale offers exhibitions, conferences, meetings, festivals, shows and educational activities. The palace was built in 1298, during a fortunate period for the Republic of Genoa, after the victory in the Battle of Meloria against the Pisa and the victory in the Battle of Curzola fought against Venezia.

Source from: www.visitgenoa.it

If you’re a bit clueless when it comes to what to see and do in this small yet fascinating European country, here’s a few of our top picks for a memorable long weekend in Belgium:

If you’re in need of some pampering, make your way to Spa

Guess what? Spa is the original spa town! Clue’s in the name, right? So, where to make the most of your time and get the authentic experience? The Thermes de Spa is the place to go. You’ll find 800 square metres of complete serenity, including hot springs and saunas as well as tranquil treatment rooms where you can indulge in a massage or facial.

Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts

Belgium’s capital has enough things to see and do to keep you entertained for days, but if you’re short on time just make sure you check out the Grand Place (the city’s major square), the elegant Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts and the hip independent shops and cafés in Marolles.

If you can’t resist a gorgeous beach, check out Ostend

Belgium may not be the first place that pops into your head for a beach getaway – but did you know it’s actually home to one of the top 50 beaches in Europe? Located on Belgium’s North Sea coast, the resort city of Ostend is blessed with a huge sandy beach and various amazing attractions along its shores.

If the mountains are calling you, strap on some skis in the Ardennes

Fancy hitting the slopes? It’s the mountainous Ardennes region on the German and Luxembourg borders for you then. It’s home to a handful of brilliant ski resorts, making it a wonderful option for a wintery long weekend in Belgium! Val de Wanne and Le Monty are popular picks for a snowy getaway, with the former being home to one of the longest ski slopes in Europe.

Explore Belgium by car and book your rental car with us at Europcar.