Sherman's Travel

The landmark, luxury Hotel de la Paix in Geneva – with a position perfectly poised for easy winter-fun day trips to some of Switzerland’s storied slopes (the snowcapped Mont Blanc stands majestically on the horizon) – is offering one pretty sweet suite deal that Smart Luxury readers won’t want to miss. Travelers who book a stay in one of the hotel’s elegantly appointed suites for travel through March will not only save 50 percent off of suite rates (that works out to suite-stay rates for less than standard-room rates!), but they’ll also get breakfast included daily (up to a $46 value per person), as well as a $40 hotel voucher per day, redeemable at the hotel’s renowned Vertig’O restaurant or Nobel Bar. Read more

When booking hotels in popular European cities, it’s easy to spend far too many euros. While some destinations (oh how we love thee, Florence!) are famous for their cheap pensions in centuries-old buildings and former monasteries, many cities are quite expensive (Zurich anyone?). It can be really difficult to find a cheapo night’s sleep.

But never fear, there are a few practical steps that budget travelers can take to lower their costs. Here are four things you can do now to find a hotel deal even in Europe’s priciest cities:

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Most of the world may still lack the infrastructure necessary to make electric cars a viable option for everyday use, but you can test drive the cars of the future during your next hotel stay. Satisfy your need for speed at La Réserve Genève with one of five Tesla Roadsters. These eco-vehicles may lack the “vroom vroom” of a traditional sports car (the electric nature makes them totally silent) but they still go from zero to 60 in 3.7 seconds, making them the world’s fastest electric sports cars. Guests can rent a Roadster by the day for about $984 or book a two-night Tesla Break package for about $2,294. www.lareserve.ch

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A little more than one year after its maiden voyage, the Solar Impulse has successfully crossed international borders, reports Reuters.

The exclusively solar-powered plane flew its first international route from Western Switzerland to Brussels on Friday, marking another milestone in the search for pollution-free air travel. The aircraft, which uses 12,000 solar panels to generate power, has taken off five times since its inaugural flight in April 2010, including one 26-hour journey in July.

The project, which began in 2003, is easily one of the most ambitious of its kind. This year, the team plans to release a plane capable of flying across the Atlantic; as early as 2013, a solar-powered machine could make a trip around the world.

Even so, don’t expect sunbeam-powered planes to taxi at your local airport anytime soon: Traveling at 44 miles per hour, the Solar Impluse’s flight from Western Switzerland to Brussels took more than half a day; a fossil fuel-fed jet speeds up to 440 miles per hour and soars from Geneva to Brussels in less than one hour.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

Got a great shot of yourself hiking, biking, skiing, climbing? It could earn you a free trip to Geneva, Switzerland, as a VIP guest of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc race from Aug. 24-29.

The contest is called “Grip Your World,” and it’s sponsored by a company called Vibram. These are the folks behind the Vibram FiveFingers, those bizarre, paw-looking running “shoes” – though they’re more accurately described as “footwear” – that have gained a cult following among some runners for their comfortable feel and ability to provide a more natural feel, and, some say, reduce injuries.

But you don’t have to own a pair of FiveFingers – or even have heard of them – to enter the contest. Just head to www.gripyourworld.com and post a photo of you “gripping your world,” as a spokesperson for the company says – in other words, hiking, running, skiing, mountain climbing (again, no Vibram products necessary) – and a short caption about yourself and/or your activity. Read more

Perfectly situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, in the shadows of snowcapped Mont Blanc, the landmark five-star Hotel de la Paix offers glamorous accommodations. Just steps away from Old Town sites like the colossal Romanesque St. Peter’s Cathedral, this recently-renovated property makes an excellent base for exploring the historic attractions of old-world Geneva. Elegantly appointed suites offer lake or garden views, with summer rates from only $378/night. Plus, enjoy seasonal discounts of 10 percent off 2-night stays or 15 percent off stays of three nights or longer.