Why Woodrow Wilson’s Name Is All Over Geneva
On a trip to Geneva you can stay at the swanky five-star President Wilson Hotel, take a wander along Quai Wilson or check out the Palais Wilson, the headquarters of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. If you’re wondering why there is so much love for the 28th president of the United States in Geneva, we’ve got the answer.
It all goes back to 1919, when in the aftermath of World War I, world leaders were looking for a way to ensure the tragic events were never repeated. Woodrow Wilson, himself an ideologue, put forward an idea centred around an inter-governmental body that would be a place for discussion and debate that could see off problems in a peaceful way and avoid ore bloodshed. He articulated his thoughts as part of his Fourteen Points to achieve peace in Europe and called for a ‘general association of nations’ to be formed. This idea was the foundation stone for the League of Nations, which itself was a forerunner of the United Nations.
Despite Wilson’s instrumental role in founding the League of Nations, for which he received a Nobel Peace Prize, the United States was never an official member.
So today, President Wilson’s name lives on at the President Wilson Hotel, which happens to have one of the most expensive hotel suites in the world (with its 12-bedroom penthouse suite going for a mere $80,000 per night). For a more economical Wilson experience, you can also walk along Quai Wilson which abuts Lac Léman and is a hive of activity come summer time. Unlike the Palais des Nations, the home of the United Nations in Geneva, it is not possible to visit the Palais Wilson.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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