Go to GVA. Take Easyjet to Olbia, and drive a short ride to Cala Brandinchi, near San Teodoro (http://www.sardinianbeaches.com/beaches-of-sardinia/north-east/san-teodoro/cala-brandinchi-beach/). You won't be disappointed. It's going to take you few hours of traveling, but not more than you would need to drive to the nearer spots on Liguria's coast. Plus, in Sardinia the sea is way better and the beach is made of white sand (as opposed to small stones, like in Liguria).

Diego, looks awesome!

You got me.

thx

Thanks, Diego. Great tip about Cala Brandinchi. Looks great. Though whoever wrote the content of the page where the link takes you, must have fallen asleep during geography classes in school:

"Being one of the most beautiful and famous beaches of Sardinia, it is known as ‘Little Tahiti’, because of the Caribbean-style colors of its waters."

Ayse, Diego is right that the beaches in the Italian Riviera tend to be pebbly, even if some of the seaside towns are picturesque. Alassio, in Savona, is about the closest which has the closest thing to a sandy beach. It is about 500 kms from Montreux, unless you take the E62 and go through the mountain pass, which will slow you down. At least a 5 hour drive.

Mrb Ayse! I suggest you Cinqueterre (in Spezia), an authentic village ön the seaside. It is one my favorite places. Sardinia is also very nice but it is distant, it is not convenient for a w-end unless you take the flight. If you go by car Cinqueterre and other towns around is the best destination for a long w-end. Enjoy, 

Haluk 

Thanks guys! you gave me some food for thought over the weekend..

anyway the flight to south of italy are cheaps - Geneva-Zurich-Calabria (Lamezia Terme) for exemple in 4 hours.