Switzerland's second city and main French-speaking metropolis, this proud "Protestant Rome" was once John Calvin's capital, but is now famous as the eminently livable "Capital of Peace." A cosmopolitan center of global diplomacy from the Red Cross to much of the UN, Geneva is the scenic spot where the Rhone leaves Lake Geneva. The watchmaker's Mecca, Geneva offers impressive shopping and fine dining, but one of the best activities is free: walking through the Old Town and by the lake. Most of the city is reminiscent of France (which nearly surrounds it) although the more bohemian Carouge district draws plenty of locals thanks to its Mediterranean atmosphere. An hour's drive away, Mont Blanc (the Alps' highest peak) is easy to spot. CERN's Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest machine, is harder to find as it's entirely underground, but the massive sphere of the visitor's center is much easier to pick out. Another sight that's hard to miss is the 40-foot "Broken Chair," a symbol of the ongoing fight against land mines and cluster bombs, which sits across from the UN's Palace of Nations.
The lakeside "Peace Capital" at the center of world diplomacy
Getting around town is easy, as all hotel guests receive free public transit passes, but getting out is also simple, and there are winning possibilities in all directions. Further north, by Lake Geneva are the beautiful UNESCO-listed Lavaux wine terraces, which can be visited via a small train. Elsewhere on the lake you can find Montreaux (home to the world's second-largest jazz festival) and the charming Chillon Castle. Mont Saleve offers panoramic views of the city (as does its restaurant). For more epic views, head to Chamonix, home to the first Winter Olympics. Riding the rails there offers memorable scenery, and you can ride a cable car to an ice cave once you arrive. If you're not faint of heart, ride a cable car up Mont Blanc, for spectacular views. Across the French border to the south is the town of Annecy, on the beautiful lake of the same name. For a larger lakeside town, visit Lausanne, home to the International Olympic Committee, and dozens of other international sports associations.
