Embedded between nearby Alpine peaks and the hilly terrain of the Jura, the French-speaking city of Geneva lies in the bay where the Rhone leaves the lake. Geneva, a “Protestant Rome“ in the sixteenth century, is now home to dozens of international organisations. Two of them are the United Nations’ European headquarters and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The city offers a quaint old town of understated charm, with attractions like the famous Flower Clock and the Cathedral of St. Peter. Heading across the Rhone River to Place St-Gervais, it is the place for a taste of the industry of old jewellery and watch-making, where any number of gorgeous parks and promenades can be found. Although being one of the biggest cities in the country, it is actually compact and therefore for the most part easy to explore on foot. In fact, walking in the centre is actually not just convenient, but is also very nice.

Culturally, this city on the westernmost fringe of Switzerland has much to offer. International artists perform in the Grand Théâtre and Geneva Opera House, and an extremely diverse range of museums such as the “Musée international de l'horlogerie”, a watch museum with a collection of jewellery watches and musical clocks, and the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which provides an insight into the work of these humanitarian organisations, invite city guests to visit them.

Making a pause from urban pleasures and venturing out into the mountainous local countryside is worthwhile. There are just as many options as there are peaks visible on the city's skyline, and the single most alluring is the Mont-Blanc, the tallest peak in Europe.