Geneva sits at the southern tip of Lake Geneva (Lac Leman), where the Rhone river spills out of the lake and the Alps loom on a clear day. It has worn many hats: a Roman outpost, the cradle of John Calvin's Reformation, the birthplace of the Red Cross, and today the European seat of the United Nations. For a city of barely 200,000 people, it punches far above its weight diplomatically and culturally.

The pleasures here are gentle and very walkable, which suits a relaxing trip: a morning espresso by the water, a slow climb into the medieval Old Town, an afternoon of free parks and lakeside benches, and the hypnotic plume of the Jet d'Eau shooting 140 meters into the sky. Geneva is famously expensive, but it rewards the careful traveler: many of its best experiences (the lakefront, the parks, the Reformation Wall, window-shopping the chocolatiers) cost nothing, and most hotels hand you a free Geneva Transport Card that covers trams, buses, and even the little yellow water taxis.

Getting around is easy and largely flat near the lake; the tram and bus network is excellent and the city center is compact enough to cover on foot. French is the local language, though English is widely spoken. Late spring through early autumn is the sweet spot for weather, with long daylight and lake swimming in summer; pack a light layer, as evenings by the water cool off even in June.