Geneva is an important city of international diplomacy, as it is the European headquarters for the United Nations as well as the headquarters for the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the International Red Cross.

Geneva is also likely the most cosmopolitan city in the world – more than 40% of the city’s population is from elsewhere – but it is still, strangely, viewed by many as serene, orderly, and dull. But Geneva’s natural beauty is anything but dull. A trip to Téléphérique du Salève, an alpine ridge just over the French border, would more than convince you. There, the view of Geneva is breathtaking and you will no doubt notice the city’s prime location. Geneva, after all, is located in the southwest corner of Lake Geneva in the Rhone Valley and is sandwiched between the Alps peaks and Jura ridges and within view of Mont Blanc. It is an excellent base for trips to the Swiss and French Alps. Geneva is also stocked with parks and promenades that are perfect for summer strolls.

Unfortunately, although naturally beautiful, Geneva also has the reputation for being an expensive city – some say it is probably the most expensive city in Switzerland. There are numerous high-end restaurants and hotels. If money is not an issue, Geneva is definitely a place to sample the best. Surprisingly, there are also a number of top-notch museums crammed into a small city like Geneva. Each year the city spends close to 20% of its budget on its cultural department. Notable museums in Geneva include the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, which houses an impressive collection of East Asian art. The International Museum of the Reformation commemorates and educates visitors about the spiritual and cultural elements of the Protestant Reformation. The Musée ARIANA is also notable in that it exhibits a collection of over 16,000 ceramics from around Europe and Asia.

There are a few landmarks in Geneva, including the Jet d’Eau, the Palais des Nations, the Reformation Wall, and the Saint-Pierre Cathedral. The Jet d’Eau is a visible water-jet fountain situated in Lake Geneva with a 140-metre high water column. The Palais des Nations is the originally built home of the League of Nations. The Reformation Wall is a monument honoring the key figures of the Protestant Reformation and is built into the old city walls of Geneva. The Saint-Pierre Cathedral is a cultural and spiritual landmark – the church where John Calvin, one of the leaders of the Reformation, used to teach.