Home to over 200 international organisations, Geneva is truly an international city with a distinctly diplomatic air to it. It's hardly the place to paint the town red, but is notably pristine, efficient and safe, even if it is a little sterile.

The city enjoys a fine location at the south end of Lake Geneva (Lake Leman to the French speaking locals) where the Rhone river begins. The old town is a collection of cobbled lanes situated on a small distinctive hill, not far from the river. The centre of town is dominated by the partially Romanesque, partially Gothic Cathedral St Pierre, one time home to John Calvin. The nearby Place du Bourg-de-Four is the oldest square in Geneva and was once a Roman forum, evolved into a medieval marketplace, and is now destined for a future as the loci of touristy shops.

Fortunately, there's plenty of culture to combat the kitsch. The Museum of Art and History has a vast and varied collection including paintings, sculpture, weapons and archaeology. The compact Petit Palais has an excellent and focused collection of modern art. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum offers a vivid multimedia trawl through atrocities perpetuated by humanity in recent history. Other museums include the catchy Museum of Old Musical Instruments, the Horology Museum and the Voltaire Museum.

Unfortunately the presence of so many international bigwigs means Geneva isn't cheap. But one of the best free activities is a stroll along the pleasant lakeshoreline. It is dotted with parks and swimming areas, with good views of the imaginatively named Jet d'Eau (Jet of Water), firing from the end of the pier on the south shore the Lake. The water shoots up at 200kph to create a 140m spout- the world's tallest. At any one time, seven tonnes of water hangs in the air, and much of it, depending on the whims of the breeze, falls on spectators and the politicians of tomorrow smoking grass out on the pier.

At the other end of the lake, Chillon Castle receives more visitors than any other historical building in Switzerland thanks to its stunning position right on the Lake Geneva. The castle, still in excellent condition, dates from the 11th century and has been much modified and enlarged since then. It's worth spending an afternoon viewing the tower, courtyards, dungeons and numerous rooms. The castle is located within walking distance of Montreux, the centrepiece of the Swiss Riviera and famous for its annual jazz festival.



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