Geneva

Geneva is Switzerland's second-largest city, but surely the most international: a third of the population is from elsewhere. The city is crowded with museums, has many excellent cultural events, even more good restaurants, and is ideally placed for quick hops to the Swiss and French Alps.

Geneva is a great place to get stuck on a rainy day; it's packed with museums, many with a horological bent. Outside, the towering Jet d'Eau and the pleasant gardens tempt feet in the direction of the lake. There's also plenty of classic Swiss kitsch to combat the high-brow culture.