Things to do in  Geneva

Geneva—nicknamed the Peace Capital—is home of the Geneva Conventions, Red Cross, and European branch of the U.N. It's an important world financial center. You'll find the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Geneva's Old Town is Switzerland's largest historical site and its lake its largest body of water.

Start early to beat the crowds, stopping at must-see landmarks such as the Palace of Nations, Jet d'Eau, and St. Peter's Cathedral in Old Town. Eat a fondue lunch on the lakefront and get your fill of Swiss chocolate; then widen your perspective on an afternoon lake cruise or mountain adventure.

French is the main language of Geneva, though English, Spanish, Italian, and German are also widely spoken, thanks to the city's status as an international hub. Swiss French is very similar to standard French, though some words are different—such as septante for 70, instead of soixante-dix.

Upscale bars and high-end clubs make up most of the afterdark scene in Geneva, catering to financial workers and multinational crowds, though there are some Celtic-style pubs and hipster haunts. If you're after a tamer excursion, try a Lake Geneva sunset cruise followed by dinner at a top restaurant.

The Palace of Nations is a special sight in Geneva—a monument to peace at the heart of Ariana Park. Other unique attractions include Geneva's Red Cross Museum, which covers the Geneva Convention and global humanitarianism, as well as CERN headquarters, where you can get a close-up glimpse of cutting-edge science.

Yes. Geneva is expensive. The city regularly ranks as among the most expensive in the world. But, with a little planning, it is possible to optimize both time and budget. Package deals like the city pass offer discounted access to museums and unlimited rides on the country's travel system.