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Why?  Health, wealth and happiness are the benefits to be accrued from a holiday in Geneva, the chic, graceful Swiss city where the International Red Cross was born. Travel to Geneva to 'see how the other half live', as luxury cars cruise the streets and magnificent yachts bob on the lakeside. With its pristine air, beautiful setting and sophisticated shopping, Geneva seems to not have a care in the world.

When?  The best weather for a holiday in Geneva is experienced during the height of summer, July and August, but this is also the time when the city attracts thousands of tourists. Spring and autumn are less crowded and a pleasant time to travel to Geneva, although rain can be expected all year round. During late winter many travel to Geneva to access nearby ski resorts, and in December the city sees many tourists for the annual l'Escalade Festival.

Who for?  Anyone who is enamoured with Swiss precision and efficiency, not to mention scenery, will enjoy a holiday in Geneva. It is also a popular destination for culture vultures with a full arts calendar and several museums and galleries.

More Info:  All the information required to enjoy a wonderful Geneva holiday is listed in our Geneva travel guide, which is up-to-date and features details of all the events, attractions and excursions to be enjoyed in this lovely city.

Overview

With a pleasant setting, green parks, colourful gardens and lakeside promenades, Geneva is considered one of the healthiest places to live in the world. The city sits astride the River Rhône, where it streams into Lake Geneva, and is set against a dramatic backdrop of mountains. At the lake's south shore the Jet d'Eau shoots water 460ft (140m) into the sky from the end of a pier - the city's landmark attraction and Europe's most powerful fountain.

Undoubtedly Switzerland's most cosmopolitan city, Geneva's reputation for religious and political tolerance dates back more than five hundred years. In the 16th century the city spawned the religious teachings of John Calvin, and was where Lenin spent his 'years of recreation'. Little of their Puritanism is left today - stately homes line the banks of the lake, overlooking an armada of luxury yachts. Jewels and designer labels spill out of exclusive boutiques and into chauffer-driven limousines that slide down palatial avenues.

As well as a host of museums and fine galleries, Geneva has a lively cultural calendar. Most notable is the celebration of l'Escalade in December, which involves costumed and torch-lit processions through the town, and the consumption of sickly amounts of chocolate and marzipan.

Geneva is a gateway to Switzerland's luxury ski resorts, an important banking centre and home to thousands of international delegates and diplomats. Among the many international organisations based in the city are the United Nations and the International Red Cross.