Geneva

Rest on the crystal shores of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), between the foothills of the Jura Mountains and the snowy gateway to the Alps during one of our short breaks to Geneva, and you'll easily understand why so many artists and liberal thinkers chose Geneva as their favoured alpine retreat.

Rousseau, Voltaire, Liszt, Piaget, Byron and Shelly all took inspiration from the city once famed as the birthplace of Calvinism and dubbed the 'Protestant Rome'.

Today Switzerland's third-largest city is one of the most cosmopolitan in Europe with one third of the population drawn from 157 different countries. It's also the heart of the French speaking territory, marrying the chicest elements of Gallic culture with all the efficiency of a Swiss watch.

Short breaks to Geneva reveal the city's global reputation as a peace-broker - a fact that can be traced back to the philanthropist Henry Dunant, who established the world's first humanitarian organisation-the International Red Cross-in 1859 (now celebrated by a museum).

Since then, it's become home to more than 250 international organisations including the World Health Organisation and the European HQ of the United Nations (which can be visited as long as you have your passport, during city breaks to Geneva).

Geneva's Old Town, nestles on the left bank of the Rhône. Guarded by the impressive Roman-Gothic St Peter's Cathedral, there is an atmospheric warren of winding streets, bistros and pavement cafes that's easily discovered on short breaks to Geneva.

The city's gastronomic hand cannot be underplayed-with such a geographically diverse clientele, and more than 1100 restaurants, there's something to suit even the most fickle epicurean. After a grand fondue feast, you can walk it off and feed your mind at the same time, by strolling around one of the 30 museums to choose from.

But really, it's just a matter of time until you are drawn to the great Swiss outdoors. Lake Geneva offers ample opportunity for swimming, sailing and hiking, or just spectating-the lake boasts the world's tallest water jet (Jet d'Eau) that sends seven tonnes of water 140m into the air at 200kmh.