Say 'Geneva' to a person and what will come up first? An inhabitant of the city itself will probably say that it is 'a continent on its own'. Say it to a foreigner and he or she will probably refer to the building of the United Nations located in Geneva. After the foundation of the Red Cross in 1864, Geneva became the home of many international organizations. The European head-office is located here still, together with departments of organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Particle Physics (CERN).

Geneva is divided in two parts by the Rhone river that flows out of the lac Leman (lake Geneva). The old city is located on the southern shore (rive gauche or left bank), the train station north of the river, and the airport north-west of the city,straddling the French border, but only a short bus ride away. Most sights are within easy walking distance and the public transport system (with busses and trams) is very reliable.

This 'smallest of the large capitals', as it is called, offers nearly everthing, ranging from extensive banking and shopping areas to rich artistic and cultural input. Geneva is packed with museums and, to a lesser extent, historical sights. When you have had it for the day, go to one of the many parks, largely created by the financial imput of many wealthy citizens. Most of the time during the summer, you can watch a free concert in one of the theatres or simply prepare yourself for the nightlife in Geneva.

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