Zurich

Zurich is a fairy-tale city built on the banks of a river and a lake, with the snow-capped Swiss Alps rising in the background. Clean cobblestone streets embrace the mountainous terrain, and old church spires soar into the sky. Despite its image as a center of old-school international banking and capital for world-class chocolate confections, Zurich is nevertheless a highly contemporary city that likes to take its time in life. Travelers looking for a genuine experience should do the same.

Dadaists gathered in Zurich's Cabaret Voltaire to either change or damage art, depending on your point of view. But you should come for the chocolate, grilled sausages, locally grown wines, incredible museums, medieval architecture, lavish shopping, magnificent landscapes, and Lake Zurich's pristine, clear water. You may spend one to three days in Zurich before heading to the nearby ski slopes or continuing on to Geneva.