Zurich. Switzerland

Culturally diverse and beautifully seated at the meeting of river and lake, Zurich is consistently considered one of the planet's most liveable cities. Long known as a chic, hard-working financial hub, Switzerland's largest city has also become one of Europe's most trendy destinations, with an artsy, industrial-grit edge that's shown in its summer Street Parade.

Much of the historic center, with its meandering lanes and lofty church steeples, has been kept intact. Yet Zurich has also accepted contemporary trends, with the conversion of old factories into cultural centrers and hip living spaces- this is especially clear in Zuri-West, the nightlife area.