Chemnitz to Geneva train

Named for the river running through the town, Chemnitz is a cultural center in Saxony, close to Germany's border with Czechia. The city was known as Karl-Marx-Stadt before German reunification, and an enormous bronze sculpture of Karl Marx's head reminds visitors of this legacy. Other notable structures in town include the Red Tower, a remnant of the city's 12-century walls, and the striking Altes Rathaus, or Old Town Hall. These two buildings are located close to the city center, with many enticing restaurants and unique shops in between.

You can find even more of Chemnitz's unique architecture in the Kassberg neighborhood, a residential area of 18th-century and 19th-century Art Nouveau buildings. For something a bit more special, check out trunks of petrified wood from Chemnitz petrified forest on display at the Museum of Natural History.

Dresden has the closest passenger airport to Chemnitz, but it is nearly an hour away. So, ground travel is often much more convenient to travel into Chemnitz. Check out cheap bus tickets on local carriers like FlixBus, or experience Germany's reliable rail network on a Deutsche Bahn train trip.

On the banks of Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps, discover the polished and cosmopolitan city of Geneva. As the headquarters of many of the world's biggest organizations, including the World Health Organization and World Trade Organization, Geneva can look a little businesslike on the exterior. Still, once you scratch the surface, you'll find there's a lot more to this city than it seems.

Start in the Old Town, often regarded as the most scenic part of the city. The Old Town encompasses the area around the Cathedrale Saint-Pierre, and it's filled with many local boutiques and cafes. Then, to see just how old Geneva is, visit the archaeological remains of a 4th-century basilica beneath the cathedral. Next, walk along the Rue du Rhone or the Rue du Marche to see the expensive side of Geneva, home to many high-end shops and watchmakers; just remember, the price tags are not for the faint of heart!

As Lake Geneva is one of the largest bodies of water in Western Europe, it has naturally attracted the attention of watersports enthusiasts. Water skiing and sailing are some of the more popular activities, but you can also swim in the crystal clear waters of the lake. If traditional skiing is more your style, take a bus across the French border to Chamonix, where you can take a cable car up Mont-Blanc.

Bus service connects Geneva to more than the Alps, though. Carriers like FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus offer routes to Geneva from cities like Paris and Milan. Plus, Geneva is well-connected by its large international airport and train station, so you really have no reason to skip a visit to this gem.