1. Oslo

Why visit?

Norwegians enjoy the great outdoors and they never stop thinking up creative new ways to tempt visitors and residents alike into embracing active, clean-living lifestyles. Get to Norway's compact capital (just 400,000 residents) before the harsh winter and minus temperatures set in.

The tourist trail

A great way to see the city is via a fjord cruise through part of the 100km Oslo Fjord. Sample Norway's natural beauty without leaving the city limits but be sure to alight for the impressive Viking Ship Museum. Oslo is a city of high culture, home to Munch and Ibsen. Most visitors to the National Gallery head straight to room 24 to see Edvard Munch's 'The Scream' – hardcore fans should also go across town to the museum dedicated to the artist. It's impossible to miss the Oslo Opera House in the middle of the city, made from gleaming white marble. Walk up the steep ramp of the futuristic structure for views over the city, its hills and fjords. The Nobel Peace Centre is a must for a fascinating exploration of the award and its past winners.

The cool neighbourhood

Until the 1970s, Oslo's bourgeoisie barely gave the working-class neighbourhood of Grunerlokka a second thought. Today, it is described as Oslo's Notting Hill. Trendy eateries, independent fashion designers and vibrant bars line Thorwald Meyer Street and there's a thriving art scene, too. An influx of slick apartments housed in sympathetically restored factories and breweries have made this one of the city's most desirable districts to live in.

The hip hangout

Kolonihagen is a must for a caffeine fix. Norwegians are among the biggest coffee drinkers in the world and Oslo has taken café culture to its heart. One favourite spot is this rustic coffee house in a small courtyard, which serves organic pastries and is renowned for its carrot cake.

The place to stay

The Rica G20's 96 minimalist rooms are a little small but don't skimp on luxurious touches. Each is equipped with iPod dock, flatscreen TV and extra thick comfy mattresses. Be sure to hire one of the hotel's electric bicycles – perfect for exploring the city's hilly suburbs.

Insider's secret

Tobias Gustafsson, chef: "For a fantastic shopping experience, head to House of Oslo. It specialises in interior furnishings and has the most amazing kitchen utensils, porcelain, and striking designer fixtures – something's bound to catch your eye. The pieces are very Scandinavian."

2. Geneva

Why visit?

This Alpine city has become the premier gateway to France and Switzerland's pistes, But don't just fly in and whizz straight off to the slopes, because Geneva itself is worth a look.

The tourist trail

See the Jet d'Eau, the famous fountain on Lake Geneva, one of the largest in the world, which thrusts more than 500 litres of water into the air per second. Admire it at night, when it is dramatically floodlit. For a fantastic view over Geneva climb to the top of St Peter's Cathedral, a romanesque-gothic church with a neo-classical façade, where the reformer John Calvin preached in the 16th century. Go below to discover Roman remains from the fourth century. Take a tour of the United Nations' European headquarters in Ariana Park to see the vast Council Chamber with its colossal bronze doors and murals by Catalan artist Jose Maria Sert.

The cool neighbourhood

Once home to the watchmaking industry, the factories and warehouses of Plainpalais have been put to use today as trendy residences and retail outlets. The campus of the University of Geneva sits at the heart of the area and the surrounding streets are stacked with lively cafés, bars and clubs. A fleamarket takes place on the Plaine de Plainpalais on Saturday mornings, with stalls bearing a variety of wares, from valuable antiques to bric-a-brac.

The hip hangout

Les Enfants Terribles houses a design emporium, a café-bar and concert space. It specialises in making one-off household design objects and items such as lighting, vases, tables and chairs from pieces of industrial salvage. At the heart of the space is the café bar, serving up homemade gourmet soups, salads and tarts along with coffee, juices and wine.

The place to stay

In a city awash with five-star properties and sky-high room rates, La Cour des Augustins fills the gap for mid-priced stylish accommodation. Set across two buildings, behind an original 19th-century façade, the design is funky minimalist with big furniture and bold splashes of colour. The property has a large collection of contemporary art, which can be purchased along with interior design objects at the hotel's sizeable boutique.

Insider's secret

Vishnen Malsan, sommelier: "Geneva has everything a big city has to offer without the hassle of living in a big city. After work, I love going to Café Marius, a wine bar housed in a former butcher's shop. The owner has kept all the original art deco features such as the tiles and furniture."

3. Munich

Why visit?

Oktoberfest draws thousands to the Bavarian capital every autumn, but when the beer-swigging hordes stagger home, there remains a city of history, culture, and an ever-increasing hipster quotient. Best of all, you can enjoy the new clubs, eateries and museums without the manic crowds.

The tourist trail

Stroll through the Englischer Garten, one of the world's largest city-centre parks. Make sure you drop into the Bürgersaalkirche, where the body of Jesuit priest Rupert Mayer is buried: he spoke out against the Nazi regime for years, before finally being sent to a concentration camp. Visit the Haus der Kunst, created by the Third Reich to showcase Germany's "finest art", which now displays the work of modern artists (much despised by Hitler) and travelling collections from political dissidents. Spend some time watching the locals surf on the Isar river – even in the depths of winter.

The cool neighbourhood

Just 10 minutes' walk south of the central Marienplatz you'll find Gartnerplatz, Munich's hottest neighbourhood. Delis, boutiques, cafés and clubs have sprung up on its numerous small streets. Try the new Tushita Teehaus, a tiny café with just 12 cosy seats that are always loaded with colourful locals making their way through the menu of 100 varieties of tea and organic vegan cakes.

The hip hangout

If you can't resist the call of a frothy beer, head for Augustiner am Platzl, the perfect place to sip with the lederhosen-clad locals (yes, really) and enjoy a dish of weisswurst, traditional white boiled sausages.

The place to stay

Nothing says 'hip city' like the arrival of a design hotel, and the Louis Hotel does not disappoint. Set in the heart of Marienplatz, this 100-year-old building has been transformed into a warm, chic space. Rooms are filled with rustic woods and natural fabrics and feature quirky touches like wardrobes designed as suitcases. It isn't just a hit with visitors – restaurant Emiko, serving modern Japanese cuisine, is filled every night with Munich's fashionable and fabulous, all sipping sake.

Insider's secret

Michael Borio, tour guide: "For something extremely modern, head for the new BMW Museum. The architecture is amazing, and looking at the technology is like seeing into the future."