Romance is the lifeblood of Annecy, a town in the Rhone-Alpes region of southeast France that’s replete with castles and cathedrals and softly curving architecture. Stroll hand in hand with your paramour across Pont des Amours (the lover’s bridge) before taking in the Imperial Palace and the baroque Cathedral of Saint-Pierre. A walk down the Rue Royale will be rewarded with prime shopping, dining and people-watching, especially at the fountain of Saint Jean.

Lausanne was once an intellectual capital, attracting great thinkers such as Rousseau and Voltaire. Today it is a haven for those who love water skiing, swimming and sailing. The International Olympic Committee is even headquartered here. The town's history is evident, though, in its medieval cathedral, the museums of the Palais de Rumine, and Ouchy, the port where Lord Byron wrote "The Prisoner of Chillon" and the Treaty of Lausanne was ratified. For great views, hike up to the Signal de Sauvabelin.

As host of the first Winter Olympics in 1924, Chamonix will always have a place in the history books. Its main attractions are Mont-Blanc (Western Europe's tallest mountain) and the many ski areas that face the Chamonix Valley. Steep slopes and extreme weather conditions suit advanced skiers best, but there are also runs for beginners. Just make sure everyone in your party knows a green circle from a black diamond. Oh, and another note for the history books—Pierce Brosnan was here (filming a James Bond movie, The World Is Not Enough).

Set on a sunny plateau, Verbier provides a unique panoramic outlook, with views over the Combins range, Mont Blanc, even the Matterhorn from the summit of Mont Fort. An exceptional ski area makes Valais’ most cosmopolitan resort an almost limitless playground, equally suited to professional athletes and beginners alike. Year-round, mountain-lovers revel in a wide variety of activities including hiking, biking, paragliding, heli-skiing, sledding, golf, movies and so much more.

Mountain railways and roadways provide access to jet set–popular Gstaad in the southwest region of the Swiss Alps. Three ski areas, heli-skiing, 10 winter sports schools and more than 30 miles of cross-country skiing trails are within reach of this traffic-free resort town, which is also known for its fine dining. A promenade lined with luxury boutiques runs through the town center. Activities are also plentiful in summer, like tennis, golf, hiking and mountaineering.

In the center of the French Alps, Courchevel has well more than 100 ski runs for visitors to choose from. Some courses are dotted with moguls, so snowboarding and snowmobiling are popular here, and skiers of all levels of experience will find a slope that's just right.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lyon has 2,000 years of history imprinted on its streets (yes, the cobblestone kind). Explore this history in Vieux Lyon (one of Europe's most extensive Renaissance neighborhoods) and Lyon's two Roman amphitheatres, which still stage rock concerts today. It's no wonder Lyon is a popular area for travelers, with its dynamic university, first-class shopping, antique markets, vibrant theatre and music festivals, and a range of interesting museums, such as the International Puppet Museum and the Museum of Miniatures and Film Sets. (When we say "interesting," we mean it.)

Ringed by ski resorts and forested parks, there’s a sport for every season in Grenoble, the self-proclaimed Capital of the Alps. Culture seekers will find plenty to explore in the university town’s urban center, where art galleries and museums hug the banks of the Isère River.