Hotspot of the week: GenevaMONOSOLEIIIL/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Take part in a one-of-a kind lolly scramble during Geneva's largest festival. Smashing open giant chocolate cauldrons filled with marzipan vegetables and other sweet treats is just one of the highlights of the Swiss city's Escalade festival in mid-December. Mum-of-14 La Mere Royaume is the undisputed heroine of the festival: legend has it she threw her scalding soup out the window and onto the soldiers' heads, the ensuing commotion rousing the sleeping citizens. Chocolate cauldrons weighing up to several kilos are sold in stores citywide from November and, this being Switzerland, you can expect they will be top quality. Most events take place in the picture perfect old town of the lakefront city and are free.

Source: Stuff December 15, 2017 16:02 UTC