The world as we know it is about to end. Immediately after we enter 2010, physicists at Switzerland’s CERN facility will use the Large Hadron Collider, a particle accelerator with awesome power, to smash protons at record energies in a bid to re-create conditions that existed right after the Big Bang. 

If it works, tiny black holes will be created, and we’ll know a lot more about the origins of the Universe. If it works too well, then the black holes will do what they’re born to do – start gobbling stuff.

Wooden Globe at CERN

They’ll start with CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research where the 16.8 mile collider tunnel is buried 100m under the Franco-Swiss border.

Once the black holes are done with CERN, they’ll go after Geneva, then Switzerland, France, and the whole of Europe. After washing down the heavy meal with the Atlantic, the black holes will start licking at the Eastern Seaboard and the Statue of Liberty for dessert.

You might want to say your goodbyes, do all the things you never did, etc. Or… you could take the fight to the monster, and take a vacation in Geneva, visit CERN and tell the cretins there what you really think about their Big Bang machine.  

For the record, CERN does offer tours for visitors, and they host over 25,000 visitors every year. Explore the mysteries of the universe and find out about the gigantic equipment used by physicists at CERN – particle accelerators and detectors. Don’t miss the large wooden globe.

For science geeks, end-of-the-world theorists and sundry fruitcakes visiting Geneva, this is a must visit attraction.

Photo by horstjens; More info here – www.cern.ch/outreach/ 

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Lake Como, Switzerland

I was 16 years old when I visited Lake Como, Switzerland.

That was over *cough, cough* a lot of years ago, but it’s a place that instantly carved itself into my heart and I vowed before leaving to return someday.  I have traveled to many places since then, and Lake Como remains one of my favorite locations on Earth.

Lake Como is located between Milan and Switzerland and my visit there was a short day trip in the middle of an Italian vacation.  We made our way to the town of Como from Milan and spent time shopping in the village before touring the lake itself. Read More »

This is a destination you probably have not thought of – yet. Well its time to change that.

If you are visiting Europe, or live there, it is a short flight to this island in the Mediterranean. Kayt Sukel, based in Germany, explains that the island has a remarkable history. Its temples pre-date the Egyptian pyramids. The island has great hotel options – but you could consider B&Bs or even renting a villa. The food is rich in choices – after all, the island has a great location in terms of regional influences. Getting around is easy by bus and there are great beaches and diving. Take a look at the island’s tourism information here.

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