The Costa Dorada is one of the main tourist destinations on the Mediterranean. It is a rich and varied territory, with a long coastline bathed in sunshine and an interior dotted by quiet villages and cultivated fields. The Costa Dorada is much more than sun, sea and sand. It offers its visitors a wide range of leisure activities, culture, nature and history in an ideal setting of peace and tranquillity, perfect for holidays with the whole family.

Tossa del Mar has beautiful beaches—and tourists flock to them in summer, so make sure you have a reservation if you’re planning to visit in high season. Enjoy the seafront restaurants (and, of course, fresh-caught fish specialties) and many tapas bars in this charming Catalan town.

Everyone who visits Paris for the first time probably has the same punchlist of major attractions to hit: The Louvre, Notre Dame, The Eiffel Tower, etc. Just make sure you leave some time to wander the city’s grand boulevards and eat in as many cafes, bistros and brasseries as possible. And don’t forget the shopping—whether your tastes run to Louis Vuitton or Les Puces (the flea market), you can find it here.

Honfleur, a harbour in Normandy, was popular with Impressionist painters like Monet and Boudin. They found its changing light and picturesque quays inspiring—and even today, if you return to the same spot every day to take a photo, you'll find no two are the same. On Saturday, visit the town's lively market and stock up on local cheese.

St. Ives boasts a quartet of golden-sand beaches. Sheltered coves draw swimmers and sun-worshippers, but water-sports aficionados visit St. Ives for great surfing, windsurfing and water-skiing conditions. And on your way there, keep your eyes peeled for a dude with seven wives. You never know when nursery rhymes might come true.

Over the centuries, many cultures have added their mark to this prized piece of land. Today, you can experience those influences firsthand by exploring Istanbul’s mahalles (neighbourhoods). From the holy sites of Sultanahmet and the 19th-century European elegance of Beyoğlu to the high fashion of Nişantaşı, the vibrant café society of Kadıköy and the football-loving streets of Beşiktaş, it’s easy to see why travellers say that Istanbul isn’t just one city, but many cities within one.

The first time you go to New York, go ahead and be a sight-seer—everyone should visit the Statue of Liberty, the Met, Times Square, etc. But on a return trip, pick a neighbourhood and go deep. You’ll find hole-in-the-wall bars, great delis, quirky shops… exploring the non-touristy side of New York is an incredibly rewarding experience for a traveller.