Comprising the provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Castellon, Valencian Country basks on the Mediterranean Coast in central southeastern Spain. The densely populated area is a prime tourist destination, with Valencia city having the reputation as the place the Spanish go to party. The area offers budget resorts, such as those on the Costa Blanca, to upscale villas in elegant Valencia. Small villages are scattered through the mountainous inland region, but it's the coast that remains the main draw.

Celebrate the wonders of the land and sea in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city and home to Liseberg amusement park, the country’s #1 tourist attraction. Visiting Gothenburg Archipelago is a must, as is sampling everything from modern gastronomy to ‘fika’ to the fresh-caught wonders at Feskekörka (Fish Church). Be sure to take in the Gothenburg Museum of Art, stunning contemporary art at Röda Sten Art Centre, and – if you visit in August – the incredible Way Out West music festival.

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.