Hidden gems

Nîmes

Nîmes is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is also the city of spring, named after the Roman God Nemausus. In recent years Nîmes has been rediscovered as a weekend destination, thanks to, in large part, its beauty, rich architectural heritage and proximity to both the Mediterranean and Provence. There are also many exciting restaurants in the city, including Aux Plaisirs des Halles by Nîmes’ large indoor food market.

Canberra

Edged by mountain ranges, Canberra is a planned city built on vast limestone. Canberra is Australia’s national capital – seat of the Federal parliament and home to many institutions and national monuments. Four distinct seasons add to its charm and visitors quickly discover that it really is Australia’s hidden gem. The surrounding countryside contains historic and picturesque rural villages and a burgeoning cool-climate wine industry.

Bratislava

Bratislava - the little big city. With fewer than half a million people, Bratislava ranks among Europe's most relaxed capitals, because everything is in close vicinity, reachable within a few minutes walking distance. It even has two capital cities nearby - Vienna (80km) and Budapest (200km) - reachable also by a boat on the river Danube. The city itself has its old-town charm, sophisticated restaurants, traditional pubs, good music ranging from jazz to opera, stylish people, and a human scale which means that as a visitor you will not spend half your day trekking in and out of underground stations or getting from the airport into town. All this with Central Europe's greatest river as a backdrop.

It's all happening in Rotterdam!

Rotterdam is a young, dynamic global city, continuously renewing itself at a rapid rate. Sparkling skyscrapers, an impressive port, trendy restaurants and food markets, renowned museums and awesome festivals are the direct result of the can-do mentality of the Rotterdammers. Add to that the many extraordinary attractions and city tours – by bike, bus, boat or on foot – and you understand why Rotterdam was voted Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2016. Rotterdam embraces experimentation: almost anything is possible. Here, you are constantly surprised by new initiatives: from a rooftop city farm to a music festival in the harbour, from an exclusive rooftop bar to a brewery in an old warehouse. If you love architecture then a visit to Rotterdam - with its patchwork of architectural styles - is a must. Icons of the past clash cheerfully with the hypermodern landmarks that have been built in recent decennia: the Erasmusbrug, Rotterdam Central Station, De Rotterdam, the Timmerhuis and of course the Markthal. In short: It’s all happening in Rotterdam! Come to the city and experience it for yourself.

Holy Hamburg

Die Adventszeit ist für jeden einzelnen von uns die schönste Zeit des Jahres. Plätzchen und Schokolade zum Frühstück sind erlaubt, der Glühwein taut die Gemüter auf und ein Meer aus Lichtern verwandelt die graue Landschaft in eine funkelnde Traumwelt. Wieso also versuchen der schönsten Zeit des Jahres zu entfliehen? Es ist doch viel einfacher – und außerdem schöner – sich der Magie der Adventszeit hinzugeben. The Advent season is the most beautiful time of the year – for each one of us and for many different reasons. Biscuits and chocolate for breakfast are totally acceptable, mulled wine lights up the hearts and minds, and a sea of light transforms monochrome landscapes into a sparkling winter wonderland. So why would anyone wish to escape to sunnier climes? In fact, it is much easier – and more heart-warming – to truly immerse yourself in the magic of the festive period. #HolyHamburg

Chisinau

Chisinau appears to have little to no concern for the superficial – still very much rough around the edges and with scant tourist infrastructure, the Moldovan capital conquers with precisely its uncharted quality, an authenticity guaranteed to make off-the-beaten-path aficionados' and Soviet era enthusiasts' hearts flutter with excitement. The country's genuinely welcoming populace, free-flowing wine and overtly low travel costs all ensure its relatively obscure status isn't long to stay.

Pau

Nestled in the corner of rural south-west France stands Pau, the capital of the Béarn province, a bastion of history and culture. The town occupies a unique geographical position in the foothills of the Pyrenées. With its awe-inspiring views of the mountain range, Pau is only a few hundred kilometres from the major towns of Bordeaux and Toulouse, and even closer to Spain and the Atlantic Ocean. A springboard to sunny beaches or snow-capped mountains, Pau’s pretty streets and excellent gastronomy are enough to ensure leaving will be difficult.

Ghent

Ghent is a compact, authentic city where the past and present co-exist in perfect balance. Walking through the city is like travelling through time: you turn the corner and just like that, you go from the fourteenth century to the twenty-first. In Ghent pounds the young heart of a cultural city filled with music, theatre, film and visual arts. Because of its central location in Flanders, Ghent is an ideal operating base to visit the Flemish Art Cities. Ghent is ready to welcome you with open arms!

48 hours in Rotterdam

A couple of days in Rotterdam? Keen to explore Rotterdam but not sure where to start? Let this video inspire you and discover how you can get the most out of Rotterdam in 48 hours.