Hidden gems

Cape Verde’s unique geographic location, troubled history of slavery and invasion, and fascinating mix of transatlantic cultures has given rise to a place unlike any other on the globe, a place as joyful as it is full of longing, a fact perhaps best reflected in Cape Verdean music and the hauntingly beautiful ‘morna’. The sometimes harsh, drought-prone conditions of this mid-Atlantic scattering of islands have seen the flourishing of a fascinating Creole culture and the most stable democracy in Africa, which is currently enjoying its moment as a sought-after, yet still under-discovered, vacation destination.

They all used to come here, from Napoleon III to Frank Sinatra – Biarritz used to be the Monte Carlo of the Atlantic coast but with the time, the glamour faded. Thanks to windsurfing and other water sports, however, the city has rejuvenated. It now is the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend break, completed by some of the best food around. And there is no need to rush: the city is fairly small and you can easily see everything around, even during a short visit. One thing worth to set aside time for is the morning market in Les Halles: try the city’s own mamia, fresh curd sheep’s milk.

Located in the arid but fertile expanse known as La Mancha, forever immortalized as the setting for Don Quixote's misadventures, lies the beautiful medieval city of Ciudad Real. Remnants of ancient city walls, churches galore and spectacular cuisine based primarily on cheese, cured meats and wine all make a visit well worth it, and now with high-speed rail connections to both Madrid and Sevilla, it has never been easier.

Bremen is a picturesque city which is happily situated along both sides of the river Weser. With over 1200 years of history to explore, amble through the twisting lanes filled with quaint shops and cafes, making sure to stop at the Dom St Petri and the UNESCO World Heritage listed Rathaus, or Town Hall, hailed as the finest in Europe. The world famous Beck's Beer is brewed here, and guided tours are offered to visitors year round. With so much to do, see, eat and drink, explore this guide to make the most of your trip to Bremen..

Bari, a typical maritime and market city, it is the capital of the Apulia region and the second biggest city in the south of Italy. The city developed industrially in the second half of the twentieth century and now boasts an important trade fair, the largest in the south. Tourists visit Bari for its historic buildings, artwork and fascinating town centre, as well as for the beaches which surround the area.

6 500 islands in the middle of the Baltic Sea. A unique destination, an island string of pearls stretching between the big cities, an archipelago between Stockholm and Turku, within easy reach from Helsinki and Tallinn. On the Åland Islands, the sea is never far away. They boast 17,000 km of shoreline, a pleasant maritime climate and the highest number of sunshine hours in Scandinavia. Experience the charm of this island country, the red granite cliffs, nature and tranquillity.

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.

Destination Cap d'Agde Mediterranean Cape of Agde Mediterranean Alliance between land and sea Cap of Agde Mediterranean is located In the south of France, in Occitania, a region that enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year; everyone agrees that it is a great holiday destination. It is made up of 3 complimentary seaside resorts:Cape of Agde, Vias and Portiragnes, with fine sand and volcanic beaches, beaches bordered by pine forests, and an authentic hinterland with towns and villages with a well kep heritage, with living tradtions and varied arts and crafts professions. Featuring Pézenas, the town of Molière, Agde, the Ancient Phocaean trading post or Montagnac, the great mediaeval fair town. The Canal du Midi is the backbone of the Cap d'Agde Mediterranean passing through it from one end to the other. There are so many entertainment and cultural events on offer that you’ll keep wanting to come back throughout the year. It also offers 20km of coastline, partly wild and partly developed fine sandy beaches, a natural environment made up of parks, pine forests, closely protected marine areas, historical monuments, astonishing heritage, top quality sporting facilities and is a permanent whirl of activity.