Hidden gems

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..

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.

If you fancy a hand of cards, Altenburg is the place for you: playing cards has been practised here for over 500 years, and the national card game ’skat’ was first played here. The town has a history of 1000 years, and boasts an impressive castle set on a rocky outcrop. Buy collapsible top hats on Rossplan Square, and baptise your cards at the Skat fountain: it brings good luck!

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.

Sun-drenched beaches sit next to desert wilderness in Aruba, one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. With warm and sunny weather all year round, the island seems frozen in a timeless holiday atmosphere, with turquoise ocean waters washing over Aruba's soft warm sand. Nightlife bursts with Latin music and exotic sounds, and exciting shopping and dining await at every corner. Stronger waves break against the eastern coast, deserted and swept over by wind – exploring it will lead the most adventurous visitors to spectacular vistas.

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.

Few Greek islands boast an immaculacy comparable to that of Astypalaia - a butterfly-shaped cloistral haven rising from the stunning blue of the Aegean Sea. Captured at certain angles, Astypalaia bears a striking semblance to its not-so-distant yet far more glamorised cousin of Santorini. With its pristine beaches, whitewashed houses, and uncharted walking paths, the island is an explorer's heaven, and a find for those looking to escape the madding crowds of summer vacationers.