Hidden gems

La Rochelle is more than just a seaport on the Atlantic Ocean. The city is an inevitable place to visit on the coast as one of the largest French harbor cities in terms of business and tourism. With its 1,000 years of history, it is also one of the best-kept secrets in the region. You will be surprised by its architectural heritage, its unique atmosphere, the diversity of its museums and its eclectic nightlife. The area is quite warm thanks to the Gulf Stream, on a par with the French Riviera!

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

Perugia is the provincial capital of Umbria, one of Italy’s most beautiful regions. The ancient heart of the city, packed full of Etruscan and Roman monuments, perches on a hilltop with the modern city spread below. With a prestigious university, the city has a lively student population, good shopping, fun bars and great restaurants. If that weren't enough, Perugia is the setting for one of Europe’s best jazz festivals: Umbria Jazz.

Naxos stands out from the Cycladic competition with its unusually crisp, white beaches and an exceptionally lush, fertile terrain. With none of Mykonos' pretense or Ios' ferocious partying, the island is a destination for those who enjoy a good hike and low-key evening entertainment. Naxos is also home to its fare share of ancient sites, off-lying mountain villages, and excellent family-run taverns.

A Coruña is a busy and attractive city at the very tip of Galicia. This is a perfect place to enjoy a gentle stroll around the streets and avenues, where it is possible to discover Roman architecture as well as more modern innovative buildings. The atmosphere in the many magnificent town squares is excellent and full of the joy of life on a hot summer’s day. Outside the town centre the beaches, the marina, the fishing port and the commercial port still play a very important role for the people of A Coruña.

We welcome you to Saba, our Unspoiled Queen...The island of Saba rises majestically from her clear azure waters, stretching her summit to caress the clouds... She is like no other Caribbean destination. Untouched by the quickening pace of the modern world, an island caught within a moment.... and the moment within which she's captured you ask? The old Caribbean; safe, friendly and charming with exquisite natural beauty both above and below her waterline.

Located in the deep south of France, Perpignan is the capital of the Pyrénées Orientales. Its geographical and cultural identity is turned naturally to Spanish Catalonia since it's a border city, looking out onto the Mediterranean coast and the highest mountains of the French Pyrenees at once. Perpignan is a busy place greatly influenced by Mediterranean cultures and benefiting from 2500 hours of sun per year - no wonder Salvador Dali saw it as the “Centre of the World”.

If it was a picture, Qingdao would be painted with blue sea and azure sky, red-roofed residences and green trees. Qingdao means “Green Island” in Chinese, and the name is a perfect match. This is possibly the most beautiful coastal city of China, famous for the comfortable weather, the large number of beaches and the delicious seafood. Being a former German concession has also provided it with attractive European style buildings and one of the best brews in Asia, the famous Qingdao Beer. It has long been a favourite escape for Chinese holidaymakers and after having its profile raised when hosting of the 29th Sailing Regatta during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it will undoubtedly come under the radar of foreign visitors as well.