Historical destinations

If you have not been to Belgrade, this city will surprise you. European metropolis in the heart of the Balkans, Belgrade is proudly standing between two different worlds, East and West, never being one nor the other, with its unique mixture of the both. It is said that Belgrade is Berlin of the Balkans, a city with the energy of New York, urban capital of cool. Also known as the most perspective city in Europe, Belgrade is a hip dynamic city which embraces visitors from all around the world.

The unofficial capital of Transylvania, Cluj-Napoca is a place significantly less grim than its ominous administrative status may imply. Named European Youth Capital in 2015, the city is home to an estimated 100,000 students (who make up about a fifth of the population) – a statistic that partly explains Cluj's current cultural Renaissance and well-deserved reputation of a party town.

Located in the beautiful county of Devon, this small but perfectly formed city has preserved many of its historic features while enjoying all the amenities and vibrancy of a modern cosmopolitan hub. Exeter is a perfect base to explore the surrounding English countryside dotted with pretty villages, quaint old pubs and tearooms serving the famous Devon cream tea. All of this comes with the added bonus of being only a short journey to the nearby coastal resorts, fishing ports and sandy beaches of the English Riviera and the World Heritage Jurassic Coast.

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.

Cave Creek, Arizona is an archeologist’s dream. Myriads of Hopi Indian tribal artifacts line the mountainsides and stone formations, and the flora is entirely unique to the region. Naturally, Cave Creek shares the abundant sunshine and divine landscape of greater Arizona, which consequently draws countless visitors each year to its location. The lifestyle of this city is entirely Western, with rural development, open trails, spaces and wildlife habitats, and overwhelmingly fantastic views.

A historical and cultural hub, Clermont-Ferrand houses architectural beauties and glorious cathedrals with a clear Gothic accent. Nestled at the foot of a chain of volcanoes, the ancient city is the capital of "Massif Central", the rural and mountainous Auvergne region. The city is the gateway to the Natural Volcano Park, which shifts from mountains to valleys, providing breathtaking views over unspoiled landscapes.

The narrow, cobbled streets of Alghero’s medieval citadel, packed with boutiques, bars and restaurants, slope towards the harbour and sweeping bay. Built in a buttery sandstone that glows a soft apricot shade in the setting sun, it’s Sardinia’s most picturesque Old Town. Spanish-style palazzos and street signs in Italian and Catalan reflect its proud heritage: 300 years of Aragon rule. Fringed by pine forests, long sandy beaches, hotels and bars curve away towards green headlands. It’s an idyllic setting.

In the Alpine foothills, just 50 km from Milan, Bergamo is the most striking city in Lombardy. Structured in two levels, the lower city is more modern and dynamic, whilst the famous ‘upper city’ boasts a stunning historic centre full of monuments and works of art. In the area around the city the Iseo Lake is well worth a visit, as is the sanctuary at Caravaggio and Crespi d’Adda – the most important company town in Italy, listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO.