Historically an important trading centre, Peshawar lies near the Khyber Pass, a key route of the legendary Silk Road and gateway to the Indian subcontinent, travelled by conquerors and explorers. The Storytellers Bazaar (Qissa Khawani Bazaar) is a captivating reminder of the city’s role in world trade. Peshawar is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province where things remain volatile, but recent trends indicate a decline in criminality and a budding resurgence of urban life.

Saarbrücken, Germany's small jewel lying on the French border, is Saarland's charming and amicable capital that has some truly intriguing stories to tell: a plethora of Roman and Baroque landmarks, all scattered along the Saar river, speak of the region's eventful past.

Walking through Xi'an is like stepping back in time. The towering ancient city walls, the quiet streets around the Drum and Bell Towers, and the bustling markets all carry a sense of history. You can almost hear the whispers of ancient merchants who walked the Silk Road or feel the presence of emperors who once ruled here. Xi'an is a place where the past and present exist side by side in a way that feels both natural and humbling.

St Barts (Saint-Barthélemy) blends French sophistication with Caribbean ease across its 25 square kilometres of sun-drenched coves and scrub-covered hills. This petite island, nestled between St Martin and Guadeloupe, delivers outsized pleasures: from Michelin-worthy dining to yacht-filled harbours and powdery beaches framed by bougainvillea. Though favoured by jet-setters, its true wealth lies in preserved landscapes. Discover marine reserves, wind-sculpted cliffs, and that particular glow when golden hour gilds a rhum punch.

Called "the Flower of the East" by the Venetians, Zakynthos is still one of the lushest and most-loved Greek islands, with green hillsides covered with flowers in spring and early summer, steep cliffs dropping to dazzling turquoise waters, and some of the country's best beaches.