The winding road up to the caldera is a thrill in its own. Only after dozens of twists, turns and breathtaking vistas of mossy green cliffs can travellers arrive at the secluded settlement of Cilaos. For best vistas, walk up the Roche Merveilleuse, and do stop by the local thermal baths.

Feast your eyes and fill your camera roll with Norway's postcard-perfect scenery on this fjord tour from Bergen. Head along the narrow Mostraumen fjord to see some of western Norway's most spectacular landscapes. Spot wildlife, including seals and goats, and sample the fresh mountain water.

Over a century old, the Speicherstadt is the world's largest integrated complex of warehouses. Visitors to Hamburg will discover a picturesque setting of Wilhelmine era Gothic architecture rendered in red brick, featuring unusual gables and towers. Precious commodities are stored at controlled temperatures behind the massive walls: coffee, tea, cocoa, spices, tobacco, and the world's largest collection of Oriental rugs. If you're pressed for time or wish to give your feet a rest after exploring the city, consider taking a one-hour evening boat tour. The Speicherstadt looks particularly enchanting at sunset.

Perched on the hill between the Forum and the upper part of the city, you will find the 14th-century church and monastery of St Francis of Assisi. Now used to house a remarkable collection of stone monuments and copies of Istrian frescoes, the church also hosts classical music concerts in the summer months.