Dresden was known as both the 'Florence of the North' and the 'Venice of the River Elbe' before World War II destroyed most of this once-magnificent Baroque city. But Dresden has managed to restore much of its former glory. The views from the banks of the Elbe and plentiful architectural delights, such as the rebuilt Frauenkirche or the famous Semper Opera, provide glimpses of what today’s vibrant Dresden once looked like. With 63 percent of its area devoted to woods and green spaces, Dresden is also one of the greenest cities in Europe.

With 11 kilometres of sandy, white beaches, Bournemouth is one of the country’s premier resort towns. Located on the south coast of England, it offers visitors the best in water sports, yachting, beach life, nightlife and shopping. Bournemouth is renowned for its university, specialising in the fields of journalism, archaeology and health. Discover the beauty of this English city and join the countless cultural events such as the Bournemouth Air Festival or Bournemouth’s Arts by the Sea Festival.

Amersfoort is a beautiful city located in the middle of the Netherlands in the province of Utrecht. Through numerous monuments, cosy little streets, canals and architectural details you can really feel the medieval core of the city, established here in the 13th century. The compact city is surrounded with lush swathes of nature. Amersfoort is the conveniently reachable, both by car and by train. It’s only 30 minutes to Schiphol Airport!

Crown jewel of the Italian Riviera, Portofino lies between two gulfs creating a picturesque hamlet embedded in a Natural Reserve, a protected area that houses Mediterranean flora and fauna. Myriad of pastel colours tint the houses that overlook the Ligurian Sea, in a scenic view of nature's blessings blending perfectly with human handwork. The port bustles with yachts and little boats in a display of luxury, so no wonder that the once fishing village of Portofino has become a favourite among VIPs.

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