Over a million visitors flock to the Kingdom of Crystal each year, an area spanning Kronoberg and Kalmar counties in Småland, within the municipalities of Emmaboda, Lessebo, Nybro, and Uppvidinge. Many return time and again, and it's easy to see why. Watching the glowing hot glass mass transform into delicate crystal or robust bowls is a spectacle that never grows old. Here, you can discover renowned glassworks and brands such as Orrefors, Kosta Boda, Skruf, Mats Jonasson Målerås, among others. Additionally, you can enjoy the best of Småland's nature, with its forests, lakes, stone walls, and a wealth of cultural experiences like Vilhelm Moberg's emigrant route.

It is easy to overlook this small island nation, having, as it does, such powerful and flashy neighbours like Qatar and the Emirates. However, ignoring Bahrain would be a huge mistake. It is an emerging power in the region, with all the luxury and worldliness of a cosmopolitan destination and all the charm and personality of a small island. Add to this the growing art scene and burgeoning international cuisine in the country, and you have the newest prime travel destination in the region, and the most socially liberal one.

Just 250 kilometres north of the polar circle, the summer sun shines for almost two months without going down, while the polar nights offer the most intense Northern Lights that can be seen. In Kiruna, the northernmost city in Sweden, you can go slalom skiing until midsummer or spend the night in a magnificent hotel built from ice. The phrase "kingdom of contrasts" is overused, but Kiruna truly embodies it.

The bright, lively capital of the Loire Valley region is nestled between two rivers: the Loire and the Cher, with the picturesque Vieux Tours old quarter lying on the long, narrow peninsula. Brilliant modern architecture contrasts against an array of historic buildings, with an added bonus of fine food and wine famed all over France.