Australia’s highest peaks are in the Snowy Mountains, where there’s thrilling downhill skiing and snowboarding during the snow season. Lively towns and resorts in this alpine region in the Southwest NSW are also popular destinations in warmer months for hiking, horse riding, kayaking, mountain biking and fishing. When spring melts the snow into cascading waters and wildflowers bloom, streams shelter trout and attract many fly fishermen. Vineyards in this beautiful region produce excellent cool-climate wines, and fresh produce is on sale at farm gates.

Helsinki is where the Baltic laps at granite shores and trams hum through streets lined with bold design and quiet charm. A city shaped by sea, sauna, and surprising contrasts, the Finnish capital balances raw nature with cool, clean modernity. Influences from East and West meet here, but the rhythm is all its own—unhurried, open, and thoughtful. Whether you're here for forests or flea markets, Helsinki has a way of drawing you in, slowly but surely.

The grind and glam of Nashville, Tennessee was well-earned. After all, it's known nationally and even worldwide as the "Music City." Serving home to the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and many major record labels, Nashville may trace the moniker back to 1874, when a performance by the Fisk Jubilee Singers for Queen Victoria of England earned her instant admiration and statement: "These young people must surely come from a musical city."

With a skyline dominated by the imposing Špilberk Castle and the soaring twin spires of the Peter and Paul Cathedral, Brno has an attractive and historic city centre. The name, Brno, might sound like a crossword anagram, but the Czech Republic's second-largest city and capital of Moravia is a vibrant, yet traditional place. Brno boasts stunning architecture, great museums, a crypt, a gorgeous lake–just a tram ride away–and an exciting, beer-filled bar scene without heaving crowds.

Located in the Canterbury region, Christchurch — the largest city on the South Island — is a compact city, easy enough to explore on foot or bicycle, with stunning nature never more than a stone's throw away. In the wake of the 2010-2011 earthquakes, Christchurch has re-emerged brighter and livelier than ever. It's a city where creativity and innovation run wild, and the hospitality and arts scenes are buzzing with energy. Truly, it's a unique destination that's positively thriving.