Umeå, known as the City of Birches, isn't just about high-quality culture. It's home to some of Northern Sweden's finest dining establishments, where the delicacies of the Norrland cuisine are served with remarkable precision. Add to this a plethora of outdoor activities, and it becomes clear why, among others, tens of thousands of students find Umeå so appealing.

The low-rise Gambian capital might not be as advanced of a visitor hub as one would, perhaps, expect from a city of such national significance, but it certainly boasts some raw appeal contained within its pulsating and often rather hectic streets. Beyond Banjul proper lies the sprawling Serekunda — Gambia's most populous area — and the vacationer-favoured coastal settlements of Kololi, Bakau, Koto and Fajara.

Drop anchor in Karlskrona, the city founded in 1680, when Charles XI decided to build the country's new naval base here. 340 years later, the naval base remains, and the well-preserved architecture and city plan impressed Unesco, which gave Karlskrona World Heritage status in 1998. Wherever you go, you can see magnificent churches and squares, parade streets and fortifications that attract visitors from all over the world. All this on several islands in an archipelago that Unesco has designated as one of seven biosphere reserves in Sweden.

With crystal clear waters and uniquely rich marine life, Bonaire is regarded as a premier diving destination. Yet, there is plenty to see and do even after your swim fins are off — salt pyramids, a cactus distillery, and historical monuments to name but a few.