As the poet Umberto Saba wrote: “Trieste has an unsociable grace. Located between the sea and the mountains of Carso, beautiful and fascinating, she does not like to show off, although she conquers her visitor at first sight.” Tergeste, as Trieste was named during the Roman era, is to be discovered on foot, to fully taste her richness and to breathe, through her streets, buildings and monuments, her 2000-year-old history.

This small but perfectly formed city in the picturesque county of Devon has preserved many of its historic features while enjoying all the amenities and vibrancy of a modern cosmopolitan hub. Exeter is the perfect base to explore the surrounding English countryside dotted with pretty villages, quaint old pubs and tea rooms serving the famous Devon cream tea. All of this comes with the added bonus of being only a short journey to the nearby coastal resorts, fishing ports, and sandy beaches of the English Riviera and the World Heritage Jurassic Coast.

Qingdao is possibly the most beautiful coastal city of China, famous for comfortable weather, a large number of beaches and delicious seafood. Being a former German concession has also provided it with attractive European-style buildings and one of the best brews in Asia, the famous Qingdao Beer. It has long been a favourite escape for Chinese holidaymakers and after having its profile raised when hosting the 29th Sailing Regatta during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it has been steadily coming under the radar of foreign visitors as well.

Faro, the capital of the Algarve region, is located on Europe’s most scenic coast, offering beautiful, long sandy beaches. Faro is a charming old town with cobbled streets and leafy parks, the perfect starting point for day-trips to all the marvellous major destinations of this wonderful region.