Sitting proudly on the shores of Hakata Bay, Fukuoka is a city ablaze with the neon glare of the 21st century, moving at a slower and much more manageable pace than its better-known siblings from Honshu. There is plenty of Japanese flavour to be had here, both figuratively and in the very direct sense of the word, and a lot of uniquely local flair for those looking to cast their nets wider than the staples of Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka.

World class shows. Neon lights set aglow. Numerous attractions lining the strip. But look again—this isn’t Las Vegas. This is Branson, Missouri. Lauded as the “Live Entertainment Capital of the World,” Branson draws myriads of visitors to its theaters, which feature anything from comedic magic acts to Elvis Presley tributes. The natural beauty cannot be ignored either, for the Ozark Mountains provide a terrain of sparkling waters and forested trails. It does tend to be humid in Branson, but the temperatures are mild to moderate.

White beaches, turquoise waters and a lively nightlife – these are images Bridgetown, the capital of the Caribbean island of Barbados, likely conjures up in the minds of most. But Bridgetown is so much more: there's the colonial heritage (its entire downtown is on the UNESCO list, after all), lush forests right outside city limits and and abundance of local and international shopping options. An animated buzz sets in as the sun goes down, inviting one to join the famously laid-back and welcoming Bajans on a night out.

Vienna is the capital of Austria and its largest city. Art and culture are embedded in the soul of Vienna: imperial splendour, world-class museums, opera and classical music heritage but also a unique Modernist legacy and a cosmopolitan flair. Walk down the parks- and grand palace-lined Ringstrasse, experience the centuries-old cafe tradition and admire the astonishing architecture of a buzzing modern capital filled with history.