Cuba's quintessential holiday destination is steadily regaining former glory, striding forward to the future where it will once again rank among the finest beach resorts in the Caribbean. Varadero is far from a synthetic vacationer theme park some hold it for - the town is home to nearly 20,000 Cubans and exudes local flavour despite being primarily known for its first-class luxury hotels.

From its unmatched romantic allure to its historical heritage to its indisputable beauty, there is no other city like Venice. The "Queen of the Adriatic" is composed of a maze of islands, canals, and bridges, hiding magnificent buildings, historical landmarks of great artistic and cultural importance, as well as charming restaurants and squares. There are no cars in Venice, but you won't need them anyway since "The City of Bridges" is best explored on foot.

Rhodes, the pearl of the Mediterranean region, is a cosmopolitan island that combines unique natural beauty and archaeological wealth with stunning beaches and intensive nightlife. This is a place for everyone: simultaneously youthful and family friendly, romantic and modern.

Beirut is the perfect destination for seasoned travellers: here, East and West intertwine in intricate ways, creating a city so magnetic that few are able to resist its powerful draw. Much has changed over the latter half of the twentieth century—Beirut rising to become glitterati central in the 60s but falling from grace during the bloody Civil War—but the city is alive and kicking, enticing travellers with superb gastronomy, the Middle East's most vibrant nightlife and close proximity to the ancient towns of Byblos and Baalbek.

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.