Graz – Austria’s culinary and cultural capital. A practical tip from the start: If you want to explore Graz, wear comfortable shoes and loose clothing. Why? Even if Graz is actually small — the second-largest city in Austria with a quarter of a million resident by no means a “big city” — you should be prepared for the fact that time also flies in the many short lanes. Comfortable footwear goes easy on busy feet here. In the historic old town with its roads, streets, squares and courtyards there’s lots to explore and even more to enjoy.

Cambridge is a city oozing with history and tradition at every turn. The cityscape is dominated by the university, with its 31 colleges and their extensive green gardens, known as the "Backs", spread throughout the city. Throngs of students making their way to class or lounging by the banks of the River Cam, books in hand, as punters lazily float by, enhance the academic feeling of this centuries-old centre of scholarship, along with the numerous fascinating museums and cultural events that take place in the city.

Vigo, a port city in Spain's north-west set scenically on the bank of Ria de Vigo estuary, is the world's largest fishing port. Vigo enjoys fine seafood fresh from the Atlantic, as evident in its numerous cozy taverns. The wildly beautiful Cies Islands, along with one of the world's finest beaches, Rodas, are only a short ferry trip away.

Santiago de Compostela has been a centre for culture and scholarship for centuries, most famous for being the end destination of a thousand-year-old pilgrimage: El Camino de Santiago, or the Way of Saint James. Being the capital of the Galician region in north-western Spain, everyday life in Santiago is modern and chic. Awarded recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage City in 1985, Santiago de Compostela is a historical gem and one of the most impressive cities in Spain.