Located in the deep south of France, Perpignan is the capital of the Pyrénées Orientales. Its geographical and cultural identity is directed naturally toward Spanish Catalonia since it's a border city, looking out onto the Mediterranean coast and the highest mountains of the French Pyrenees at once. Perpignan is a busy place greatly influenced by Mediterranean cultures and benefiting from 2,500 hours of sun per year. No wonder Salvador Dali saw it as the “Centre of the World”.

Blessed with 26 white sandy beaches, a vast blue bay and many tranquil inlets, Port Stephens is an idyllic destination about 2.5 hours north of Sydney. With a marine park rich in diversity, the area is famous for its resident dolphins, crystal clear waters and towering sand dunes. Daily dolphin-watching cruises depart from Nelson Bay and the ocean is great for watching whales during their annual migration. Charming towns are framed by bushland, wetlands and volcanic peaks. Enjoy fresh seafood and local wines in delightful settings.

Kerala’s first city, with its knotty official name of Thiruvananthapuram (often substituted by the shorter, more manageable Trivandrum), is a rich introduction to southern India's urban and cultural life. Trivandrum tends to be unjustly overlooked en route to the state's beachside settlements but easily warrants a few days of its own.

They all used to come here: from Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway to Frank Sinatra and the royals. Biarritz used to be the Monte Carlo of the Atlantic coast. With time, the glamour faded, bringing in a new, fresh wave of travellers. Thanks to windsurfing and other water sports, however, the charming city has rejuvenated. It is now the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend break, and there is no need to rush: the city is fairly small and you can easily see everything even on a short visit.