Olbia is the gateway to the pearly white beaches of Sardinia's northeast coast and the sparkling Costa Smeralda. This is where jet-setters, film stars and the ‘glitterati’ arrive to indulge in 'la dolce vita' Sardinian-style. With a Greek name meaning ‘happy’, Olbia used to be a little fishing village but has now grown to become Sardinia’s busiest ferry port, complete with an international airport and tourist amenities. The countryside is cloaked in aromatic wild herbs, the macchia, and the surrounding sea glows in every hue of electric blue, in a little known and exclusive place waiting to be discovered.

Golden domes and shimmering spires peek out from the wooded hills rising above the wide Dnipro River. Leafy-green Kyiv, with its traffic-packed boulevards, shopping malls, countless churches, brilliant music and lively nightlife, has embraced capitalism, yet held firmly to its heritage. The Caves Monastery is the spiritual heart of Ukraine, and nearby, a gigantic Brezhnev-era Motherland statue bearing sword and shield casts her all-encompassing eye over the city, the river, and its island beaches.

Palm trees provide a periphery of greens and browns as shadows run along the otherwise snow-capped contours of the mountain ranges. It is clear to visitors why Hollywood stars took Palm Springs as their refuge during the 1920s. The resort town has long remained a getaway for the upwardly mobile—garnering the nickname of “Hollywood's Hideaway”—and has since blossomed into an accessible vacation destination for those seeking lavish leisure among a host of natural and man-made attractions.

Welcome to Sweden's smallest province, and an island of grand adventures. Here, the best things in life don't cost a penny — the distinctive natural landscapes are free for all to enjoy. With over 300 kilometres of coastline, countless beaches, more than 75 nature reserves, the expansive Stora Alvaret, and the World Heritage-listed agricultural landscape of Southern Öland, there's no shortage of natural wonders. An added bonus is the 28 different species of orchids that flourish across the island. Welcomed to Öland!

The largest and southernmost Channel Island, Jersey, offers a unique mix of English and French influences. It boasts quaint fishing villages like St Aubin, with stunning sandy beaches and scenic coastal walks. Island life is full of festivals, with a local seasonal event being celebrated almost every month. The capital city, Saint Helier, is small but cosmopolitan, with a bustling harbour atmosphere.