Few Greek islands boast an immaculacy comparable to that of Astypalaia — a butterfly-shaped cloistral haven rising from the stunning blue of the Aegean Sea. Captured at certain angles, Astypalaia bears a striking semblance to its not-so-distant yet far more glamorised cousin of Santorini. With its pristine beaches, whitewashed houses, and uncharted walking paths, the island is an explorer's heaven, and a find for those looking to escape the madding crowds of summer vacationers.

"The city in its setting and entire surroundings may be said to have something ideal." (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1797). Scarcely any other European city has had its praises so often sung as Heidelberg. The mysterious Heidelberg Castle, the picturesque Old Town, and as Goethe himself stated, the perfection of its setting – in the nineteenth century, all of this attracted the German romanticists, who immortalized Heidelberg in poetry, music, and art. Today the charm of Old Heidelberg is combined with a future-oriented and international focus.

Historically an important trading centre, Peshawar lies near the Khyber Pass, a key route of the legendary Silk Road and gateway to the Indian subcontinent, travelled by conquerors and explorers. The Storytellers Bazaar (Qissa Khawani Bazaar) is a captivating reminder of the city’s role in world trade. Peshawar is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province where things remain volatile, but recent trends indicate a decline in criminality and a budding resurgence of urban life.

Rising out of the crystalline waters of the Aegean Sea, Santorini's other-worldly volcanic landscape of black and red-sand beaches and enormous caldera meet quintessentially Greek white-washed houses and blue-domed churches.

Located in the Canterbury region, Christchurch — the largest city on the South Island — is a compact city, easy enough to explore on foot or bicycle, with stunning nature never more than a stone's throw away. In the wake of the 2010-2011 earthquakes, Christchurch has re-emerged brighter and livelier than ever. It's a city where creativity and innovation run wild, and the hospitality and arts scenes are buzzing with energy. Truly, it's a unique destination that's positively thriving.