Nestled in the corner of rural south-west France stands Pau, the capital of the Béarn province, a bastion of history and culture. The town occupies a unique geographical position in the foothills of the Pyrenées. With its awe-inspiring views of the mountain range, Pau is only a few hundred kilometres from the major towns of Bordeaux and Toulouse and even closer to Spain and the Atlantic Ocean. A springboard to sunny beaches or snow-capped mountains, Pau’s pretty streets, and excellent gastronomy are enough to ensure leaving will be difficult.

With its rich natural landscape, stunning scenery, and distinctive seasons, Sapporo captivates the explorer in all of us. The capital of Hokkaidō, the most northern and second-largest island of Japan, was established in 1868; its vast open wilderness backed by magnificent mountains was highly appealing to the early settlers back then, just as much as to any visitor today.

Steeped in Greek mythology and kissed by Aphrodite's charm, Paphos offers more than just clear blue waters and mild temperatures. Here, history and natural beauty coalesce in a landscape uniquely Cypriot. Situated in the Greek South, Paphos is a living testament to the island's multi-faceted personality: from its array of ancient ruins to its proximity to the untouched Akamas Peninsula, where dramatic bays and gorges await. Embark on an adventure that beckons amidst a complex, yet entrancing, backdrop shaped by the island's Greek and Turkish influences.

Like so many of the towns and cities of Egypt, Hurghada, Luxor and Marsa Alam are living history museums. The three cities are positioned as corners of a triangle in the Eastern Desert. Hurghada, a former fishing harbour, stretches 24 kilometres along the waterfront and is the perfect area for water sports. Marsa Alam is found by the Red Sea coast and tourism is just starting to make an impact. The city of Luxor, with its jaw-droppingly beautiful monuments built by the hands of ancient craftsmen, lies 240 kilometres inland on the banks of the River Nile.