Linz an der Donau is a cultural metropolis, and an oasis of green. It is a place where nature, culture and business come together to form a harmonious whole. The 2009 European Capital of Culture sports the slogan 'Linz, verändert' ('Linz, changes'), and lives up to the slogan in full. A successful location for business, the city has emerged as an outstanding destination for culture, offering dynamism and high quality of life. The capital city of Upper Austria is a showcase for theatre and music, contemporary art, history and science.

Valladolid breathes history. This is the place where King Felipe II was born, the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabel were married, and Christopher Columbus died. This was once the capital of Spain, and although it has lost this title, it's still the principal city of Castilla y Leon, the land of castles from which the word ‘Castilian’ is derived. Today, Valladolid is a bustling university city that thrives on its manufacturing industries. It is a down-to-earth, lively place that blends the old with the energetic new.

Qingdao is possibly the most beautiful coastal city in China, famous for comfortable weather, a large number of beaches and delicious seafood. A former German concession, it boasts charming European-style architecture and is home to Qingdao Beer, one of Asia’s most celebrated brews. Long a favourite among Chinese holidaymakers, Qingdao gained international attention during the Beijing Olympics and is now increasingly popular with foreign visitors seeking a unique mix of seaside relaxation and cultural heritage.

Once you’ve experienced Nuremberg’s enchanting historical ambience and seen the mighty Kaiserburg, you’ll never forget them. The beautiful Old Town, the epitome of medieval charm, is nestled at the foot of the castle. It’s home to historical buildings, spectacular churches, one of Germany’s largest pedestrian areas, and the traditional Hauptmarkt.

A well preserved, colonnaded medieaval old town with its world renowned Golden Roof. Right next to this there's a brightly coloured, sparkling imperial palace, the Hofburg - baroque and monumental. A stone’s throw away is the Hofkirche, a court church containing larger-than-life bronze statues, the Schwarze Mander, standing guard around the (empty) tomb of Emperor Maximilian I., a truly breath-taking sight and unique in Europe. High above this superb architecture towers the Nordkette, a magnificent mountain range between 2300 and 2500 m.