Colombo is the financial and cultural centre of Sri Lanka, an enchanting island lying off India's southern tip. These city folks go about their daily business with a cheerfulness born of optimism in this noisy and traffic-congested metropolis. But despite being known as a chaotic city, Sri Lanka's capital offers a handful of attractions for first-time visitors, including old colonial buildings, breathtaking religious temples, a beautiful shore, and flavourful food.

Graz – Austria’s culinary and cultural capital. A practical tip from the start: If you want to explore Graz, wear comfortable shoes and loose clothing. Why? Even if Graz is actually small — the second-largest city in Austria with a quarter of a million resident by no means a “big city” — you should be prepared for the fact that time also flies in the many short lanes. Comfortable footwear goes easy on busy feet here. In the historic old town with its roads, streets, squares and courtyards there’s lots to explore and even more to enjoy.

In the Alpine foothills, just 50 km from Milan, Bergamo is the most striking city in Lombardy. Built on two levels, the Lower City is more modern and dynamic, whilst the famous ‘Upper City’ boasts a stunning historic centre full of monuments and works of art. In the area around the city the Iseo Lake is well worth a visit, as are the sanctuary at Caravaggio and Crespi d’Adda – the most important company town in Italy, listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Kos, a jewel among the Dodecanese islands, brims with energy every summer. Not just a sun-worshipper's paradise, Kos boasts a wealth of historic landmarks — legacies of its colourful past. Cycling enthusiasts will find joy in the bike-friendly terrain. Travellers can reach Kos via its international airport or the ferry service from Athens and nearby islands.

Cartagena de Indias reigns as the crown jewel of Colombia’s Caribbean coast — not for checklist attractions, but for its sheer atmospheric magic. Within its 16th-century stone walls (built to repel pirates like Sir Francis Drake), the city unfurls as a living postcard: pastel-hued colonial buildings, salsa rhythms spilling onto cobbled streets, and horse-drawn carriages clattering past vibrant plazas. By day, the scent of fried plantains and coconut rice fills the air; by night, rooftop bars hum with rum cocktails and sea breezes.