Forever immortalised as the setting for Don Quixote's misadventures, the beautiful medieval city of Ciudad Real is just a short train journey from Madrid or Seville. Remnants of ancient city walls, churches galore and spectacular cuisine based primarily on cheese, cured meats and wine are but some of the reasons to visit.

Rhodes, the pearl of the Mediterranean region, is a cosmopolitan island that combines unique natural beauty and archaeological wealth with stunning beaches and intensive nightlife. This is a place for everyone: simultaneously youthful and family friendly, romantic and modern.

Founded nearly eight centuries ago, Indonesia’s second-largest city has seen empires come and go. The founders of the Hindu Majapahit Empire arrived in the late 13th century and remained until the 17th, to be followed by Muslim rulers of Mataram, then the colonialists of the Dutch East India Company. In recent decades, Surabaya has grown into a cosmopolitan seaport and conurbation where 21st-century hotels, apartment towers, and shopping malls stand next to historic mosques and palaces.

The spectacular escarpment and beautiful beaches make Wollongong idyllic for outdoor adventures and fun. Just 80 kilometres south of Sydney, Wollongong is NSW's third-largest city. Skydive, hang-glide and paraglide above the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Surfing, water skiing, sailing and fishing are popular, too. Play golf on picturesque courses or relax on a beach. Rent a bike and ride along 60 kilometres of cycle paths or walk on rainforest trails. After all the outdoor activities, visit the city’s splendid art gallery and enjoy quality cafés and restaurants.

Not without reason, Durham is regarded as a historical city with a fascinating history. With its numerous Heritage sites, Durham is considered, by many, the spiritual capital of northern England as well as one of its most beautiful and unspoilt medieval centres. The medieval city sits atop a craggy hill encircled on three sides by the River Wear. Its panoramic view of the Cathedral and Castle is a relic of the Norman conquest and described as ‘one of the finest architectural experiences of Europe’.