Minneapolis is a city on the rise. Situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, it is rumored that iconic American writer Mark Twain was the first to assign the name ‘Twin Cities’ to Minneapolis and neighboring city St. Paul. It's a metropolis that can cater to all your wishes: spend an entire week shopping, finding all the popular brands and some local ones, or go on a pub crawl and discover high-quality bars the city has to offer.

Playful, vibrant, and brimming with creativity, Nantes is a city turned upside down by art. Located in southern Brittany near the Atlantic, it blends history and imagination—explore the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, follow in the footsteps of Jules Verne, and ride the whimsical Grand Elephant at Les Machines de l’île. Then, lose yourself in the charm of the medieval quarter and be surprised by bold contemporary art along the Loire estuary.

Sitting proudly on the shores of Hakata Bay, Fukuoka is a city ablaze with the neon glare of the 21st century, moving at a slower and much more manageable pace than its better-known siblings from Honshu. There are plenty of Japanese flavours to be had here, both figuratively and in the very direct sense of the word, along with a lot of uniquely local flair for those looking to cast their nets wider than the staples of Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka.

Welcome to Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, where giant pandas delight tourists at the Chengdu Breeding Research Base. Though a modern city, Chengdu is where life happens in the back streets, with crowds waiting outside hot-pot restaurants, and tea houses abuzz with mahjong players and their noisy tile-shuffling game.

Where the Nissan river meets the sea lies Halmstad — a delightful mix of vibrancy and small-town charm, salty beaches and tranquil fresh waters. Several beaches, besides the well-known Tylösand, line the four-mile coast. The city centre is cosy, where small shops intermingle with a charming café and restaurant scene. Halmstad boasts a varied and rich array of events for all ages, year-round. Art is ever-present, featuring works by, among others, Milles and Picasso. Whoever you are, whatever you want to do, Halmstad has the experience for you.