Bucharest is Europe’s best kept secret. While visually it can't quite compete with other grand Eastern European capitals, it leads the pack in dynamism, energy and forward momentum. The remnants of Communism are still palpable in the urban fabric, but the city has its sights set firmly on the future. Trendy outdoor cafes and high-street shops live side-by-side with gorgeous Orthodox churches and world-class art galleries in the old town, all overlooked by the imposing Palace of Parliament.

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.

Just a mere 38-minute journey from Stockholm, Uppsala is a city that dances between the beats of urban vibrancy and the soothing rhythm of a tranquil town. The city unfolds its rich history through iconic landmarks such as Uppsala Cathedral and Uppsala Castle. It’s also home to Scandinavia's oldest university and engaging museums offering glimpses into bygone eras. A dynamic fusion of tradition and modernity, Uppsala invites travellers to savour the seamless coexistence of the old and the new in this lively tapestry of cultural significance.

South African Durban, known as eThekwini in Zulu, has to be one of the continent's most appealing cities, especially after the 2010 World Cup breathed new life into the area by revamping the waterfront; the splendid Moses Mabhida Stadium remains one of Durban's primary attractions to date. Durban moves to the beat of gqom, its own home-grown music genre, which is slowly making its way onto global charts from South Africa's sunny, tropical melting pot of eclectic cultural influences.