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.

Hannover is a modern metropolis set among countless idyllic little towns and cute villages — with its programme of major events and open-air concerts, the baroque Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen and its top-notch artistic and cultural offerings, this city boasts a range of absorbing leisure activities that scarcely any other city can rival. Among the tourist highlights of the area, surrounding its federal state capital, are Lake Steinhude, the ridge of the Deister Hills and the Marienburg Castle.

Bloomington’s crown jewel is the vast Mall of America — a 2.5-million-square-foot playground where shopping, dining , and entertainment collide. Ride roller coasters at Nickelodeon Universe, try axe-throwing, or explore new additions like FlyOver America. Just minutes from Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, the city also surprises with nature: hike the Minnesota River trails or spot wildlife in the 14,000-acre National Wildlife Refuge. Just next to the Twin Cities, urban convenience meets outdoor escape.

Prosperous and lively, Brescia is Lombardy’s second biggest city, a university town with a modern business area (Brescia Due). Located between two of Italy’s most famous lakes, Lake Garda and Lake Iseo, Brescia is often overlooked by visitors who bypass the city itself and head straight to the undeniably beautiful lakes. A great pity, as Brescia boasts one of the most beautiful historic centres in the region, and some of the best Roman and Lombard remains in northern Italy.

The Elbe River, lakes and canals, the historic Town Hall, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District with Chilehaus, the nightlife on the famous Reeperbahn and the traditional Hamburg fish market shape the image of Hamburg, Germany’s green city on the waterfront. The HafenCity offers modern architecture and the new landmark, the concert hall Elbphilharmonie. In Hamburg — Germany's second biggest city — prestige, elegance and creativity are combined to create an edgy, modern vibe.