Kerala’s first city, with its knotty official name of Thiruvananthapuram (often substituted by the shorter, more manageable Trivandrum), is a rich introduction to southern India's urban and cultural life. Trivandrum tends to be unjustly overlooked en route to the state's beachside settlements but easily warrants a few days of its own.

Olbia is the gateway to the pearly white beaches of Sardinia's northeast coast and the sparkling Costa Smeralda. This is where jet-setters, film stars and the ‘glitterati’ arrive to indulge in 'la dolce vita' Sardinian-style. With a Greek name meaning ‘happy’, Olbia used to be a little fishing village but has now grown to become Sardinia’s busiest ferry port, complete with an international airport and tons of tourist amenities. The countryside is cloaked in aromatic wild herbs, the macchia, and the surrounding sea glows in every hue of electric blue, in a little known and exclusive place waiting to be discovered.

Though it might get overlooked in favour of larger, more glamorous cities, like Riyadh or nearby Doha, the discerning traveller will not want to pass up the opportunity to visit Dammam. As if the stunning desert scenery alone was not enough to enchant visitors, the city also offers heaps of fine dining, great shopping, and some of the most pleasant green spaces, parks and seaside walkways you are likely to find at a desert destination.

Stockton, California was founded in 1849 during the California Gold Rush. Though Stockton is 75 miles from the ocean, it is a port city, with ocean going vessels visiting the port daily. The waterways that connect to the port are known as the California Delta and provide access to over 1,000 miles of waterways open for fishing and recreation. Stockton is located in the Central Valley, about 90 minutes from San Francisco and 2 1/2 hours from Yosemite National Park. Stockton is surrounded by rich agricultural land with many farms and wineries available to visit.

Mention of Pilsen most often evokes beer and the famous legend that gave name to all its types more than 170 years ago. However, the city has more to offer, as the historical city centre features plenty of gems reminding of its rich history: the Gothic St Bartholomew‘s Cathedral with the highest church tower in the Czech Republic, Renaissance City Hall, the labyrinth of corridors of the Pilsen Historical Underground, Franciscan Monastery, and the unique Great Synagogue, which is the fourth largest synagogue in the whole wide world.