Once a sleepy regional capital, Bangalore today is a modern metropolis that will come as a big surprise to those visiting for the first time. Also known as Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, is the technological hub of India and the very place where the country’s new, confident global identity is being forged. Although the city might somewhat lack historical sites, its buzzing and liberal atmosphere provides the perfect base for exploring the beautiful temples and palaces of the Deccan.

Valladolid breathes history. This is the place where King Felipe II was born, the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabel were married, and Christopher Columbus died. This was once the capital of Spain, and although it has lost this title, it's still the principal city of Castilla y Leon, the land of castles from which the word ‘Castilian’ is derived. Today, Valladolid is a bustling university city that thrives on its manufacturing industries. It is a down-to-earth, lively place that blends the old with the energetic new.

The Greeks and Romans did it, as did rich lords, film stars, artists, and thousands of tourists. They were just going to pass by but instead remained in Nice and along the Riviera. Some for just a few weeks, others for months and years. They were too captivated by the light, enchanted by the scents, and charmed by the taste of olives and wine. Additionally, a Nice Nouveau has evolved – a sassy Mediterranean metropolis with pulsating nightlife, modern hotels, and daring art galleries. All this with a chance to dabble their toes in a turquoise sea.

Overlooked by spectacular heights of Table Mountain and surrounded by stunning beaches, lush farmland, and superb vineyards, Cape Town has established itself as South Africa’s cultural capital and one of the most vibrant cities on the continent. This is where African, European, and Asian cultures meet in a multi-ethnic rainbow reflected in its music, architecture, visual arts, as well as in its amazing choice of cuisines. Cape Town is great for partying as well, with a year-round calendar of festivals, parades, and world-class sporting events.

Unjustly overlooked by travellers en route to Tunisia's celebrated seaside resorts, the nation's capital certainly deserves more than just a quick glance through the shuttle bus window. The city lives and breathes history, from the crumbling columns of Carthage to Medina's labyrinthine alleys, where the scent of orange blossom mingles with freshly baked tabouna bread. This is where Roman mosaics, Ottoman arches and mid-century modernism collide with unshowy authenticity.