The small Mediterranean island of Corsica encompasses a bewildering diversity of landscapes, experiences, and delicacies. Though its southern counterpart often steals the spotlight, the region of Upper Corsica lacks for nothing in terms of entertainment, character, and natural beauty. And savvy travellers would do well not to ignore its unmistakable allure, from the peak of Monte Cinto to the island's numerous picture-perfect coastal and hilltop villages.

Santiago de Compostela has been a centre for culture and scholarship for centuries, most famous for being the end destination of a thousand-year-old pilgrimage: El Camino de Santiago, or the Way of Saint James. Being the capital of the Galician region in north-western Spain, everyday life in Santiago is modern and chic. Awarded recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage City in 1985, Santiago de Compostela is a historical gem and one of the most impressive cities in Spain.

Known as the Granite City because of the locally quarried stone, Aberdeen, the capital of northeastern Scotland, is one of the most distinctive cities in Great Britain. Surrounded by magnificent scenery, it mixes rich history, beautiful granite architecture and traditional industries with a flurry of leisure and entertainment amenities. It has a vibrant arts scene, a cosmopolitan atmosphere and one of the most buoyant economies in the country. Scotland’s third largest city truly has something to offer to everyone.

A gateway between the two nations of the Iberian peninsula, Badajoz lies as close to Lisbon as it does to Madrid or Seville, and the city draws on influences from both sides of the border, as well as from centuries of tumultuous history, to form its distinctive character. Winding medieval alleys and a skyline dotted with palace towers make the historic town a sight to behold, while the remnants of the majestic Alcazaba watch over the city as they have for centuries, once an impenetrable fortress that protected the area from countless invasions.

Like so many of the towns and cities of Egypt, Hurghada, Luxor and Marsa Alam are living history museums. The three cities are positioned as corners of a triangle in the Eastern Desert. Hurghada, a former fishing harbour, stretches 24 kilometres along the waterfront and is the perfect area for water sports. Marsa Alam is found by the Red Sea coast and tourism is just starting to make an impact. The city of Luxor, with its jaw-droppingly beautiful monuments built by the hands of ancient craftsmen, lies 240 kilometres inland on the banks of the River Nile.