Chosen as a winter refuge by Thomas Edison at the turn of the last century, Fort Myers sits away from busier and more opulent Florida centers, maintaining the carefree, low-key atmosphere of a sea town. Assuming beach life is Fort Myers' only attraction would be a mistake: the town center boasts a vibrant street life, with a plethora of indie art galleries and interesting spots for history and science lovers. The area's natural beauty continues inland, where protected animal species take shelter among mangroves and narrow bayou bends.

Discover Brian Head, Utah, a beacon for snow lovers perched at an elevation of 11,300 feet — one of the nation's highest ski resort towns. This winter wonderland welcomes a vibrant mix of vacationers and outdoor enthusiasts, drawn to the powdery slopes blanketed in an average of 350 inches of snow each year. Whether you're a first-time skier or a seasoned pro, Brian Head offers an unforgettable escape. Explore the slopes, hike through snowy trails, or simply bask in the natural beauty of this alpine paradise.

Waterford, the oldest city in Ireland, is the perfect blend of ancient and modern. Gourmet restaurants and traditional pubs co-exist with medieval city walls, quaint cobbled streets, and historic buildings still standing proud after more than a thousand years. As you leave the medieval strongholds behind, you will find yourself lost in the beauty of Wild Atlantic Way scenery.

As testified by epic movies like Shogun and Ran, Nagoya City is pure history, centred around Nagoya Castle. It was the Expo 2005 that put Nagoya on the world map. Post-Expo, Nagoya is positioning itself both as a centre for hi-tech industries and as a tourist gateway. Toyota Cars, old and new famed ceramics, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, dolls and robots castles, feudal villas and farmhouses pearls, and a plethora of shopping and nightlife spots await you in this not-so-obvious choice of a Japanese destination.

Graz – Austria’s culinary and cultural capital. A practical tip from the start: If you want to explore Graz, wear comfortable shoes and loose clothing. Why? Even if Graz is actually small — the second-largest city in Austria with a quarter of a million resident by no means a “big city” — you should be prepared for the fact that time also flies in the many short lanes. Comfortable footwear goes easy on busy feet here. In the historic old town with its roads, streets, squares and courtyards there’s lots to explore and even more to enjoy.