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.

Melbourne is an artistic powerhouse with a vibrant and multicultural soul. Nicknamed "Paris of the southern hemisphere", Melbourne is not only known to be Australia’s cultural hotspot, but is also famous for its major sporting events and its culinary delights from all across the world. With its high-rise city centre and far-reaching suburbs, it is hard not to be dragged in by the life of the capital of Victoria, but day trips to the wild nature of the state are also extremely attractive.

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.

Traverse City’s claim to fame is its position as the largest producer of tart cherries in the United States. The Michigan city hosts annual events to celebrate the cherry harvests, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. The land is also ripe for Traverse City’s numerous vineyards, which place it among the Midwest’s top centers of wine production. After touring the orchards and attending the wine tasting events, head to Traverse City’s freshwater beaches, the National Lakeshore, downhill skiing areas, and verdant forests.

Cambridge is a city oozing with history and tradition at every turn. The cityscape is dominated by the university, with its 31 colleges and their extensive green gardens, known as the "Backs", spread throughout the city. Throngs of students making their way to class or lounging by the banks of the River Cam, books in hand, as punters lazily float by, enhance the academic feeling of this centuries-old centre of scholarship, along with the numerous fascinating museums and cultural events that take place in the city.