The capital city Copenhagen is very much about the water, with the old dockside redeveloped in recent years with warehouse conversions, trendy bars, restaurants and art centres. The water in the dock is clean enough to swim in, of which the locals take full advantage.

Copenhagen is also home to beautiful parks and a visit to sample the fascinating alternative lifestyle of the Christiana commune is a must.

Moving out into the countryside, Denmark is home to a number of historic and lovely towns. Sample Denmark’s Viking heritage in its oldest town Ribe, and try some delicious fish in Dragor, a short bus ride from the capital.

Travel to see Denmark’s islands and coastal towns and villages. Wander along the beach of fairytale-like Aeroskobing, historic Faaborg and beautiful Gudhjem – all are well worth a visit.

Denmark is home to an impressive seven UNESCO World Heritage sites including Roskilde Cathedral, the dramatic Wadden Sea National Park, the Viking Rune stones at Jelling and atmospheric Ring Fortresses.

Danish food is fresh and delicious and you must try the classic open sandwiches ‘Smorrebrod’ and the nation’s favourite ‘Stegt flaesk’, a very tasty and affordable dish of pork and potatoes.

In the summer, the countryside is perfect for hiking and camping in the national parks of Daisetsuzan, Akan-Mashu and Shikotsu-Toya. These are home to mountains, volcanoes, ancient forests and breathtaking lakes.

Mashu-Ko lake is often said to be the most beautiful in Japan, though that is a hard call to make. The island in its centre was called the Isle of the Gods by the Ainu, the ancient indigenous people of the island. Learn more about these fascinating people in the village of Ainu Kotan and take home a sample of their traditional handmade crafts.

The capital Sapporo is a lovely city. In the summer enjoy a drink and delicious all-you-can-eat meat dishes in the beer garden of its world famous brewery, take a stroll around the lovely Odori Park and relax in a delightful ‘Onsen’ hot spring.

As winter comes, join the crowds marvelling at the hundreds of ice sculptures of the Snow Festival and head to the resorts of Niseko, Teine, Kokusai and Kiroro Snow World for truly world-class ski facilities and spectacular off-piste skiing.

As so often in Japan, the food in Hokkaido is superb with delicious seafood, the freshest of vegetables and highest quality meat products. Hokkaido is truly a paradise island.

The capital Budapest is a delight – a beautiful, sophisticated and varied city which will amaze the first-time and repeat visitor. The main sites along the River Danube, which also offers delightful cruises, include (among many others) the majestic houses of Parliament and the imposing Chain Bridge, which has a stunning art nouveau building at one end, now a luxury hotel.

Hungary is blessed with hundreds of thermal springs and in Budapest they make full use of them in spas and bath houses, including the Ottoman-era Veli Bej and Rudas baths and the truly stunning Szechenyi Baths. The city also has many high quality and good-value bars and restaurants where you will find there’s so much more to Hungarian food than the iconic goulash.

Lake Baloton is a short train ride from the capital where you can cycle or hike through the forests that border on the Echo Trail, or Badacsony on the northern shore with its impressive basalt columns.

Head north to the city of Tokaj which is surrounded by a World Heritage Site due to its distinctive and historic wines and is a great base for visiting the many wineries in the area, where you can also drop off for some tasty ‘halaszle’ fish soup.

Take the boat from Hyeres to Porquerolles and wander through its historic forts and miles of pine forests, wild flowers and idyllic golden beaches.

Port-Cros, one of the aptly-named ’Iles d’Or’, is a wild paradise with delightful sea walks and is a strictly car-free zone.

A short distance from the glamour and glitz of Cannes lie the islands of Sainte Marguerite and Saint Honorat. Both have stunning natural sites and beaches and, on Saint-Honorat, the Catholic monks have turned much of the island into a picture perfect, peaceful garden.

From Toulon, the Ile d’Emblez is ideal for both walkers and beach lovers and there are many other smaller islands along this stunning coast just waiting for you to discover. Just remember to take a packed lunch and plenty of water; not all of the islands have bars or restaurants and if they do they’ll probably be rather popular!

If you like Tuscany then you’ll love Le Marche’s stunning countryside, dramatic coastline, historic towns and cities.

Start your journey into this bewitching land with the Renaissance wonder city Urbino. The birthplace of one of Italy’s greatest artists, Raphael, is also one of its most delightful towns, full of architectural and artistic masterpieces.

Le Marche is dotted with historic hill towns and, for a longer stay, check out Ascoli Piceno – a lively, buzzy town with highly attractive churches and piazzas and famous for its delicious street food, best served in the Fritto Misto all’Italiana festival in April.

Beach and nature lovers should head to the spectacular Parco del Conero, with unspoilt woodland and pebble beaches lapped by clear water. The busier resorts are Portonovo and Numana, but those looking for something a bit quieter should head to the chic village of Sirolo.

Nature lovers will be spoilt by the national park Monti Sibellini, with miles of hiking trails and the eponymous spectacular mountains.

Although landlocked, visitors can still relax on beautiful sandy beaches and idyllic islands on the UNESCO-listed Lake Malawi, which is also bordered by jungle teaming with wildlife. ‘Must sees’ on the lake include the Likoma and Marelli islands and the fishing village of Cape McClear, a great base for water sports such as kayaking, snorkelling and diving.

Majete Widlife Reserve is the best place to spot the ‘Big Five’ of lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. By visiting you will contribute to the local economy, further assisting the process of conservation which has seen wildlife flourish in the last two decades following years of poaching.

Stay in a lodge in Liwonde National Park and take the opportunity to see crocodiles and hippos on the Shire river, as well as herds of elephants heading for water holes.

The Shire Highlands offers a total change of scenery with green, lush hills and tea plantations. If you’re feeling energetic, head for a hike up the majestic Mount Mulanje.

The city of Blantyre is well worth a visit, with its lively bars and restaurants giving you the chance to meet the friendly and welcoming local people, as is the town of Mzuzu, where you can get some excellent quality and good value clothes made by the tailors in Mataifa Market. It’s also a great base for a visit to the backpacker haven of Nikhata Bay, where you can sample Chambo, a delicious freshwater fish.

As the capital of the province of Asturias, Oviedo is a historic city with squares full of bars and restaurants, including the oldest part – the Cimadevilla neighbourhood.

The city is home to ancient churches including three world heritage sites: the pre-Romanesque churches of Santa Maria del Naranco, San Miguel de Lillo and San Julio de los Prados – all beautiful and extremely atmospheric.

There is a lot to explore outside of the city – head east to the mountainous Picos del Europa National Park, home to oak and beech forests and the iconic brown bear and Iberian wolf. Then make your way to the coast to encounter the lovely fishing villages and resorts of Lastres, Ribadesella and Llanes.

Travel westward and you will find stunning beaches and picturesque villages such as Candas and Luanco and enjoy amazing fish dishes in Cudillero, with its picture-perfect brightly-coloured houses.

The food in Asturias is among the best in Spain with delicious cheeses, meat and fish dishes which make the most of its rich agricultural and fishing heritage. But no visit would be complete without trying ‘Fabada’ – a bean and sausage casserole, the amazing fish stew ‘Caldereta’ and one of the specialty dishes in Oviedo, ‘Carne Gobernada’ beef slow cooked in white wine and onion, all of them washed down with a glass or two of the local speciality cider ‘Sidra’.

Oviedo is a city ripe for discovery, one of Spain’s best cities and the perfect base to explore the jewel that is Asturias.

Montreal and Quebec City are two lovely cities well connected to each other by train. In Montreal, head to the Notre Dame basilica, the Chateau Ramezay museum and the Botanical Gardens, highly attractive and interesting ways to while away the time.

In Quebec City, must-sees include the colonial stone buildings of Vieux-Quebec and Place Royale and the pretty cobbled streets of Petit Champlain where you will feel transported back to 17th century France.

The Gaspe Peninsula is home to a dramatic coastline, many lighthouses and pretty towns. The Charlevoix region offers lovely sleepy villages in a verdant landscape and then head to the Saguenay Fjord at the mouth of the St Lawrence and the chance to spot whales including humpback, fin, minke and blue.

In the winter, try some snowmobiling around Mont Tremblant and the festive markets, ice rinks and mulled wine in the cities.

Finally, as befits its French heritage, Quebecois food is delicious; try cretons and the delicious pork and bean stew ‘feves au lard’. The cafes, bars and restaurants are also superb, making Quebec a joy for bon vivants.

Don’t miss the impressive MONA art gallery and the Salamanca area which boasts attractive converted warehouses, an amazing market and loads of bars and restaurants. You are never far from nature here and kunyanyi / Mount Wellington overlooks the city and is great for hiking.

Tasmania’s main draw has to be its land and seascapes and it has a number of incredible national parks. Freycinet National Park has a host of hiking trails, abundant wildlife and idyllic white sand beaches, including Tazzie’s most famous, Wineglass Bay.

Serious walkers should head to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and test their hiking boots on the week-long Overland Track.

The waters and deep gorges of the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park World Heritage site will provide even more delights for nature lovers, and adrenalin junkies can try out some climbing or rafting.

At night, this island reveals one of its most unforgettable features – incredibly clear skies free from light pollution, particularly in the south. Here you can see the Milky Way in its full glory or, if you’re really lucky, the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights.

Food lovers are in for a treat and the pristine waters around the island thrive with salmon, lobster and abalone. On land, try delicious fruit and veg, black truffles and the incredible Leatherwood honey.