
Cagliari
Sardinia
It's no secret that some hotspots are better visited outside of peak season: step forward, Cagliari. Drawing in a huge summer crowd for its postcard-pretty beaches, the city falls off the tourist radar come winter. But, with its slower pace of life and milder temperatures than most of the rest of Europe, there's a lot more to this destination than sunbathing. Stroll through the narrow stone streets of the historic quarter, checking off some of the city's impressive archaeological sites (including its Roman theatre) along the way, then either hightail it to one of the prime vantage points from which to catch a wintry sunset, or make a beeline for the bustling Christmas markets.
Where to stay: Hotel Mira Mare