Rocky coves, aquamarine lagoons and low prices make us think of

Croatia a decade or so ago. A less obvious holiday choice for
sun-seeking western Europeans, wander through 4000 years of history
in the tiny capital of
Valletta, which is packed with palaces, churches and
museums offering an idyllic snapshot of Europe’s past

Estonia’s capital is the country’s cultural hub, where medieval
architecture and cobbled streets meet contemporary living in the
form of skyscrapers and an emerging food scene. Tick this Eastern
European city off your list before the stag dos arrive –
English-speaking locals, activities such as ziplining over the
Jägala Waterfall and low prices mean it won’t be long.

Steeped in myths and legends as the birthplace of both Hercules’
and the archipelago where Athens fought Sparta,
this mountainous area in southern Greece overflows with relics
from its colourful past, seen in fortresses, temples and palaces
which draw influence from across the Byzantine Empire. The
southerly location means a longer summer season, while the climate
lends itself to the production of some of the country’s best food
and wine. When you’ve had your culture fix, head to the idyllic
pedestrianised island of Spetses for undisturbed beach vibes.

Colombia has been the South American darling of the past few
years and now it’s Chile’s turn, with British Airways’ launch of a
direct flight between London and
Santiago ensuring it’s very much in the spotlight. Stretching
nearly 4,300km from north to south, the country is a land of
extremes, boasting diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. Beyond
the capital, vibrant cities such as Valparaiso offer colourful
cliff-side houses and quirky charm, while the
Atacama Desert for salt plains and starry skies.

As is often the case with places under strict political regimes,
rebellion arrives in the form of creativity. Such is the case in
Moscow,
where a young generation is going against the grain, resulting in
an underground art scene which spills over into nightlife and
fashion. The city is also cleaning up its act in preparation for
the World Cup, with its gilded metro stations set to be restored to
their former glory.

The “Kate and Will effect” of the royal duo visiting for their
honeymoon saw the country jump to the top of many travellers’
wishlists. While many visit Canada for adrenaline-fuelled
adventures through its dramatic landscapes,
Toronto is a cosmopolitan metropolis with an exciting music
scene, and countless bars, clubs and restaurants are popping up all
over town.

An oldie but a goodie,
Buenos Aires’ pretty streets, lively neighbourhoods, top-notch
restaurants and late-night culture never grow old. You may have
been before, but the capital is seeing a return of visitors wanting
to explore beyond tourist attractions and delve deeper into
Argentinian living, while a thriving art scene is reflected in the
arrival of Art Basel. Beyond the capital, Mendoza is the gateway to
the province of the same name – a promised land of bodegas and
gauchos.

Long tarred with the brush of package holidays and all-inclusive
resorts,
Lanzarote’s wild north offers volcanoes, wineries, architecture
and adventure. Dismiss images of high-rise buildings and boozy
Brits; whitewashed houses are scattered across lush landscapes,
attracting a new demographic of open-minded travellers.

This pretty city in south Poland has an effervescent atmosphere
championed by a motivated younger generation resisting the current
government’s conservative grip. A wealth of independent coffee
shops, eclectic bars and innovative concept stores contribute to a
lively scene for a low-cost, high-value
Euro city break.

An established port of call for yachties, this
Atlantic archipelag o is set to be a big-hitter for those
looking for something more than a standard beach break. A
year-round destination overflowing with nature, expect black-sand
beaches, cascading waterfalls, national parks and the chance to
spot whales and dolphins. Faial Island and Flores are two of the
best.

Chances are you’ve visited Berlin – and no
doubt loved it.
Hamburg channels a similarly effortless cool, with late nights,
world-class museums and on-trend locals. There’s a constant sea
breeze, but Germany’s second-largest city lacks any air of
pretension; you’re just as likely to rub shoulders with old sea
dogs as urban creatives in the bars which line the waterfront.

This Le Corbusier-designed city serves as the capital of the
northern states of Punjab and Haryana, and is heralded as an
example of a “perfect” metropolis. Yet India’s wealthiest, happiest
and cleanest city is often overlooked by visitors. If you’ve done
Rajasthan,

this architectural beauty with its
brutalist buildings will give you a different perspective on
the endlessly surprising subcontinent.

Nestled between Veneto,
Tuscany and Lombardy, this
enclave in northern Italy has been little more than a stop-off
between
Florence and Venice.
But its location between the Adriatic Coast and the chilly Alps
with the warm Mediterranean to the south means fertile soil perfect
for growing many of the country’s signature ingredients. Visit for
an under-the-radar summer getaway, or go for truffle season in
autumn.

We’ve been singing the praises of Isla
Holbox for the past year, but this town on the country’s west
coast is our latest Mexican obsession. Popular among surfers since
the 1960s, this laid-back beach bolthole reminds of us of Tulum
before everybody discovered it. Think killer street food, bohemian
bars, independent shops and a relaxed in-the-know crowd.

This
tiny Buddhist kingdom’s

refusal to jump on the globalisation bandwagon has earned it the
title of “the happiest place on earth”. Shunning GDP and
international franchises and only tuning into television in 1999,
it’s also the only carbon-neutral country in the world. Go for a
genuine experience of indigenous culture which is increasingly hard
to find.

Comporta on Portugal’s lesser-visited west coast was one of our
favourite summer destinations of 2017 thanks to beach-shack vibes
reminiscent of an undiscovered Ibiza
or
Jose Ignacio in Uruguay. But the entire
Alentejo region is an untapped paradise of dramatic coastlines,
perfumed citrus groves and charming local restaurants with barely a
tourist in sight – yet.

Somewhat overshadowed by Copenhagen
and
Stockholm, Oslo
looks set to enjoy increased popularity by those looking to
continue riding the Scandi wave elsewhere. A mix of urban cool and
green spaces joins a thriving coffee culture, alongside a stylish
streak championed by a host of
fashion Instagrammers making it the city break for 2018.

Arabic conservatism meets a forward-thinking spirit in this
middle eastern capital. Its close proximity to the
UAE give the country a relatively liberal air, while the
current feeling is one of a desert town coming out of its shell. A
visit to nearby Petra
(dating back to 300 BC) is one of those rare experiences that will
stay with you forever.

While Morocco
is an all-time favourite, Tunisia remains an underrated holiday
destination. An excellent option for a break that combines city and
beach, diverse landscapes take you from Sahara
sands to tree-lined coast. Fabled ruins such as those at the
nearby Carthage are juxtaposed with a progressive government who
are reforming laws to address a gender imbalance against women.
Don’t miss the the UNESCO World Heritage city of Kairouan, while
the jewel has got to be Sidi Bou Said, a blue and white seaside
town and creative hub.

Western Australians have known that their capital is a
little-discovered gem for years, and with Qantas launching direct
flights between London and
Perth from March, soon everyone else will too. Already worth a
stop-over for endless beaches (there are 19 in easy reach) and a
relaxed atmosphere, in recent years Perth has developed a buzzing
art, culture and
festival scene, complemented by a roster of innovative
restaurants and quirky bars that seem to double in number with
every visit.

One for intrepid travellers looking for something different,
Ethiopia’s capital of Addis Ababa is a somewhat overwhelming mix of
frenetic markets, fantastic food set against a backdrop of Orthodox
Christian and Islamic beliefs. The result? A fascinating mishmash
of cultures. Despite a thriving economy, poverty is still very real
and your trip may not be plain sailing, but those who persevere
will be rewarded by a wealth of new experiences encompassing
people, places and things. Head to the Simien
Mountains to unwind, hike and spot wildlife after the madness
of the city.

This
Eastern European capital offers an intelligent city break that
promises to educate as much as entertain. Not so long ago crippled
by civil war, the country has been rebuilding itself at an
impressive speed. A new generation are channelling their energy
into tourism, resulting in a culinary renaissance matched by
unrivalled hospitality. Much like Tbilisi and Moscow, this
relatively newfound freedom is also stirring a cutting-edge
creativity, seen in emerging music and art scenes.

While many return to Barcelona and Madrid time and time again,
Valencia happily lurks in the shadow of its larger counterparts –
and to its advantage, as a city with just as much to offer but
fewer crowds to dodge as a result. With cultural institutions to
rival its competitors, futuristic architecture meets an historic
old quarter. With a stellar restaurant offering – this is the
birthplace of paella, after all – alongside an effervescent
nightlife, this is the Spanish sweetheart to have up your
sleeve.

Sitting at the confluence of East and West, Lebanon’s sprawling
coastal
metropolis is a glorious culture clash, most apparent in its
striking architecture and diverse food scene. Religious
conservatism meets a fashion-forward young crowd and heady
nightlife – which largely escapes the flashiness of Dubai
– making for an interesting Middle Eastern getaway.