A well-established favourite among foodies and flamenco fans,
Seville is a delightful destination. Mudéjar palaces and baroque
churches await down winding medieval lanes that are shaded from the
midday heat by leafy citrus trees. After working up an appetite,
head to the Moorish capital’s historic centre to discover Seville’s
robust gastronomic offering. Tapas is best enjoyed in a crowded bar
and, according to young locals, La Brunilda
Tapas is the place to make a beeline for. When you’ve conquered
the sights, take off on a day trip to the ancient Andalusian city
of Córdoba.

Rennes, the storybook-like capital of Brittany, charms with its
cobbled alleys and sprawling gardens, while its many cafés,
boutiques and landmarks ensure visitors won’t get bored. Almost
entirely rebuilt following a fire in 1720, the city is home to a
dizzying blend of historic half-timbered houses and acclaimed
avant-garde architecture, showcasing the creative spirit that flows
through its street art-stamped streets. Pick up a buckwheat galette
– a pancake-like local speciality that comes in countless sweet and
savoury combinations – stroll along the banks of the River Vilaine,
which sweeps through the city centre, then finish your day among
the Picassos, Gauguins and Gaudís at the Musée des
Beaux-Arts.

Monsaraz is a medieval hillside village in the back-to-nature
Alentejo region. It overlooks the vast Alqueva dam and reservoir
(one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe’s), with views
stretching all the way to the Spanish border. Expect whitewashed
buildings and quiet cobbled streets, traditional potters and
traditional textile producers. All roads lead up the hill to
Monsaraz Castle. This being one of Portugal’s most important
agricultural regions, the surrounding landscape is home to
vineyards, olive groves and farmland. A small population means low
levels of light pollution, which has led to a recent designation as
a Dark Sky Reserve, so get out the binoculars come nightfall. For
the best beaches, head to Costa Vicentina.

Bond fans will no doubt recognise Matera from its starring role
in No Time to Die – for others, kindly let us introduce you to one
of Italy’s most magical ancient sites. Situated in the country’s
south, this hilltop city is seemingly cut into two by the sparkling
Gravina River. With its clusters of limestone-cave villas in the
Sassi area, winding dirt-track roads and great swathes of verdant
terrain, the Unesco World Heritage site has, unsurprisingly, become
a popular big-screen backdrop. To make the most of its rugged
landscape, base yourself at Le Grotte della Civita, where you can
bed down in a centuries-old cave.

While island-hopping in Southeast Asia remains a common gap-year
pastime, Phu Quoc has remained relatively undisturbed by
overexcited teens. Arrange a hike through the tropical greenery of
the national park, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, to look for rare
species such as silvery langurs and brightly coloured hornbills.
Meander down to Duong Dong Market to taste your way around food
stalls selling everything from freshly caught seafood to zingy
tropical fruit juices. In the afternoon, head to Dinh Cau Rock – a
temple perched atop a collection of boulders at the mouth of the
Duong Dong River. Hop over 29 stone steps to reach this Buddhist
shrine, built in 1937 to honour Thien Hau, the goddess of the
sea.

If you’ve ever wondered where hip history buffs holiday, this is
it. Located in the north-west of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mérida sits
just 35km off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, its centuries-old
architecture speaking of its rich heritage. Today, some refer to
Mérida as “the White City”, due to its limestone buildings, though
many of their facades are painted in arresting shades of marigold,
fuchsia and cobalt. Spend the day flitting between hammock and
gin-clear waters, before snagging a chair at Pizzeria Raffaello,
where plates come piled high with sublime slices cooked in a
wood-fired oven.

Orchards unfurl across meadows threaded by the River Brue; lanes
flanked by hedgerows overflowing with cow parsley give way to
narrow streets lined with hamstone cottages and medieval churches.
As locations go, it’s an unassuming spot for a cosmopolitan enclave
of bon vivants. Tucked between Yeovil and Frome, with a population
that hovers around 3,000 and a social life that hugs a single
street, this South Somerset bolthole proves that good things come
in small packages. Since the internationally renowned Hauser &
Wirth gallery opened here in 2014, Bruton has enjoyed a flourish of popularity. Today, it
punches far above its featherweight when it comes to world-class
contemporary art, design-driven boutique hotels, sustainable
farm-to-table restaurants and idiosyncratic shops that have earned
it cult status among those in the know.

Although its remote location at the very tip of Long Island has
earned it the ominous moniker “The End”, Montauk has much to offer
the active traveller. With six sprawling state parks, more than
2,000 hectares of pristine beaches and some of the best seafood in
the US, this is a must-visit destination for lovers of the great
outdoors. Rise with the sun and head to a sandy cove to join local
surfers catching the early-morning waves – Turtle Cove is our
favourite spot. Spend afternoons exploring farmers’ markets or
hiking through Montauk Point State Park. By October, the summer
crowds have returned to the Big Apple, while the weather remains
warm and sunny.

Known as the “hidden heart of Europe”, Brno is garnering
well-deserved recognition as a charming city-break destination.
Mornings are best spent eating pastries and sipping coffee in
Náměstí Svobody, the city’s main square, where locals gather
beneath traditional Czech townhouses for a chitchat. Stroll around
Brno’s centre, with its cosy cafés sandwiched between towering
cathedrals and crumbling churches, then, come evening, slip down
side streets to find intimate wine bars hidden inside modernist
Czech architecture. In autumn, the parks fill with colour – October
is when the Moravian Autumn Festival takes place, along with the
Exposition of New Music, which showcases
performances by orchestras from across Europe.

Pennsylvania’s second-largest metropolis (after Philadelphia) is
quickly stealing the state’s spotlight – and it’s easy to see why.
Pittsburgh is dusting off its rust-belt reputation and undergoing a
post-industrial revival. Local icons such as the Senator John
Heinz History Centre, The Carnegie Museums of Art and The Frick
Pittsburgh remain, but they’ve now been joined by a generation
of creatives intent on pushing the boundaries of the city’s food,
tech and cultural scenes. Consult the city’s packed calendar when
booking your trip – the Three Rivers Arts Festival is a summertime
favourite, while the surrounding hills are prime leaf-peeping
territory in October.

India’s largest state, Rajasthan accounts for 10 per cent of the
country’s total area. Between the rose-hued streets of Jaipur, the ethereal Narlai village and Jawai’s
sprawling hills is a romantic settlement of epic sandcastle forts,
crumbling havelis and wild desert scenery: welcome to “the Golden
City”, aka Jaisalmer. Found on the westernmost edge of
Rajasthan, this dusty, dazzling destination is known for its
coral-coloured architecture, vibrant bazaars and a looming fort
that seemingly springs straight from the sandy plains. Behind the
jungle of sandstone buildings is a labyrinth of narrow passageways
lined by Jain temples, gorgeous guesthouses, fragrant restaurants
and boutiques swathed in colourful textiles. Buckle up your sandals
and prepare to explore the abundance of cultures and traditions
found in Jaisalmer’s sun-bleached streets for yourself.

In the western part of Mexico’s Guerrero state, the once go-slow
fishing village of Zihuatanejo has recently seen a creative and
vibrant energy trickle through its streets. Backed by the Sierra
Madre del Sur mountains, pockets of subtropical shrubs and snaking
vines contrast with white-sand beaches and rocky coves, while,
along the coastline, a slew of rooftop bars, colourful market
stalls and hammock-fringed restaurants have started cropping up.
This is a place to join locals catching a wave, before rubbing
shoulders with a free-spirited bunch in one of the town’s edgy
eateries. Ready for bed? You’ll be spoilt for choice: Zihuatanejo
is home to some of the most sublime botlholes we’ve ever seen.

Nestled in the Attica region of Greece, the sleepy isle of Spetses sways to a slower beat than that of its
Sarconic siblings. Think secluded coves flanked by tangled olive
groves, sprawling pine and citrus trees, warm-hued passageways
peppered with whitewashed villas and old-school tavernas, and a
local community that takes huge pride in its culture
and traditions. Just 27km in length, and having only one dusty main
road leading into town, this is an island best explored on two
wheels – visitors are banned from bringing cars. We suggest getting
your hands on a bicycle and swinging by the Psaragora, the daily
fish market, to pick up the catch of the day to cook for lunch.
After that, head for a splash in the crystal-clear waters of Agia
Marina’s beach, before taking a scenic stomp along the seafront
from Kounoupitsa village to the old harbour, Palio Limani.

In recent years, Riga, Latvia’s capital and largest city, has
fast become a go-to destination for design lovers looking for a
long-weekend getaway. Its colourful streetscape seamlessly blends
old and new, with graceful, art nouveau buildings sitting alongside
cutting-edge feats of contemporary engineering. Slotted on the Gulf
of Riga, bordered by the Baltic Sea, the small, verdant, art-filled
city is known for its manicured gardens, secret beaches and
dystopian Soviet ruins, and is home to a proud and fiercely
creative community. Visitors won’t have to search very hard for
evidence of this being a place that constantly looks to the future
while honouring and respecting its past: from a master mixologist
conjuring up magic behind a sophisticated bar to a sublime seasonal
brunch menu worth setting the alarm for, inspiration is all
around.

Kissing the border of Greece and separated from sun-baked Puglia by a slither of water, the craggy
coastline of Albania is fast becoming a favourite destination among
serenity-seeking travellers. Blessed with tranquil shores and
rugged cliffs, plus a striking display of autumn leaves at this
time of year, the region offers plenty of pretty towns to explore.
Our choice? The sleepy and stunning Ksamil. Sitting pretty on the country’s
southern tip, the town’s white-sand beaches, azure waters and hip
hangouts rival those of many better-known Ionian hotspots, at just
a fraction of the price – and minus the crowds. Spend October days
rambling around ancient ruins, dancing beneath bamboo-clad beach
shacks and feasting in ridiculously cool restaurants.

Located in the Silesia region of southwestern Poland, the
handsome city of Wrocław is home to 12 islands,130 bridges and a
population of around 670,000. With a history dating back to the
10th century, its streets are notable for an unusual blend of
architectural influences, including Hungarian, Prussian-German and
Austrian. The perfect day? Begin with a stroll through the vibrant
passageways of the Old Town to the marvellous Market Square, where
you’ll find plenty of artisan coffee houses at which to grab a cup
of joe and watch the world go by – our favourite is OTO
Coffee Bar. Wander past Flemish-style villas and baroque
palaces, before carving out some time to visit the National Forum of
Music, Architecture Museum and Polish art-filled Four Domes Pavilion.

One road. One pub. One distillery. It’s a holy trinity that
serves this tiny island’s tight-knit community well. Part of the
Inner Hebrides, Jura is one of the wildest corners of Scotland,
with its 200 inhabitants outnumbered by 5,000 wild deer. As for its
whisky, many believe it’s the best in the world. Make one of Black
Tomato’s ultra-luxe Blink glamping pods your base, where activities
on offer include RIB trips to the whirlpools of Corryvreckan – and
the chance to spot sea eagles, porpoises, dolphins and seals.

The Bavarian capital may be the grand old duke of Germany’s cities, but don’t let the
lederhosen-wearing gentlemen ambling through its streets give you
the wrong impression: there’s much more to Munich than felted hats and leather shorts.
Positioned in the country’s most southern (and conservative) state,
this dynamic destination looks to its alpine neighbours for
inspiration on city living, giving it the well-worn moniker of
“Italy’s most northern city”. Visit in autumn to
join residents flooding beer gardens, setting aside some time to
hop on the well-run train system to reach the glistening waters of
the lakes that ring the city.