The petite island of Madeira (seriously, it's just 57km long and 22km wide) has been kept under wraps by locals. With a subtropical Mediterranean climate, lush vegetation and world-famous wine, we can hardly blame them for wanting to keep this Portuguese paradise to themselves. Explored Porto and Lisbon? Make Madeira's laid-back and low-key capital, Funchal, next on your travel wish list. The city draws crowds for its contagiously chic charm, so settle in and soak it all up. For tapas on tap, be sure to reserve a seafront table at Avista.

Where to stay: Quinta da Casa Branca

Swerve Egypt's tourist traps and head to this lesser-trodden fishing village instead. Situated 80km north-east of the popular Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab is made up of three parts: Masbat, Medina and Mashraba. Picture whitewashed houses surrounded by enormous palm trees and a shoreline fringed by waterfront restaurants. The area's main attraction is its famed Blue Lagoon, which is known for its unbeatable windsurfing conditions. Thrill-seekers won't want to miss the Dahab International Festival of Water Sports - an annual event during which diving, kite and wind enthusiasts take to the water to showcase their skills.

Where to stay: Alf Leila Boutique Hotel

Leave the selfie-obsessed influencers in Santorini and head to the sleepy islet of Aegina instead, located just 26km south of Athens. Arriving here, you'd be forgiven for feeling like you've teleported to a scene from ancient Greece. Fishermen huddle around the port, heaving their daily catch, while easygoing locals make a morning pilgrimage to the nearest bakery for a feta- or tahini-based pastry. We recommend visiting on a weekend, when you'll find a boho crowd flocking to the isle's sandy beaches and dancing until sunrise at its vibrant beach bars. Insider tip: the only way to get to Aegina is via a 75-minute ferry ride from Athens' main port, Piraeus.

Where to stay: LaLiBay Resort & Spa

Nicknamed "The City with Eyes" for its optical-effect window frames, Sibiu is brimming with creative energy. From its rust-coloured roofs to its happy mishmash of houses painted in shades of marigold and lime, this place offers the same brand of magic as its eastern European neighbours Budapest, Krakow and Prague - minus the crowds. Traces of the city's trading past can be found in its many boutiques and ceramics stores. Visit between June and September, when the stillness of the cobblestoned squares makes way for the convivial sounds of jazz bands and buskers.

Where to stay: Artisans Boutique Villa

Bergen has all the ingredients for an idyllic go-slow city break: seven hikeable mountains and sparkling fjords, myriad museums and galleries and enough flavourful food markets to have earned it Unesco City of Gastronomy status. Accolades aside, its unique mountain-hugging location on Norway's west coast is about as spectacular a position as you'll find anywhere. Check out the medieval harbourfront, Bryggen, where the city's famous fish market has been delivering the goods since 1276.

Where to stay: Bergen Børs Hotel

Searching for sun, sand and sea? Jordan is home to all three. While the country is best known for its desert, if you skip past the sandy dunes, you'll find its lone coastal city, Aqaba. Days should be spent exploring the colourful souks, million-year-old sandstone mountains at Wadi Rum and renowned Red Sea diving scene. This is a destination for those who prefer a big hit of vitamin D with their culture.

Where to stay: BAITY Boutique Hotel