Beautiful Belize has been popping up all over our socials of late, its rugged beaches, lush jungles and brilliantly coloured coral reefs making perfect fodder for "wish you were here" BeReals and barefoot-in-the-sand Instagram Reels. Beyond its picture-perfect looks, though, this Central American country hums with age-old traditions and ancient stories. Head inland and you'll find Mayan ruins and sky-tickling mountain ranges. Stick to the coast, and you'll be eating from a cookbook that counts Chinese, Creole, Lebanese, Mennonite and Mestizo among influences. Traversing the dinky country is easy, thanks to the retro fleet of retired Bluebird buses that tootle between towns. Bought from the US, these 1950s beauties are painted in primary colours and used as commuter shuttles between major conurbations in the country. They're the easiest (and coolest) way to get around.

Spain's third-largest city was once considered little more than an industrial hub - but times have changed. Last year, the southeastern city was awarded World Design Capital status, in recognition of its transformation into a creative leader. Head down to the ultra-modern waterfront to catch a piece of the action. This futuristic quarter houses exhibition spaces, a concert hall and an oceanarium, but we'd advise also setting some time aside to enjoy the gardens that fan out around the space-age structures. Once you've gazed at the architecture, head into the old quarter to wander a tangle of gothic streets. Start explorations with a horchata (a traditional sweet drink) at Horchatería Daniel, then settle on a good paella spot, of which there are many - the dish was created here. Our favourite eatery? Bodega Anyora, housed in the old fishing quarter of El Cabanyal, which serves traditional seafood dishes with a modern twist.

It's no wonder that, with a name meaning "hidden port", this corner of southern Mexico is kept under wraps by locals. Quietly preserving its reputation as a secluded escape on Oaxaca's Emerald Coast, Puerto Escondido's secret beaches, with their golden sands and crashing waves, number among the world's best surfing destinations. Those less confident tackling the waves can head for La Punta or Playa Carrizalillo to swim in turquoise waters and sip on freshly cracked coconuts. While there are no direct flights from outside of Mexico, those willing to make the trip will be welcomed with some of Oaxaca's best cuisine. Be sure to make a trip to Laguna de Manialtepec, a bioluminescent lagoon nearby. Summer is the rainy season, while Christmas and Easter holidays can be a bit busier. Visit between January and May to have Puerto Escondido all to yourself.

This small town, located between Yellowstone National Park and the jagged peaks of the Grand Tetons, isn't just for cowboys. With the best of the great outdoors on its doorstep, including hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, paddling, fishing and wildlife spotting, and a mighty cultural offering - you'll spot a Warhol at the National Museum of Wildlife Art - plus a renowned dining scene, this town is a real crowd-pleaser. We suggest making tracks for the luxurious Rustic Inn, home to a full-service spa, outdoor pool, hot tub and sauna.

One of South America's smallest countries, Guyana remains something of a well-kept secret. But, as the continent's only English-speaking country, complete with vast coastal plains, towering mountains, arid savannahs and expansive rainforests, the country's immense diversity will delight those seeking a nature-filled retreat. If it's culture you're looking for, visit Georgetown to immerse yourself in a toe-tapping music scene, colourful architecture and vibrant culinary hotspots. Alternatively, head inland to explore "The Land of Many Waters" - think cascading waterfalls and vast rivers streaming through verdant landscapes. Come in February for the Mashramani festival, Guyana's anniversary of becoming a republic, when parades float down streets, dancers strut through the neighbourhood and steel drum bands play until sundown.

The South of France is loved for many reasons, its glittering coastline, rolling lavender fields and world-class wine being just a few of them. But, having been made popular by writers, artists and celebrities, many of its stretches of golden sand have become somewhat overcrowded. We suggest skipping the tourist-swamped Nice and St Tropez and, instead, savouring a slice of traditional French culture in the delightful harbour town of Menton. Craving some vitamin D? This place is perfectly positioned within a valley, which makes for a pretty unique microclimate. Expect mild temperatures even in winter and tropical blooms year-round, along with lush citrus trees and olive groves aplenty. Be sure to taste your way through the area's delicious culinary specialities, which include hearty bouillabaisse and fluffy lemon desserts (this being the centre of France's lemon industry).

Seen the sights of Geneva and Zurich? Head to Aarau, a tiny town in the north of Switzerland that's packed with a surprisingly large number of castles and museums. Art lovers won't want to miss the Aargauer Kunsthaus museum. Those who prefer to discover a destination through its architecture should take a stroll through the old town, looking up to spot the intricate gables, the majority of which date back to the 16th century. A pair of binoculars wouldn't go amiss here.

Prepare to sink a soju (or three) in Andong. The birthplace of Korea's famous firewater isn't afraid of its mind-bending hooch. Beyond the booze, there's plenty more to explore in this eastern city. Andong is the country's folk capital, so a night inside a traditional, 600-year-old home in the Unesco-listed Hahoe Folk Village is top of our list. Then, there's the city's mask museum, a temple to traditional talchum storytelling. After ogling the expressive wooden masks used during the dances, we're stopping in on the Folk Museum to learn about the ins and outs of the city's Confucian culture, and to gawp at elegant porcelain pottery and traditionally made paper crafts. Learn the story behind soju at the dedicated museum (spoiler: invading Mongols are involved), or, if you're feeling a bit queasy at the 40 per cent ABV of the chest-warming spirit, take a seat at the Andong Brewing bar, a craft beer pit stop pouring creatively flavoured pints.

An 1880s water stop, this unassuming small city in the Chihuahuan Desert hit the headlines when artist Donald Judd moved here in 1971. Today, Marfa is a place of gas stations-turned-galleries, crystal-filled corner shops and laundromats serving lattes. For breakfast, grab a bite at Aster Marfa - the eggs benedict is legendary. Tour The Chinati Foundation's outdoor and indoor art installations - at sunrise is best - before driving along Highway 90 for Scandinavian duo Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset's famed Prada Marfa installation.

If you're looking to unwind after the headiness of Marrakech's sense-awakening souks, journey north to Meknes, a city just south of Fez that's known for its imperial past and traditional spice market. The old town, a Unesco World Heritage site, has been impeccably preserved, so a day getting lost in the medina's endless warren of small streets is time well spent. Be sure to stop at Bab Mansour, a breathtaking monumental gate on the south side of the old city, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, at the 17th-century sultan's former kasbah, before bedding down at boutique bolthole Château Roslane.

As far-flung Southeast Asian islands go, Rabbit Island (as it's more commonly known) is one of the more easily accessible options, being just a 30-minute boat ride from Kep, but its rugged charm and rustic lifestyle remain unspoilt. Days here are best spent alternating between lounging in hammocks and dozing on soft sands (just don't be alarmed if the odd chicken wanders past), before scoffing fisherman's fare in restaurant shacks along the shore. Evenings are for swapping travellers' tales or, more commonly at weekends, warming up the vocals and blaring out ear-splitting renditions of cult favourites from a pop-up karaoke bar to a bemused local crowd.

Just a 45-minute flight from Athens (or around an hour on the ferry from Piraeus, the capital's main port), Hydra has long been a haven for the art crowd, being home to the Hydra School of Fine Arts. This car-free island offers rugged cliffs, stone-grey mansions, wandering donkeys and steep steps that lead up into isolated, quaint towns clinging to craggy hillsides. There are no large-scale hotels; only small, bohemian stays and cute cafés inviting you in for a glass of perfectly chilled rosé.

Home to more than just Romeo and Juliet, Verona is undeniably one of the most romantic of Italy's cities. Ramble across one of the seven bridges that span the Adige River, visit the oldest still-operating library in Europe, Biblioteca Capitolare, and catch an opera at the intimate Teatro Filarmonico. If you're planning to visit for longer, consider volunteering with the Juliet Club, a quaint institution that sees an army of letter writers sending love advice to heartbroken correspondents from across the globe.

Side-step the Aussie-accented crowds in Bali with a visit to Belitung. One of thousands of islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago, this diminutive destination, just off the east coast of Sumatra, promises honey-hued sands strewn with sea-washed granite boulders, colourful Dutch colonial-built seaside towns and not a nightclub in sight. Drop your bags at the sustainability-focused Eco Beach Tent, then hop on a boat to explore the more than 100 surrounding islets. Set sail for Lengkuas to spy a 141-year-old lighthouse, slip into the sea to snorkel between coral reefs and hike up the granite face of Batu Baginda, accompanied by chattering monkeys and rowdy cicadas. Note that the forested geopark surrounding this incredible rock formation is currently under regeneration. Much of the island has been scarified by palm plantations, but a Unesco designation in 2021 is raising hopes that Belitung's unique geological features can be preserved and protected.

There's something of a foodie renaissance cooking in London's Notting Hill: Palestinian kitchens plating up slow-cooked lamb and herb-drenched kufta; French bistros offering freshly baked sourdough and forkfuls of creamed greens; and neighbourhood eateries putting a devilishly delicious spin on British classics. Post-feast, rummage the shelves of Alice's antiques arcade, where treasures including stoneware, street signs, musical instruments and life buoys await. Then, drop into the recently renovated old-school boozer The Pelican for a sustainable and local bottle menu. Come bedtime, all eyes are on the newly opened Hoxton hotel, in nearby Shepherd's Bush.

One of only a handful of Andaman Islands to be inhabited, this dreamy destination is known for its warm hospitality and unspoilt landscape: think dense forests, tropical rainforests and active volcanoes that flank pristine blonde beaches stretching alongside the azure-blue shore as far as the eye can see. Forget about trying to find a WiFi signal and instead spend days flitting between palm-flanked coves. Radhanagar Beach (also known as Number Seven Beach) is our favourite, thanks to a cluster of nearby street-food stalls selling fresh fruits and smoothies. Elephant Beach, meanwhile, with its vibrant corals and colourful fish, is best suited to snorkellers - but it's pretty wonderful above the waterline, too. Arrive at sunrise to watch elephants gleefully splashing in the shallows, and keep your eyes peeled for Rajan, the eldest, who recently celebrated his 70th birthday.

Ready to explore one of the best ski destinations on the planet but unsure which Japanese resort to make tracks to? Look no further than the town of Niseko. A well-established Japanese ski hotspot, thanks to its 30 runs, 3 gondolas and 30 lifts, plus guaranteed snowfall, it is being discovered by a new generation of skiers, largely due to the arrival of the sparkling new Setsu Niseko hotel. The 2022-opened stay's 190 guest rooms impress with their Japandi-style interiors - all crisp linens, clean lines and pale woods. But it's the spa that truly makes it a crashpad like no other, with treatments including herbal healing practices and full-body programmes that promise to soothe post-piste muscles.