Waterford City, the oldest city in Ireland, is the perfect blend of ancient and modern. Its collection of pubs, gourmet restaurants and excellent shops and boutiques, co-exist with medieval city walls, quaintly cobbled back streets and the grandeur of historic buildings still standing proud after more than a thousand years. Waterford’s picturesque coastline, stretching the length of the county, is dotted with a string of lively towns including Tramore, Dunmore East and Dungarvan. Other coastal villages include Passage East, Stradbally and Ring, the centre of a thriving Irish speaking community.

Xi'an, once called Chang'an, the City of Long-lasting Peace, tops the list of China's six ancient cities. The world-renowned ancient Silk Road starts here. To stand on this land is to be on the very soil where merchants from empires long relegated to the annals of history once moved, and many facets of its past as a trading post still live on in various forms. The variety of folk handicrafts that greets the visitor is bewildering. Just outside the city is the steepest mountain in the world, Hua Mountain. Here is where the pre-historic Lantian man was found, proving that human existence here dates back 500,000 years. With all this heritage behind it, Xi'an stands proud even in the face of its modernization, a spectacular testament of the magnificent legacy the Chinese are so proud of.

Växjö is the very heart of southeast Sweden – in the middle of Småland, in the middle of southern Sweden. There is a lot to see, experience and do here – unique shops and world-class restaurants. A thriving culture and art programme, an intimate café culture and several award-winning culinary eating-houses. If you would like to experience genuine Småland nature, take one of the many cycle and footpaths straight out into the forests! A kingdom of crystal is just around the corner, as is the kingdom of furniture. Welcome!

Valladolid oozes history from every ancient stone. King Felipe II was born here, the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabel married here and Christopher Columbus died here. This was once the capital of Spain, but although it has lost this title, it is still now the principal city of Castilla y Leon, the land of castles from which the word ‘Castilian’ derives. Today, Valladolid is a bustling university city that thrives on its manufacturing industries. It is a down-to-earth, lively place that energetically blends old with new.