Hidden gems

From World Heritage rainforest to sparkling beaches, the Byron Bay region on the NSW North Coast is full of natural wonders. The Aboriginal Arakwal people call it Cavvanbah - the meeting place. The area is also famous for its surf culture, alternative philosophies, organic food and outdoor adventures. Byron Bay's natural attractions are impeccable - humpback whales cruise past the headland, dolphins frolic in the bay and storms create rainbows on the mountains. People from all walks of life meet here, drawn by Byron Bay's vibrant energy.

The Basque city of Bilbao is a spellbinding capital of design and gastronomy. With one of the world’s finest buildings - the Guggenheim - at its heart, Bilbao dazzles with style and energy and boasts a unique identity and still speaks Europe’s oldest and most enigmatic language.

Destination Cap d'Agde Mediterranean Cape of Agde Mediterranean Alliance between land and sea Cap of Agde Mediterranean is located In the south of France, in Occitania, a region that enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year; everyone agrees that it is a great holiday destination. It is made up of 3 complimentary seaside resorts:Cape of Agde, Vias and Portiragnes, with fine sand and volcanic beaches, beaches bordered by pine forests, and an authentic hinterland with towns and villages with a well kep heritage, with living tradtions and varied arts and crafts professions. Featuring Pézenas, the town of Molière, Agde, the Ancient Phocaean trading post or Montagnac, the great mediaeval fair town. The Canal du Midi is the backbone of the Cap d'Agde Mediterranean passing through it from one end to the other. There are so many entertainment and cultural events on offer that you’ll keep wanting to come back throughout the year. It also offers 20km of coastline, partly wild and partly developed fine sandy beaches, a natural environment made up of parks, pine forests, closely protected marine areas, historical monuments, astonishing heritage, top quality sporting facilities and is a permanent whirl of activity.

6 500 islands in the middle of the Baltic Sea. A unique destination, an island string of pearls stretching between the big cities, an archipelago between Stockholm and Turku, within easy reach from Helsinki and Tallinn. On the Åland Islands, the sea is never far away. They boast 17,000 km of shoreline, a pleasant maritime climate and the highest number of sunshine hours in Scandinavia. Experience the charm of this island country, the red granite cliffs, nature and tranquillity.

Bergerac, in the heart of the Périgord Dordogne region, is an ancient and compact city, characterised by its elegant medieval and Renaissance buildings. Gourmet restaurants, street entertainment and the fact that the whole city can be explored on foot are all part of its charm. Bergerac is renowned for its wine, and a short trip to the outskirts of the city reveals a landscape of vineyards that produce some of the world’s finest vintages.

Brindisi is a city in the region of Apulia in southern Italy, located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It represents the gateway to its namesake Italian province packed with relics of vanished civilisations. Its cultural inheritance ranges from the remains of ancient Roman highways to Gothic and Baroque churches, cathedrals, frowning battlements of Swabian castles and fortresses dating back to the 13th-century Reign of the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II.

With the aptly chosen slogan of the world’s 'smallest big city', Aarhus is petite enough for one to be acquainted with the place in a short time, yet large enough to fill the days and nights with lively activities and events. The mixture of youthful optimism and creativity, together with the city’s good old-fashioned cosiness, create a unique atmosphere making a visit to Aarhus a pleasant and uplifting experience.

The narrow and often steep granite-paved streets of Cagliari’s Castello District suggest a bygone age when the town was dominated at first by Pisans, and later by the Aragonese. Built from white limestone, the walls and towers of the old town shimmer in the sun and are a magnificent sight, especially if you are lucky and approach the city from the sea, like the English novelist, D.H. Lawrence, did in 1921, when he described the old town as looking like a "Jerusalem without trees."