Hidden gems

The butterfly-shaped islands of Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory in the Lesser Antilles, are one of the Caribbean's best-kept secrets. Travelers in-the-know have caught on and begun visiting these mezmerizing islands and the city of Pointe-a-Pitre in order to enjoy the fascinating mix of French tradition and Creole culture, the overwhelming natural beauty found in the lush rainforests and awe-inspiring beaches and the relative scarcity of tourists. With a burgeoning hotel infrastructure and an important cruise port welcoming seafarers, there has never been a better time to visit.

Chisinau appears to have little to no concern for the superficial – still very much rough around the edges and with scant tourist infrastructure, the Moldovan capital conquers with precisely its uncharted quality, an authenticity guaranteed to make off-the-beaten-path aficionados' and Soviet era enthusiasts' hearts flutter with excitement. The country's genuinely welcoming populace, free-flowing wine and overtly low travel costs all ensure its relatively obscure status isn't long to stay.

Situated picturesquely on the River Foyle, surrounded by hills and a stone’s throw away from the rugged Northern Coast, Derry is a city steeped in history. The famous Free Derry Corner and the murals of the Bogside and Fountain areas serve as reminders of Derry's tumultuous political past turned mindful present epitomised in the "Hands Across the Divide" monument. Today, 20 years after Bloody Sunday, the 2013 UK City of Culture has a lot to offer visitors in the way of art, culture, gastronomy and entertainment.

Edged by mountain ranges, Canberra is a planned city built on vast limestone. Canberra is Australia’s national capital – seat of the Federal parliament and home to many institutions and national monuments. Four distinct seasons add to its charm and visitors quickly discover that it really is Australia’s hidden gem. The surrounding countryside contains historic and picturesque rural villages and a burgeoning cool-climate wine industry.

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.

Situated amidst the 74 Whitsunday Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island offers an experience like no other: glorious weather, azure waters, brilliant beaches, wondrous coral reefs, unique flora and fauna, divine food and wines, and a buzzing calendar of special events. With its laid-back luxury and activities almost too numerous to mention, Hamilton is the next island in the Great Barrier Reef you should visit.

In the Alpine foothills, just 50 km from Milan, Bergamo is the most striking city in Lombardy. Structured in two levels, the lower city is more modern and dynamic, whilst the famous ‘upper city’ boasts a stunning historic centre full of monuments and works of art. In the area around the city the Iseo Lake is well worth a visit, as is the sanctuary at Caravaggio and Crespi d’Adda – the most important company town in Italy, listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Bratislava - the little big city. With fewer than half a million people, Bratislava ranks among Europe's most relaxed capitals, because everything is in close vicinity, reachable within a few minutes walking distance. It even has two capital cities nearby - Vienna (80km) and Budapest (200km) - reachable also by a boat on the river Danube. The city itself has its old-town charm, sophisticated restaurants, traditional pubs, good music ranging from jazz to opera, stylish people, and a human scale which means that as a visitor you will not spend half your day trekking in and out of underground stations or getting from the airport into town. All this with Central Europe's greatest river as a backdrop.