The region that gave its name to the bubbly wine is a fantastic part of France to explore. Only an hour from Paris, Champagne has lip-smacking wine trails that weave through picturesque countryside and villages, and best of all, dozens of tipples to sample - from the palatial home of Moët & Chandon to friendly family outfits operating out of little more than a shed.

Columbia is a country of contrasts in many different aspects and Cartagena is one of these places that adds to it. Located on the Caribbean side of the country, it is classified as a port city, however, it is a popular beach destination. Places like Isla de Barú and Islas del Rosario – reachable by boat, are well known for their white-sand beaches, palm trees and coral reefs.  Look deeper though, and you will find a place rich in culture and a pleasure to explore.

It's impossible to understand Andalucía as is it today without considering the Moorish era that spanned more than seven centuries. Cordoba, Seville and Granada are three cities where the charm of Al-Andalus meets that of modern Andalusian culture.

Her Majesty’s official residence may be London’s Buckenham Palace, but Queen Elizabeth II has long called Windsor home, less than an hour from London is one of England’s great Royal castles.  So, in addition to seeing Buckenham Palace why not spend the day poking around Windsor and the neighbouring town of Eton.

Dreaming of meeting kangaroos, koalas and platypuses? There are a ton of reasons why a road trip through the temperate state of Victoria is the best way to achieve your Aussie wildlife goals. Here are two of them. First, you get to start from the very  cool state capital of Melbourne. It's an arty, photogenic city famous for its food scene, cultural credibility and laneways of pint-sized bars, boutiques and galleries.

Few islands can rival Corsica for its magical mix of culture and natural beauty. Like a tiny continent, the island is both elegant and rugged at the same time, with a challenging interior of mountains and forests, and a glorious Mediterranean coastline fringed with white sand beaches.  This distinct terrain supports a huge variety of things to do, making Corsica a perfect choice for a holiday that delivers above and beyond, while the succession of rulers from the Greeks to the Genovese has ensured that local culture is unique.

You've probably got a mental picture of California. Maybe it's rows of palm trees against a perfect, azure sky. Maybe it's the Hollywood sign, Mullholland Drive twisting into the night above a million twinkling lights, the mansions of Beverly Hills. Maybe it's the Golden Gate Bridge, the precipitous streets of San Francisco, the vast, glittering Pacific Ocean. These things are all California icons, and you should definitely go and see them, but there's a lot more in between that you miss while cruising at 35,000 feet. California is huge and varied: dramatic mountains, sun-baked vineyards, blissful beaches. To really get to know the Golden State, you need to be in a car. Forget internal flights with their dull check-ins and romance-free shuttle buses, and get behind the wheel. Here are three great road trips that we suggest.

Dundee has come a long way. The city on Scotland's east coast has been named one of Lonely Planet's top ten European destinations.  It is now on the same list as Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, Cantabria in northern Spain and chic Provence in France.  This is due in part to the city's blossoming status as a cultural centre - the beacon of which is down to the new V&A Dundee museum with its Kengo Kuma design inspired by the cliffs of Scotland. The V&A is cited as an international centre for design, discovery and education.

Waterfront walks

'We are now in the worse part of Picardy,' said my guide. I looked around at the rather pretty landscape, bewildered as to why a tourist officer for the area should have such a low opinion of it. then my brain caught up with my ears and I realised: we had just entered L'Oise.

Despite being in the Sonoran Desert, southern Arizona is far from barren. It’s home to around 5 million cacti, and while you’ll want to avoid the fuzzy jumping cholla, which attaches itself to you at the slightest touch, the majestic saguaros can grow up to 40ft and live for 250 years.  Join a sunrise hike up Camelback Mountain outside Scottsdale, which takes about three hours. As well as taking in the incredible vistas at the 2,700ft-high summit, there’s an almost needle-less saguaro you can hug on your way down.