City Breaks

Paris - or the City of Light as it is known - has a reputation for being one of the most romantic and beautiful destinations in the world. And it would be hard to disagree as you wander the whimsical bridges of Canal Saint-Martin or gawk at the glittery Champs-Elysees from the top of the iconic Arc de Triomphe...

Sheltered by mountains of red sandstone, surrounded by the Negev Desert to the north and bordered by the Red Sea to the south, the Israeli city of Eilat is enviably placed. "Eilat is unique," says Ben Julius, founder of Tourist Israel, an online travel organisation that helps visitor plan their explorations of the country.

Goodness knows what the people of Salzburg made of my family and I careering round their city on bikes, singing Edelweiss at the tops of our voices. But Salzburg is intrinsically linked with The Sound Of Music and The Fraulein Maria bike tour is possibly the most memorable way to immerse yourself in it. To be honest, it wasn't really music and we didn't quite make it up into the hills, but the streets were definitely alive with the sound of our hollering.

Morocco's cities are impossibly exotic. North African culture bumps up against all the quirks and traditions of the Middle East, leaving travellers caught up in haggling sessions for carpets, tripping over snake charmers' baskets, drinking scalding mint tea or getting lost in dark, maze-like souks. From the capital to the coast, there's plenty to discover in the urban hubs across the country. Here's our pick of the top spots to see.

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.

Whether you’re visiting on a 72-hour stopover or for a week in the year-round Arabian sun, the Qatari capital of Doha is the perfect place to discover vibrant culture and effortless luxury all in one place.  Whether you’re the kind of traveller who wants to dive deep into the culture of a new country, or you just fancy kicking back for a couple of days at the beginning or end of a longer break, Qatar has it all.

Have you ever touched a meteorite? Protected the earth against supernatural life? Or made a bicycle trip through the galaxy? You can experience all of these things at the NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam: the only museum in the world where you are allowed to touch everything!

Experiencing science at its fullest: that is what NEMO is about. The massive seablue building, which is just a stone’s throw from the bustling city centre Amsterdam and its striking train station, houses some of the world’s most fascinating exhibitions on modern-day science.

With a world dominated by social media, busy trains and crammed coffee shops, the idea of ‘getting away from it all’ seems so unlikely sometimes. But while the planet seems ever closer and more connected, there’s one last real wilderness out there to escape to.  With 8,000 miles of coastline, Western Australia accounts for almost half the continent. If it were a nation in itself, it would be the world’s tenth largest country. So, if you want some space to breathe, you’ve just found the ultimate getaway.

San Francisco is a city with an abundance of historic charms. The Golden Gate Bridge, steep streets lined with colourful Victorian-era homes and the city’s iconic cable cars are a powerful reminder that you’re in one of the most culturally important cities in the USA.

Foodie focus

In addition to this city’s rich heritage, the Northern Californian metropolis continues to innovate and inspire, with a pioneering farm-to-table restaurant scene, legendary covered food market and all-compassing eco vibe.

Offering golden-age glamour next to golden sands, vibrant culture and cuisine, all overlooked by dramatic canyons, Los Angeles has no shortage of oft-filmed assets to recommend it. But there’s one in particular that always gives it an edge over anywhere. Los Angeles offers a rich melting pot of cultures bubbling up with surprises, the cosy climate also makes the region’s golden beaches, breathtaking hills and sumptuous surf seriously tempting. Can you take it all in during one short break? You better believe it...