The southern France city of Toulouse is a study in contrasts. Visit the Academie des Jeux Floraux, the oldest literary society in the western world, as well as the Galerie du Chateau d'eau, the world's first photography museum. Stroll the Garonne, before visiting France's most beautiful pipe organ at the Saint-Sernin Basilica. Yet for all its medieval architecture, Toulouse is a modern city, home to the European aerospace industry, as well as bars and restaurants in bustling Place du Capitole.

With its Romanesque architecture and cobbled lanes, hilltop Poitiers is a city steeped in history. Nonetheless, its lively student population and steady influx of theme park visitors ensure a thriving cultural scene and a centre brimming with galleries, restaurants, and terrace cafés.

Lucerne is an ancient town with strikingly modern sensibilities. One of Europe’s oldest covered bridges serves as its centrepiece, and fresco-adorned historic houses line the streets, but it’s also home to the cutting-edge KKL, a concert hall and art gallery. Take the cableways up the Pilatus, Stanserhorn or Rigi mountains for breathtaking views, or see Lake Lucerne on a steamship cruise.

The largest city in Switzerland is a major contemporary art and shopping destination. Important artworks are displayed in the Kunsthaus and the Rietberg Museum. Those who consider shopping an art can hone their skills along Bahnhofstrasse and Niederdorf. Chagall's stained-glass windows in the Fraumünster amaze. Zurich's 500 clubs and bars, including several in swimming pools, pulse with life till the early hours. This city on Lake Zurich has excellent public transport and a free bike-hire system.

From Shoreditch’s swaggering style to Camden’s punky vibe and chic Portobello Road, London is many worlds in one. The city’s energy means that no two days are the same. Explore royal or historic sites, tick off landmarks from your bucket list, eat and drink in exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants, enjoy a pint in a traditional pub, or get lost down winding cobbled streets and see what you stumble across – when it comes to London, the possibilities are endless.

Amsterdam is truly a biker’s city, although pedaling along the labyrinthine streets can get a little chaotic. Stick to walking and you won’t be disappointed. The gentle canals make a perfect backdrop for exploring the Jordaan and Rembrandtplein square. Pop into the Red Light District if you must—if only so you can say you’ve been there. The Anne Frank House is one of the most moving experiences a traveller can have, and the Van Gogh Museum boasts a sensational collection of works.

Copenhagen is one of Europe’s oldest and most popular cities. It’s also one of the cleanest and most metropolitan. The dynamic Danish capital features progressive modern architecture, the must-visit Tivoli Gardens amusement park, stunning palaces, and all the activities and amenities you would expect in a world-class destination. Explore the canals and pretty narrow streets, appreciate beautiful old homes, and find great shopping and people watching on The Ströget.

Sitting on the south shore of Rhode Island, the town of Westerly is a quiet residential community in the winter, swelling in the summer to accommodate tourists eager to explore the local beaches, Narragansett Bay and the Rhode Island Sound. Just over the border from Connecticut, Westerly is conveniently located to the Aquarium at Mystic, as well as the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casinos. Nearby, the picturesque village of Watch Hill features ocean views, ice cream shops, and craft boutiques.