Olive groves, orange trees, stretches of golden sand and sapphire sea… a Greek island paradise? Close. Parga is on the northwest mainland of Greece and is beloved for its gorgeous beaches and laid-back atmosphere. Explore ancient fortress ruins, visit the hilltop Ali Pasha castle and chat up some friendly locals at one of Parga’s seaside taverns.

Bergamo is a northern Italy treasure. Dating from 49 BC, Bergamo has two centres: the Alta (upper) city and the Bassa (lower) city, connected by a funicular and walking trails.  For historic sites, go to Alta for the Piazza Vecchia,the Cattedrale di Bergamo e Battistero, and the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore Baptistry,  as well as the quirky mausoleum of Rastelli, the world famous juggler. Bassa is more modern and residential, and boasts Via 20 Settembre - the shopping district.

Just across the Rhine River from Dusseldorf, Neuss was founded by the Romans in 16 B.C., as the military colony of Novaesium, making it one of Germany's oldest Roman settlements. The town thrived in the Middle Ages, and in the late 15th century staved off the Siege of Neuss by Burgundian leader Charles the Bold. Museum Insel Hombroich is one of the city's main attractions, a unique venue fusing nature, art and architecture amid the heavy industrialization of the Rhine-Ruhr area.