A patchwork of vineyards and olive groves, dotted with whitewashed hill towns and sun-bronzed beaches—Italy’s southern heel has no shortage of photogenic landscapes. There are a few surprises, too, including the baroque city of Lecce and the Itria Valley, with its UNESCO-listed trulli houses.

History lovers should know that Milan is not all about trendy shops and designer clothes. Among the city's many historical attractions are La Scala Opera, the Milan Cathedral, the National Museum of Science and Technology and Santa Maria della Grazie, the church that preserves da Vinci's "Last Supper".

Salou, on the Costa Dorada, nestles between quaint Cambrils and calm La Pineda. Just seven miles south of elegant Tarragona, the compact resort town is a family favourite, due in no small part to the existence of Port Aventura and Aquopolis theme parks. Gentle beaches and a slew of exciting fiestas in August add to Salou's appeal for families.

Best known to most Germans as the locale of Georg-August University, Gottingen has about 130,000 residents, about a quarter of whom are students. Gänseliesel (Goose Girl) is the city's most famous resident, a 1901 fountain built in front of the 14th century Rathaus (Town Hall), which today houses the city's tourist office. But even Goose Girl can't escape the college students, who by tradition upon receiving their PhDs must climb and kiss her, making her "the most kissed girl in the world."

Situated on the Dutch border, Limburg is the easternmost province in Flanders, and the foremost fruit-growing region in the country. The lively, friendly market town of Hasselt is the provincial capital. It boasts a car-free historic center, with building dating back as far as the 11th century. Genk is another recommended stop. The city of 63,000 people is home to a zoo, a planetarium, De Maten nature reserve and Bokrijk, an open-air museum of 19th century Flemish architecture.

The second most populous town in North Germany, Bremen brings the high-tech, science and space industries together beneath a truly metropolitan backdrop. In a city where innovation, beauty and sophistication meet, it's impossible not to feel the life force. In this 1,200-year-old Hanseatic city, visit the Schlachte Promenade on the River Weser, the full-sized Columbus Space Module of the International Space Station and the Universum Science centre. Oh, and "Hanseatic" refers to an alliance of trading cities in the 13th-17th centuries. But you probably knew that.