Nestled inland and away from its flashier French Riviera neighbours, Narbonne embraces a slower pace of life. The sleepy Canal de la Robine slices through this former river port, where salt marshes and lagoons filled with fishing boats draw plenty of artists but few tourists.

There's something for everyone in Andorra la Vella, capital of the Principality of Andorra. Take a stroll through the historical centre and discover the Casa de la Vall (the former parliament) and the avant-garde modern parliament. If you like Romanesque art, visit the church of Santa Coloma and the Margineda medieval bridge. Nature lovers can enjoy an urban hike at the Rec del Solà or the Rec del Obac, or be seduced by the Enclar Valley’s remarkable fauna and flora. Need a shopping fix? Peruse the popular Meritxell shopping area.

Getting sick on holiday is a major drag, but if you have to be under the weather, Montpellier is an ideal place to do it. People have studied medicine here for centuries—the Moors established medical schools in the 9th century, and the Université Montpellier’s school of medicine was founded in 1220. Once the local docs give you a clean bill of health, explore the cathedral, mansions and opera house.

Silvretta Arena, with its more than 125 miles of ski tracks, links the Tyrolean resort town of Ischgl with the duty-free Swiss resort of Samnaun across the border. Known for its lively après-ski scene, every year Ischgl hosts star-studded concerts in honour of the open and closing of the ski season.

A day trip to Patara, a few miles farther west from Kalkan, offers the chance to combine horseback riding, history and sand surfing. Once an important Lycian port town, legend has it that Patara is the birthplace of Apollo and with certainty it’s the birthplace of St. Nicholas. Horseback riding for riders of all ages and capabilities is available for rides along the 22 kilometres of white beaches. And so is sand surfing.