Stretching from the wooded Dordogne to the towering peaks of the Pyrenees, this vast region is a popular winter sports destination, but one without the hordes that besiege the Alps. Spring's melted snows lure kayakers and rafting enthusiasts. In summer, amateur and advanced hikers take to the hills.

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.

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.

Within easy reach of both the Mediterranean and the Spanish borders, Perpignan blurs the line between French and Catalan cultures. The meandering, palm-dotted Old Town is anchored by a rust-coloured, Romanesque palace—a relic from when the city ruled the Kingdom of Mallorca.

One of the most popular regions in Italy, Tuscany stretches from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Apennines. Its main cities include Florence, Pisa, Siena, Lucca, Arezzo and Livorno. Drive between stunning sites like Florence's cathedral and Uffizi Gallery and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Or join a bike tour and pedal past sun-baked olive groves and vineyards. Don't miss the towers of San Gimignano or serene northern hill towns. For a more modern take, hit one of Florence's hip clubs, such as Space Electronic.

Famed for winter skiing and summer hiking and climbing opportunities, the Dolomites are a section of the Alps in northeastern Italy, running roughly from Pieve di Cadore in the east to the Adige River in the west. Marmolada, just east of Trento, is the highest peak, at nearly 11,000 feet. The dramatic and craggy mountains are famed for their unique colors, which are the result of their partial formations as undersea coral colonies before being pushed upward millions of years ago.

Over the centuries, many cultures have added their mark to this prized piece of land. Today, you can experience those influences firsthand by exploring Istanbul’s mahalles (neighbourhoods). From the holy sites of Sultanahmet and the 19th-century European elegance of Beyoğlu to the high fashion of Nişantaşı, the vibrant café society of Kadıköy and the football-loving streets of Beşiktaş, it’s easy to see why travellers say that Istanbul isn’t just one city, but many cities within one.

At 336 miles, this is the longest system of cave's in the world.

With seemingly endless sunny beaches, charming towns, glamorous yachts and celebrities galore, the French Riviera keeps the Belle Époque alive. Most towns are best explored on foot, while a cheap and reliable rail network connects the cities and towns. Fabled destinations such as St-Tropez, Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer and St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat lure visitors to follow in the wake of Picasso, Matisse and Bizet. Over a hundred museums and more than 150 galleries keep the artistic ambiance alive.