Flying from Heathrow in July

The UAE's capital, with a dazzling white mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Yas Island's theme parks.

• Winter sun
• Culture
• Theme parks

A modern Gulf capital of striking museums and a restored souq, with desert dunes close by.

• Winter sun
• Museums
• Stopover

Record-breaking towers, giant malls and Gulf beaches, with the old creek souks and the desert close by.

• Winter sun
• Beaches
• Shopping

Neon, casinos and big shows in the desert, with Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon in reach.

• Nightlife
• Shows
• Road trips

A relaxed Gulf island kingdom with ancient forts, pearling heritage and souqs.

• Winter sun
• History
• Stopover

Ornate metro stations, huge bazaars and the gateway to Samarkand and the Silk Road.

• History
• Culture
• Silk Road

India's sprawling capital, with Mughal monuments, Old Delhi's food lanes and the Taj Mahal within reach.

• History
• Food
• Culture

A crusader castle above a busy marina, white houses on the hills and boat trips around the peninsula.

• Beaches
• Nightlife
• Boat trips

Night markets, imperial treasures, hot springs and green mountains in Taiwan's easy-going capital.

• Food
• City break
• Culture

The Acropolis above the city, the Plaka's tavernas, and ferries from Piraeus to the islands.

• History
• Food
• City break

A UNESCO medina, the Bardo's Roman mosaics, Carthage and blue-and-white Sidi Bou Said.

• History
• Culture
• Souks

The airport for Turkey's Lycian coast: Dalyan's rock tombs, Ölüdeniz lagoon and the marinas of Fethiye and Göcek.

• Beaches
• Boat trips
• All-inclusive

Lakes, temples and the chaotic Old Quarter's street food, with Ha Long Bay in reach.

• Food
• Culture
• History

Golden temples, river boats, rooftop bars and some of the world's best street food.

• City break
• Temples
• Food

Jamaica's north-coast resort town, with Caribbean beaches, reggae and trips to waterfalls and rivers.

• Beaches
• Reggae
• Waterfalls

Florida's theme park capital, with Disney and Universal, and the Space Coast on the doorstep.

• Theme parks
• Space
• Beaches

The colonial Bund, futuristic skyscrapers, old lanes and great food.

• City break
• Food
• Architecture

Saigon's scooters, rooftop bars, colonial landmarks and superb street food.

• Food
• Nightlife
• History

Jazz, Creole food and French Quarter balconies in America's most distinctive city.

• Music
• Food
• Nightlife

A palm-lined seafront, the church of Saint Lazarus, and pink flamingos on the salt lake in winter.

• Winter sun
• Beach
• History

Malaysia's capital of twin towers, cave temples and Malay, Chinese and Indian food on every corner.

• City break
• Food
• Stopover

The Prado, the Retiro park, late dinners and tapas bars that stay busy past midnight.

• City break
• Art
• Food

Gulf Coast sunshine, a historic Cuban cigar district, theme parks and nearby beaches.

• Beaches
• Theme parks
• Winter sun

Jordan's hilly capital of Roman ruins, and the base for Petra and the Dead Sea.

• History
• Culture
• Desert

The Colosseum, the Pantheon, Vatican City and trattorias down every side street.

• History
• Food
• City break

The Renaissance in one compact city: the Duomo, the Uffizi, Michelangelo's David and Tuscan food.

• Art
• City break
• Food

A lively waterfront with the White Tower, Byzantine churches, and the beaches of Halkidiki to the south.

• Food
• History
• Beaches

Brightly painted buildings, the Bunk'Art museums in Cold War bunkers, and the cable car up Dajti mountain.

• City break
• History
• Mountains

Music City: country music legends, honky-tonks on Broadway and hot chicken.

• Music
• Nightlife
• Food

America's capital, with grand monuments and mostly free museums along the National Mall.

• City break
• Museums
• History

The Forbidden City, old hutong lanes and the Great Wall within a day trip.

• History
• Culture
• City break

Skyscrapers and harbour views, street markets and dim sum, with green hiking trails a short ride away.

• City break
• Food
• Hiking

Valletta's honey-coloured fortress city, prehistoric temples and clear water for diving and boat trips to Gozo and Comino.

• History
• Diving
• Island hopping

Sulphur baths, carved wooden balconies and a wine tradition said to go back 8,000 years.

• Wine
• Food
• City break

A spotless city-state of futuristic gardens, skyline views and brilliant cheap hawker food.

• City break
• Food
• Stopover

Porticoed streets, Europe's oldest university and the food capital of Italy: mortadella, tortellini and ragù.

• Food
• City break
• History

The airport for Sardinia's Costa Smeralda and the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago.

• Beaches
• Boat trips
• Coast

Venetian-built Corfu Town, olive-covered hills and turquoise bays on the north-west coast.

• Beaches
• Old town
• Greek island

Art Deco hotels, Latin flavour and beaches, with the Everglades and Florida Keys within reach.

• Beaches
• Nightlife
• Winter sun

Picasso's home town: a Moorish fortress above the port, tapas bars below, and a city beach a short walk from the centre.

• City break
• Tapas
• Museums
• Mild winters

The birthplace of the United States, with historic sights, big museums and cheesesteaks.

• History
• City break
• Food

A city built inside the walls of a Roman emperor's palace, with ferries to Hvar and Brač.

• History
• Islands
• Coast

Street food markets, Arab-Norman churches and the beach at Mondello.

• Food
• History
• Beach

A medieval walled old town, one of the best preserved in Europe, and the clifftop village of Lindos with its acropolis.

• History
• Beaches
• Old town

Coral atolls with overwater villas, house reefs and some of the clearest water anywhere.

• Beaches
• Snorkelling
• Luxury

The Duomo and its rooftop terraces, Leonardo's Last Supper and the shops of the Quadrilatero. Lake Como is an hour away by train.

• City break
• Shopping
• Art

Navagio Bay's shipwreck beach and loggerhead turtles nesting on the south coast.

• Beaches
• Boat trips
• Nightlife

Small Caribbean island of white-sand beaches, rum shops and cricket, with calm water on the west coast.

• Beaches
• Rum
• Caribbean

France's oldest city: the Old Port, the hilltop basilica, and the limestone inlets of the Calanques.

• Coast
• Food
• City break

A hilltop university city in Umbria, close to Assisi and famous for its chocolate festival.

• Hill towns
• Food
• History

A Venetian harbour and lighthouse, the Samaria Gorge walk, and the pink-sand beach at Elafonisi.

• Old town
• Hiking
• Beaches

A walled old town under flame-shaped towers on the Caspian Sea.

• City break
• Architecture
• History

The home of pizza, with Pompeii, Vesuvius and boats to Capri all within reach.

• Food
• History
• Islands

The Palace of the Parliament, one of the largest buildings in the world, and the lanes of the old town.

• City break
• History
• Nightlife

Roman mosaics, the Tombs of the Kings, and Aphrodite's Rock along the coast road. One of the warmest places on this list.

• History
• Winter sun
• Beaches

India's seaside megacity of Victorian Gothic landmarks, street food and Bollywood energy.

• City break
• Food
• Architecture

Sri Lanka's friendly seaside capital and the gateway to its beaches and tea country.

• Beaches
• Culture
• Food

The airport for southern Corsica: Bonifacio on its white cliffs and the beaches of Porto-Vecchio.

• Beaches
• Cliffs
• Old town

White villages on the rim of a flooded volcanic caldera, with famous sunsets at Oia.

• Sunsets
• Views
• Greek island

Neon districts, quiet shrines and superb food in the world's biggest city.

• City break
• Food
• Culture

The futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, the home of paella, and city beaches along the Mediterranean.

• City break
• Food
• Beach

The Leaning Tower and the Field of Miracles, and the easiest airport for Florence and Lucca.

• Tuscany
• History
• Food

The largest Balearic island: Palma's Gothic cathedral, the Serra de Tramuntana mountains and hundreds of coves.

• Beaches
• Mountains
• Palma city break

Famous for its clubs, but also a UNESCO-listed old town, Dalt Vila, and quiet coves in the north.

• Nightlife
• Beaches
• Old town

A British island in the Atlantic with pink-sand beaches, pastel cottages and very clear water.

• Beaches
• Snorkelling
• Summer

Landmark architecture, blues and jazz, great museums and deep-dish pizza on Lake Michigan.

• City break
• Architecture
• Music

The airport for Puglia's Salento, with Baroque Lecce and the beaches of the heel of Italy.

• Puglia
• Beaches
• Food

The largest Ionian island: Myrtos beach, the Melissani cave lake and the setting of Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

• Beaches
• Caves
• Greek island

Skyscrapers, Central Park, Broadway and food from every corner of the world, across five boroughs.

• City break
• Shopping
• Museums

A walled old town beside the Ria Formosa lagoon, and the gateway to the Algarve's cliffs and coves.

• Algarve coast
• Old town
• Golf

The Balkans' party capital, with a riverside fortress, bohemian streets and floating clubs on the Danube.

• City break
• Nightlife
• Food

Italy's best-known beach resort, with Roman monuments in the old centre and San Marino nearby.

• Beaches
• Families
• History

Royal palaces, food markets and K-pop energy, with mountain hikes right on the city's edge.

• City break
• Food
• Culture

The biggest Canary Island, with Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak, above the resorts of the sunny south coast.

• Winter sun
• Volcano
• Whale watching

Canals instead of streets, St Mark's Square, and the islands of Murano and Burano by water bus.

• City break
• Canals
• Art

The airport for Lefkada and Parga on Greece's west coast, known for very clear turquoise water.

• Beaches
• Coast
• Islands

Gaudí's Sagrada Família and Park Güell, the Gothic Quarter's lanes and a city beach at Barceloneta.

• City break
• Architecture
• Beach

Crete's capital, five kilometres from the Minoan palace of Knossos, with beaches east and west.

• History
• Beaches
• Greek island

France's food capital, with a Renaissance old town, Roman theatres and the Festival of Lights in December.

• Food
• Old town
• City break

Seven hills of tiled houses, the historic trams, custard tarts in Belém and the beaches of Cascais along the coast.

• City break
• Food
• Coast

The 'Pink City' of terracotta brick, home of Airbus, with the Canal du Midi running through it.

• City break
• Aviation
• Food

Walk the full circuit of the medieval city walls above the Adriatic, then take a boat to Lokrum island.

• Old town
• City walls
• Coast

An Austro-Hungarian upper town, the Museum of Broken Relationships and lively cafés.

• City break
• Christmas markets
• Quirky

Steaming outdoor thermal baths, the Parliament on the Danube, and ruin bars in old courtyards.

• Thermal baths
• City break
• Nightlife

The Rock, with its Barbary macaques, cable car and Great Siege Tunnels. British, with Spain across the border.

• History
• Monkeys
• Short break

The Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and ferries across the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia.

• History
• Food
• City break

A green, car-free old town on the river, an hour from Lake Bled.

• City break
• Lakes
• Food

Windmills, the Little Venice waterfront and beach clubs, with boats to ancient Delos.

• Nightlife
• Beaches
• Greek island

The gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Roman ruins in the metro and Vitosha mountain above the city.

• City break
• History
• Mountains

A compact, walkable city of revolutionary history, universities and seafood.

• City break
• History
• Food

The airport for the Bay of Kotor, with its walled town of Kotor and mountain-backed fjord-like coast.

• Coast
• Old town
• Mountains

The Promenade des Anglais along the bay, the old town's market, and the Riviera villages of Èze and Monaco nearby.

• Riviera
• Beach
• Old town

Canada's compact capital of parliament buildings, national museums and a canal you can skate on.

• City break
• Museums
• Winter

Imperial palaces, the opera house and coffee houses that have served cake since the 1800s.

• City break
• Music
• Christmas markets

Canada's biggest city, diverse and easy-going on Lake Ontario, with Niagara Falls a day trip away.

• City break
• Food
• Day trips

The lakeside Jet d'Eau, a compact old town, and the Alps close by for skiing in winter.

• Lake
• Skiing
• City break

A French-speaking city with a cobbled old town, big festivals and serious food.

• City break
• Food
• Festivals

The Charles Bridge, a castle complex above the river, and a beer culture that goes back centuries.

• City break
• Beer
• Old town

Beaches, mountains, samba and Christ the Redeemer in one spectacular city.

• Beaches
• Nightlife
• Winter sun

Morocco's Atlantic business city of art deco streets and a vast mosque on the ocean's edge.

• City break
• Architecture
• Coast

One airport, three countries: it serves Basel in Switzerland, Mulhouse in France and Freiburg in Germany.

• Art
• Rhine
• Christmas markets

The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre, with cafés on every corner and Disneyland Paris east of the city.

• City break
• Museums
• Food

The Guggenheim Museum, pintxos bars in the old town and the green Basque coast.

• Food
• Art
• City break

Wawel Castle above the Vistula, one of Europe's largest medieval market squares, and the Wieliczka salt mine nearby.

• Old town
• History
• Salt mine

Vineyard hills, palaces and the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums.

• Cars
• Museums
• Wine

A green waterside city of coffee, ferries and a famous market, with Mount Rainier on the skyline.

• City break
• Food
• Outdoors

A carefully rebuilt old town, the Chopin museum and Łazienki park, and a fast-growing food scene.

• City break
• History
• Food

The Brandenburg Gate, the remaining stretches of the Wall, Museum Island and a famous club scene.

• History
• Nightlife
• City break

A Gothic cathedral beside the Rhine, chocolate and beer museums, and one of Germany's biggest carnivals.

• City break
• Christmas markets
• Beer

Beaches, film studios and sunshine, spread across a city of very different neighbourhoods.

• Beaches
• Road trips
• Film

Beer halls, the English Garden, Oktoberfest in autumn and day trips to Neuschwanstein Castle.

• Beer
• City break
• Castles

The Rhine promenade, the Altstadt's 'longest bar in the world' and its own dark beer, Altbier.

• City break
• Beer
• Shopping

Aztec ruins, great museums, leafy neighbourhoods and one of the world's best food scenes.

• Food
• Culture
• History

A lakeside city with an old town on both banks of the river and the Alps within easy reach.

• Lake
• Mountains
• City break