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.

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".

Encircled by a forest of fragrant pine trees, the mountain village of Pontresina is an idyllic alpine retreat. Hike to the mammoth Morteratsch glacier or take a horse-drawn carriage ride through pristine Roseg Valley. Learn about ancient cheesemaking practices (and sample the delicious results) at the nearby Alpine Dairy of Morteratsch. A guided village tour will expose you to local features you may have otherwise missed, like graffiti murals and holy frescoes.

Snow sports rule in Saas-Fee. Thanks to its proximity to the glaciers of the Pennine Alps, it’s a winter wonderland year-round, perfect for skiing, snowboarding, sledding, skating and snuggling up for a romantic après ski. The village is car-free, so be sure to save some of that slope energy for your post-ski strolls.

Amritsar is a major commercial and cultural centre in the heart of Punjab. The city is the spiritual and cultural centre of the Sikh religion and is home to the Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple. Respectfully marvel at the Indian and Pakistani soldiers who march-off nightly at the Wagha Border, and at the Jallian Wala Bagh the site of the 1919 Amritsar Massacre in 1919.

Founded in the 15th century, Ahmedabad is the largest city in the state of Gujrat. The city is a vibrant business district and rising centre of education, information technology and scientific industries. Divided in two - the old city and the new city; The city offers different moods right from the hustle-bustle of C.G. Road in the heart of Ahmedabad to the quite retreat of of the Sabarmati Ashram. Ahmedabad enjoys a thriving cultural tradition, being the centre of Gujarati cultural activities and diverse traditions of different ethnic and religious communities. Popular celebrations and observances include Uttarayan - an annual kite-flying day on 14 January and the nine nights of Navratri - celebrated with people performing Garba - the folk dance of Gujarat - at venues across the city.

Montreal, c’est si bon! This French-speaking city is considered the cultural capital of Canada, and is a cosmopolitan celebration of Québécois style. A horse-drawn carriage ride around the cobblestone streets and grand buildings of Vieux-Montréal will give you a taste of European flavour. The Basilique Notre-Dame is a confection of stained glass, and the Plateau Mont-Royal district will delight you with its quaint boutiques and cafés. Dig in to a massive plate of poutine to fuel up for a tour of the epic Olympic Park.

Ottawa is a compact, clean, cleverly planned centre of culture and politics. And it's an ideal choice for a weekend getaway. Start downtown at the architecturally stunning National Gallery of Canada, and don't miss the Canadian Nature Museum and the National Aviation Museum. Rideau Canal offers boating in the summer and ice-skating in the winter. Gatineau Park attracts cyclists and walkers, while Byward Market blends old and new Ottawa.

A larger than life nickel coin greets drivers entering Sudbury, one of Canada's major iron ore production centers. With its large Francophone population, Sudbury is home to various French cultural institutions, theaters, festivals and galleries. The city also boasts numerous art galleries, an interactive science museum and the Bridge of Nations, a stretch of road featuring 72 flags representing the demographic diversity of the community.

We've heard Toronto described as "New York City run by the Swiss," and it's true—you can find world-class theatre, shopping and restaurants here, but the sidewalks are clean and the people are friendly. The best place to start is literally at the top—the CN Tower, the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere.

Toronto's neighbour Mississauga has more than 480 parks and woodlands for you to explore. Stroll the Waterfront Trail, rent a boat at the marina or spend a day at the racetrack. It's also called Ontario's shopping capital, with everything from shopping centres and outlet malls to picturesque village-style shopping streets.

A cosmopolitan city known as the "cultural cradle of Canada," Winnipeg is family friendly with plenty of charm. It boasts a dazzling arts, theatre and indie music scene, as well as lip-smacking dining options to tantalize every taste bud. Experience nine acres of shopping and interactive fun at the Forks Market or explore Winnipeg’s diverse neighborhoods like the historic French Quarter and Exchange District or the boho chic Osborne Village.