As the island retreat of choice for European jetsetters and celebrities alike, it’s easy to see why Hvar grabs headlines. Sun-soaked beaches, lavender-scented hinterlands, and cobbled medieval towns provide a welcome change of pace from the seemingly endless choice of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

Hemmed in by mountains and lush swathes of pine and cypress forest, Cavtat is pretty from all angles. Add a seafront promenade lined with fishing boats, artisan shops, and pebble beaches, and it’s clear why travellers stop off at Croatia’s southernmost resort.

Catania has been a prize of many empires over the centuries, from Greeks to Romans to Arabs to Normans to Spaniards (to name a few). But its citizens have a more dangerous enemy right in their backyard—Mount Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano, which destroyed the city with earthquakes and lava flows in 1693. Look closely at the baroque buildings dating from after the eruption—you'll notice a creative use of lava.

Boasting montane surroundings, subtropical beaches, and a major railway terminal, Adler is unsurprisingly one of Russia’s most popular Black Sea resorts. Arguably more affordable than its Olympic neighbour Sochi, Adler’s parks, museums, and churches provide plenty to do beyond sunbathing.

Though often used as a gateway to nearby beach resorts, Thiruvananthapuram offers plenty of its own to reward travellers who stay. From South Indian cuisine and a sophisticated art scene to architectural treasures and historic landmarks, there’s so much to experience in Kerala’s capital.