Acclaimed for their medical benefits since 1522, 200 spa houses had sprung up in this picturesque valley by the end of the 16th century. Its curative springs have won fame as the answer to a slew of metabolic and gastric difficulties. Today’s treatments range from aquatherapy to drinking the mineral-rich water.

On the banks of the lovely Elbe River, the German city of Dresden is lush and green, filled with forests and gardens and parks. The city is rich with cultural and artistic history; the great operatic composer Wilhelm Wagner debuted a number of works here in the 1800s and, today, an independent light opera company keeps the classical art form modern and fresh. Culture vultures will love the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister and Grünes Gewölbe museums, and architecture buffs will salivate over the mélange of styles reflected in the cityscape.

Hugging the German border, Western Poland is made up of the West Pomeranian, Lubusz and Lower Silesian Voivodships (Provinces), the largest cities of which are Szczecin, Gorzow Wielkopolski and Wroclaw respectively. Both Szczecin and Wroclaw are beautiful medieval cities with many popular attractions. Drawno National Park, part of the massive Drawska Forest, lies at the convergence of West Pomerania, Lubusz and Greater Poland. Lubusz is also home to the bird-filled Ujscie Warty National Park.

Europe's largest thermal lake is reputed to work wonders on various medical conditions. The lake’s healing waters and therapeutic mud have provoked a healthy stream of health tourists. Visitors can experience its beneficial effects in spas and hotels or for the authentic Heviz experience, bathe in the lake itself.

From Shoreditch’s swaggering style to Camden’s punky vibe and chic Portobello Road, London is many worlds in one. The city’s energy means that no two days are the same. Explore royal or historic sites, tick off landmarks from your bucket list, eat and drink in exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants, enjoy a pint in a traditional pub, or get lost down winding cobbled streets and see what you stumble across – when it comes to London, the possibilities are endless.

Classic whitewashed buildings line the labyrinthine streets of Mykonos, the largest town on the Greek island of the same name. Matoyianni Street is particularly charming. Iconic 16th-century windmills keep watch over the village from the hills above, and the fully functional Boni Mill is part of the Mykonos Agricultural Museum. The Aegean Maritime Museum and the Folklore Museum will give you a proper introduction to the area’s rich cultural and economic history.