Cumbria, England's most northwestern county, is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. Valleys and fells are home to idyllic villages, high rolling moorland and plenty of lakes. While climbing, biking and hiking are popular, literary connections draw visitors to Grasmere and Rydal. Keswick, Ambleside and Windermere offer hotels and restaurants. Driving is the best way to get around sites such as Wordsworth's Dove Cottage and The World of Beatrix Potter.

Traces of Preston’s industrial past can be seen in its historic Docklands district and steam train railways, while the city centre mixes the old and new, with glass-fronted shopping malls flanked by elegant Georgian townhouses.

Harrogate is also known as "The English Spa." For centuries, visitors have flocked to the mineral hot springs. Today, those springs still soothe the body while the placid RHS Harlow Carr Gardens and Yorkshire Dales national park stimulate the soul. Tea rooms, architecture, and art galleries are the main pastimes in this pleasant town.  With four rail stations for easy transport, travellers can board trains running between Harrogate and York, Leeds, Knaresborough, and London.

The Hague is a study in contrasts — a captivating blend of new styles and old masters in a historic city synonymous with peace and justice. With easy access to both city and beach, The Hague offers everything from royal palaces and timeless Dutch fishing harbours to endless opportunities to stroll the streets alongside the 'Hagenaars' and 'Hagenezen' as you explore exotic cuisine and unforgettable shopping experiences.

Bordering both Austria and Hungary and couched between the Danube and the Little Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is a picturesque city whose natural surroundings are rivaled only by its own historic architecture. Dating back centuries, the Old Town is home to numerous historic churches, castles, galleries and museums, including the Museum of Jewish Culture and Bratislava City Museum. The surviving fortifications at Michael's Gate provide a glimpse into the medieval history of the city.