Just north of Frankfurt at the foot of the Taunus Mountains, Bad Homburg has been treasured for its healing baths since the 19th century, when it hosted royalty from across Europe and the world. Of course they also came for its casino, sometimes called "the mother of Monte Carlo." Today, both the original Spa Park (or Kurpark) and the Bad Homburg Casino are still here, and visitors also enjoy Bad Homburg Castle and its White Tower. Just northwest of town is Saalburg, a restored Roman fort.

Many people travel through Frankfurt for business, as it's a major transportation hub and an industrial and financial metropolis. Of course we know that business travellers hate to have any fun on the road (wink), but it's worth lingering in Frankfurt if you can. The 2,000-year-old city has much to offer: skyscrapers, the Main River, a famous opera house, thriving theatre district, zoo, pedestrian shopping street, parks, scores of bars and dance clubs, and more than 50 museums.

Roman legions marched into what is now the Rhineland's largest city in 38 B.C. These two thousand years have produced a wealth of sites to visit, from Roman towers to Gothic churches to modern architecture. With a reputation as a fine art center, Cologne has museums running the gamut from the Museum of Applied Art to Museum Ludwig, home to works by Warhol and Picasso, to the Chocolate Museum. The city has an excellent bus, tram and train system, on which Kolner Tageskarte, Day Tickets, are valid.

Home to the oldest university in Germany, Heidelberg suffered during 17th-century wars and was rebuilt in the 18th century, using the old Gothic street layout but with Baroque buildings. The historic city centre's Gothic streets are easy to navigate on foot. Fourteenth-century Heidelberg Castle is the symbolic heart of the city. The Alte Brucke is a beautiful 18th-century bridge. This university town also has a historic Student Jail, for visitors who take their history and education seriously.

From Hannover’s atmospheric old town, filled with reconstructed half-timbered buildings and terrace cafes, to its baroque gardens and vast urban lake, this booming city has much more to offer than its industrial reputation suggests.

This former unofficial capital of France sits just 10 miles from Paris and is easily reachable by train. Even though the Chateau de Versailles has been known as the epitome of indulgent luxury for centuries, seeing it in person is a jaw-dropping experience. The chateau's magnificent gardens are free, but it's worth shelling out for a day ticket to see the interior—although it does make going back to even a fancy hotel seem rather humdrum.

Manchester is a vibrant and welcoming city, bursting with unmissable experiences. Whether you’re looking for culture, music, sport, food and drink, nightlife, or just good fun, this city has it all. Make magical memories as you discover the sights and sounds of the city. Lose yourself in live music with top gigs and shows. Enrich your mind and soul with world-class culture or experience the thrill of live sport with regular games and matches. Plan your trip to Manchester today.

A little extra chunk of Russia stuck between Lithuania and Poland on the Baltic Sea, Kaliningrad was known as Königsberg from its founding by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century until after World War II. It was renamed, repopulated with Russians and became part of the Soviet Union. Today, as it has been for centuries, it’s known for amber products, with most of the world’s harvestable amber still lying off its coast. The 14th century Königsberg Cathedral is a main city attraction.

You've probably heard that Guinness tastes better in Dublin (fresh from the factory), but what you may not know is that Dublin is a perfect destination for the whole family. No, we're not suggesting you let the kiddies drink a pint. Instead, take them to the Dublin Zoo, to feed the ducks in Stephen's Green or on a picnic in Phoenix Park. Scholars enjoy walking in the literary footsteps of such writers as Yeats and Joyce, while discerning shoppers have their pick of designer boutiques.

Belfast has grown into a cosmopolitan city and become a popular weekend-break destination. The city pulses with an irrepressible optimism and energy. The Northern Ireland capital has an increasing number of intriguing bus, taxi, boat and pedestrian tours. Attractions such as Ulster Folk Museum and Belfast Cathedral, award-winning restaurants, lively bars from modern lounges to traditional pubs, hip clubs, great shopping, impressive theatres, galleries and live music make it a vivacious destination.

Plan to cross many bridges when in Cork. Ireland's third-largest city began life as an island and now spans both banks of the River Lee, with watery channels running beneath some of its main thoroughfares. The best way to experience this hilly southern seaport is on foot, following the signposted walking tour past St. Finn Barre's Cathedral and the riverside quadrangle of University College up the hill to red and white Shandon Church. Along the way, you'll meet plenty of the city's talkative residents.

The 150-year-old University of Notre Dame is South Bend's biggest tourist draw, and for good reason. Though it's not easy to land seats at the 80,000-plus-capacity Notre Dame Stadium for a "Fighting Irish" football game, you'll find plenty of attractions on the beautiful, expansive campus. Highlights include numerous works of art, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, a replica of the famous shrine. Football fans will also want to visit the College Football Hall of Fame, which features interesting perspectives on the game and inductee videos. Whether or not you remember the Studebaker automobile, which saw its demise in the early sixties, you're sure to enjoy the Studebaker National Museum, featuring more than 75 vehicles drawn from the history of the company, beginning with horse-drawn carriages. South Bend has several fine museums, including the South Bend Regional Museum of Art and the Northern Indiana Centre for History, a complex of four museums. Don't leave without trying truffles or fudge from the South Bend Chocolate Company.