Home to cultural figures like Gogol, Tchaikovsky and Dostoyevsky, St Petersburg has seen historic events including the end of the monarchy, the Bolshevik uprising and 1917 Revolution. With hundreds of museums and theatres, St Petersburg is Russia's cultural heart and features such architectural gems as the Winter Palace, the Kazan Cathedral and the Peter and Paul Fortress. For entertainment, head to Nevskiy Prospect, the city's main avenue. This bridge- filled city spills across 44 islands on the Neva River.

Pushkin is a historic estate originally given by Peter the Great to his wife Catherine as a rural getaway. Today, the main attraction is Tsarskoye Selo, a collection of historic palaces, churches and other buildings that make it a World Heritage Site. Highlights include the beautiful Alexander and Catherine Palaces. The town itself was founded in the early 1700s and was the home of the first railroad service in Russia, which still connects it to the capital.

Vyborg is a small, picturesque resort town a short train ride away from St. Petersburg. Medieval fortifications rise above the small peninsula on which the town is set, and the whole place can be seen by foot in a few hours. The highlight is Vyborg Castle, originally built by the Swedish, then captured and recaptured by the Russians and the Finnish. It has a great view of the town.

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.

Land of Mermaids. Land of Orange and Lemon Groves. Land of Colors. This small city in Campania has earned a plethora of alluring names. Famed for its sea cliffs, the town's steep slopes look out over azure waters to Ischia, Capri and the Bay of Naples. The birthplace of Limoncello liqueur offers some good diving, great sea fishing, boat cruises and appetizing restaurants. Excellent hiking trails cross the peninsula. Rent a car or take a taxi if the steep streets look too intimidating.

A popular gateway to the Balearic Islands, Denia is a worthy destination in its own right. The port city exudes culture at every turn: an ancient Moorish castle overlooks idyllic beaches, archaeological museums, and authentic eateries, while Mt. Montgó looms in the backdrop.

Cairo has lot to live up to: the Jewel of the Orient, the City of the Thousand Minarets and the Melting Pot of Ancient and Modern Egyptian Civilizations are just a few of its titles. To take in some of the Egyptian capital's magnitude, visit the Antiquities Museum, which houses King Tut's earthly goods, see the massive Citadel and Khan Al-Khalili bazaar. Leave driving to the locals and travel by taxi, or book a car and driver. Transfer to a camel at the pyramids and brave the gaze of the Sphinx.