As the weather starts to heat up, we all start thinking more about where we want to travel to in the summer – and with a whole world at your feet, it can be difficult to pinpoint the ideal place to land.
Whether you are a beach babe who likes nothing more than sunbathing and soaking up the rays, or you are a culture vulture looking for the best city experiences, there is something for everyone in every corner of the world – and we have put together a little list of some places you might not have considered for your perfect getaway.
City breaks are all the rage at the moment, and here are five of the best, according to Lonely Planet.
Toulouse, France
Known tenderly as La Ville Rose, Toulouse is Paris in miniature. A maze-like city awash in pinkish stone (giving the city its name), visiting Toulouse is a chance to enjoy a slower pace of life and really get to know the place.
You can take in the culture at the many art galleries, or experience the concerts and performances that have awarded Toulouse as a UNESCO City of Music. You can explore the streets to get up close and personal with the fantastic architecture – or, you can step firmly into the 21st Century and explore the largest space centre in Europe – the Cite de l’Espace. In this space-based park, you can actually enter the Mir space station that orbited the Earth between 1986-2001, among other things.
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Just a bit further south is Monaco – the playground of the wealthy. Known as much for the Formula 1 race as it is for the entertainment, Monte Carlo is the place to be seen and potentially rub shoulders with the rich and famous, too.
In an atrium surrounded by 28 onyx columns is the Casino – the heart of the Place du Casino, and the location for many a movie about a certain spy. Try your hand at table and slot games here, and you will feel like taking your water shaken, not stirred. Need some practice first? Try playing online slots with real money to get some strategy before you go.
If casinos aren’t your thing, then there are luxury fashion boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, and you can even walk on the famous hairpin bend on the F1 track before heading off to visit the fantastic Jardins du Boulangrins or the Jardin de la Petite Afrique.
Curitiba, Brazil
It might be the eighth largest city in Brazil, but it is one that is off the beaten tourist path – which is perfect if you like to pave your own way. This surprisingly diverse city has a spring-like climate all year round, and it is known as a ‘green’ city with a commitment to making environmentally sound choices regarding both mass transit and urban planning, some of which date back to the 1970’s.
Here you will find neoclassical and art nouveau buildings, beautiful botanical gardens, and stylish cafes, galleries and pubs to relax in. The Oscar Niemeyer Museum is a must-see, and if you want to take in more of the area, why not hop on the Serra Verde Express – a 10-hour round trip train journey through the outstanding countryside.
Vancouver, Canada
There is a reason that Canada is rated as one of the happiest places in the world – and if you want to avoid the worst of the extreme temperatures that are common in this very Northern place, then Vancouver is an excellent choice.
For the outdoor enthusiasts, it doesn’t get better than Stanley Park. Whether you are a walker, a jogger, or you prefer to cycle, there is so much to see and discover in this 1,000 acre green space that you would need several weeks to see it all. Traverse some of the Seawall, and you might see seals and even whales off the coast. Further inland, you can expect to catch sight of raccoons, beavers, and even bald eagles.
Genoa, Italy
Visiting Italy is about more than just food – and Genoa is a gem. The combination of Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque architecture that surrounds you make for some really Insta-worthy pictures, and the Museo del Mare really brings to life the link this port city has to the rest of the world via the ocean.
While many might use Genoa as the entry point to explore the Italian Riviera, the heart of the city is actually one of the largest Medieval town centres in the world, which is best explored on foot so you can really get to know the tiny alleys and whimsical buildings more intimately.
Another city with a mild climate – warm but not too hot, even in the height of summer. Climb up the Lighthouse at Porto Antico to get the best seats in the house.