Much more than just a gateway to the Costa Blanca, Alicante is an attractive and atmospheric city with plenty to recommend it. Founded by the Romans, then ruled by the Arabs for 500 years, the city has a rich history and a lovely old town, along with superb beaches and an excellent modern art museum.

The bustling port of Motril is less than an hour’s drive from Granada, last stronghold of the Moors in Spain and home to the famous Alhambra palace. The narrow streets of the Albayzín quarter are particularly evocative of the days of Al Andalus, and you can explore Granada’s Jewish heritage in the atmospheric Realejo district.

The crumbling, sun-baked seafront city of Cádiz is said to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the western world, founded by the Phoenicians around 1100 BC. Although the city lacks any obvious landmarks, it’s rich in atmosphere, and plays host to one of Spain’s most colourful carnivals.

Funchal, Madeira’s bustling capital, tumbles down a dramatic hillside towards a beautiful sweeping bay. Highlights include colourful markets, wine lodges and the spectacular cable car ride up to the village of Monte, home of the famous toboggan run.

Ponta Delgada is the capital of São Miguel, the largest and most populous island of the Azores. Founded in the 15th century, the city is home to elegant architecture and some excellent restaurants, though the main attraction is the tranquility and natural beauty of the surrounding countryside.

Horta is the capital of the island of Faial, in the centre of the Azores archipelago. The harbour is a popular stop-off point for yachts crossing the Atlantic, and it’s also the base for whale watching trips and excursions to the spectacular Caldeira Cabeço Gordo volcanic crater.

The natural harbour at Halifax is the second largest in the world after Sydney, and this charming city has a proud maritime heritage. Take a stroll along the historic waterfront, delve into the vibrant arts scene or explore the beautiful coastal scenery of Nova Scotia.

The vibrant maritime city of Portland is a culinary and cultural hotspot, with some fantastic restaurants, a thriving craft beer scene and a host of trendy galleries and shops. Lobster lovers will be in heaven, while history buffs will enjoy strolling the handsome Victorian streets of the Old Port district.

Boston is one of the oldest cities in the USA, and in amongst the skyscrapers are plenty of red-brick buildings, a Georgian architecture that lends the city a distinctly European feel. Boston is also home to a wealth of cultural riches, including the superb Museum of Fine Arts, as well as the world famous Harvard University.

Newport is one of New England’s most appealing towns, with a well preserved colonial centre and an illustrious history. This was the holiday destination of choice for wealthy families in the 19th century, and their magnificent clifftop mansions along Bellvue Avenue are a real sight to behold.