For a little over 20 kilometres, the steep white limestone cliffs of the French coastline between Cassis and Marseilles wiggle and twist to create the beautiful scenery of the Mediterranean 'fjords'. At their feet, the turquoise waters that have nibbled into the rock for centuries are a veritable paradise for scuba divers.
Colours, perfumes, sun sets, palaces, palm trees, gardens and squares... Marrakesh is a fascinating city and a must-see destination. All around there are unique and special experiences awaiting the traveller; we've selected just a few of the best.
From September 15th to 17th, the island of Porto Santo pays homage to the world's most famous navigator with a programme of events with all the flavour of the Age of Discovery.
About a 100 kilometres from Barcelona, southwards along the Mediterranean coast, lies Tarragona, a seaside city with an ancient heritage. Once a favourite with the Roman emperors Augustus and Hadrian, now, the modern city boasts clean beaches, fine dining and plenty of architectural and cultural attractions for visitors.
Even if you've never visited Spain, you may well recognise some of the views and landscapes of Cabo de Gata-Nijar from scenes on the big screen. With its hidden coves, peaceful farm houses and fishing villages all bathed in the unique Mediterranean light, it's the perfect location for a relaxing family holiday.
There's little chance of getting lost, so you can leave your map behind as you follow the state highway sandwiched between the mountains and the sea, and explore the charming, timeless towns and villages along one of Europe's most spectacular stretches of Mediterranean coastline.
Secluded coves with crystalline waters, unspoiled islands, medieval villages with winding cobbled streets, and of course, charming fishing villages. The Costa Brava treasure chest is overflowing with natural, cultural and historical gems.
It's summer in the mountains of Andorra, and that means it's time to dive, play golf, ride a mountain bike or any of a score of other sports and nature adventures. Summer weather doesn't stop the excitement at Grandvalira, Vallnord and Naturlandia ski stations.
If you enjoy your seaside holidays, why not take the idea one step further and try a floating hotel? From glass-floored bungalows set over the crystal waters of the South Seas, to chic ships at anchor on the banks of canals, rivers, and lakes, there's bound to be one that floats your boat!
Throughout July and August, when dusk creeps into the streets and squares of the fortified Plantagenet town of Le Mans, it brings with it a truly magical spectacle of light, colour and sound.
With over 1,000 islands dotting the beautiful clear waters of the Adriatic off the coast of Croatia, the area offers a stunning setting for a sailing holiday. Spend the day island hopping and exploring rocky coves, then return to harbour and enjoy an evening meal in one of the many picturesque villages that even in summer offer an escape from the crowds.
With all eyes on Monaco for 2011's second 'wedding of the year', we bring you a chance to get to know the tiny Principality with its air of glamour and exclusivity, and to discover some of the delights this haven of the rich and famous has to offer.
From July, the Futuroscope theme park invites you to join Antoine Saint-Exupery's mythical character in an adventure that promises to charm and enchant adults and children alike.
Nestled deep in central Borneo lies a haven quite unlike any other place on earth; here, in Tanjung Puting National Park, in the south of the island of Borneo, visitors can see orang-utans in their natural habitat and get up close and personal with these great apes – our cousins who share around 96% of their genes with humans.
The quiet golden beaches and ancient landscapes of the small island of Djerba are a haven of calm and beauty. According to legend, this land, where the air is full of the rich fragrance of the Mediterranean, inspired Homer when he wrote the Odyssey, and over 400 archaeological sites pay witness to the land's long history.
If you fancy getting away from it all and taking the family for a few days hiking in a beautiful natural setting, why not try the verdant Madriu Valley in Andorra?
This Saturday, the annual summer season of pyrotechnical displays over the River Rhine kicks off, offering the chance to see the River Rhine as you have almost certainly never seen it before.
Instead of taking the kids on holiday to the beach yet again, why not pull out all the stops and take them on safari? Let them see the great beasts of Africa in their natural habitat, stay in Masai-style accommodation and discover the world of the 'dark continent.'
San Francisco, considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, is a don't-miss destination on the itinerary of anyone who loves travel, architecture, gastronomy and the good life in general. Its welcoming people, the stunning landscape and temperate climate make a visit irresistible.
With the spring weather making days out a more attractive option, why not visit one of the many mansions, country houses and castles across England? We've chosen a few that you may recognise from their appearances on TV and the silver screen.
The pace of life flows slowly on this Mediterranean coast; the Roman ruins give witness to past glories while the Algerian jet set enjoy the pleasures of fine seafood, a leisurely water pipe, blue skies and sunshine.
Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon, is an island paradise set amid crystal clear waters, where the spectacular natural setting is enhanced by the historical and architectural legacy.
A trip to Naples would probably be worth it just for the chance to sample the best-travelled example of Mediterranean cuisine in the place it originated. There's more to the city than pizza, though, as the fine monumental heritage blends with a vibrant twenty-first century ambience.
Astronomical calculator? Sacred burial ground? Landing spot for UFOs? Altar for human sacrifice? Whatever the wild theories about Stonehenge, it's clear that the monument is an awe-inspiring work of vast antiquity, which comes into its own at the solstice celebrations.
If you're quick, there's still time to catch a flight to the Austrian capital and get your Christmas shopping done in traditional style at one of the many Yuletide markets that flourish on the streets of this beautiful city.
Recession? What recession? That certainly seems to be the question over in the United Arab Emirates where the new Ferrari theme park has just opened in Abu Dhabi. It's the first of its kind that celebrates the internationally renowned Italian sports cars, and a true paradise for Formula 1 fans.
Who hasn't wondered what it would be like to live in a treehouse? If you visit the beautiful village of Harads in northern Sweden, you have the chance to find out or, at least, to discover what it's like to stay at a Tree Hotel. Here, a new concept in luxury hotel accommodation has just opened offering guests a top-of-the-trees experience in complete harmony with the environment.
Set high on the sandstone cliffs, the Greek Orthodox monasteries of Meteora have looked out over the valleys of Thessaly since the fourteenth century, but the religious history of the place is far older.
If you're an art lover and get a chance to travel to Milan in the up-coming months, don't miss out on this exhibition that explores the surreal world of the great Catalonian artist.
It may sound like a fairy-tale, but it's no impossible dream: you too can stay in a luxury French chateau in a beautiful and historical setting, surrounded by a landscape that looks like an illustration straight out of a children's story book.
Autumn is on its way, and the vast herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle will soon be gathering in Kenya's vast Maasai Mara Game Reserve, ready to make their return to the Serengeti plains in one of the most impressive spectacles the animal world has to offer.
The Frieder Burda Museum in Baden-Baden is hosting an exhibition of around a hundred of the works of the great multi-disciplinary artist from Catalonia.
To visit the Colca Canyon in Peru is to discover a land of superlatives: the second deepest canyon on the planet, it's home to the magnificent Andean condor, a New World vulture with the largest wingspan of any land bird, and one of the world's longest living birds.
Its dingy industrial past has been left well behind: now, Leeds, with its busy cultural scene, lively nightlife, unique Victorian architecture and one-of-a-kind shops, is a city to be reckoned with.
Losing yourself in the Ankarana reserve in the north of the island of Madagascar is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Its great limestone massifs have been carved by the rain into intricate landscapes that will leave you gasping in amazement.
In the heart of the Tyrol, the 'Crystal Triangle' has become one of Austria's main tourist attractions. Grown ups and kids alike can enjoy the trails and workshops connecting three types of crystal.
The king of trains and the train of kings is still on track with around a dozen routes, including the classic cross Europe trail from Paris to Istanbul, the real trip of a lifetime.
Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, the Bremen Town Musicians... which is your favourite? Get ready to be bewitched - parents as well as children - as you stroll through the streets where these mythical stories are set and discover the scenes that inspired those great story-tellers, the Brothers Grimm.
Imagine taking part in one of Europe's most spectacular adventures: come and meet this magnificent animal in its last home, the primeval forest of Bialowieza Park in Poland.
Sign up for one of the cruises that take in the planet's least spoilt archipelago, and spend a few days of Darwin's bicentenary year in the ecosystem that served as 'laboratory' for the great English naturalist.