1. Vienna
The gorgeous Austrian capital is known for its Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, the summer residence of the Habsburg family. It also has a rich intellectual and cultural heritage – past residents included Beethoven, Mozart and Freud.
2. Porto
Porto, a small coastal city in north-west Portugal, looks just like a postcard. The city is incredibly picturesque and amazingly walkable, and its historical core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Plus, it gave port wine its name, and a trip here is not complete without a tour of a port-making factory, where you can taste some of its finest offerings.
3. Budapest
The city of Budapest is split by the Danube – in fact it was originally two separate cities, known as Buda and Pest. Loaded with architectural gems, the capital of Hungary has a ‘turn of the century’ feel to it, since most of it was built during the golden age, at the end of the 1800s.
4. Madrid
The elegant and vibrant Spanish capital is perfect for a little bit of R&R. Feast on the goodies at the San Miguel Mercado, visit the Reina Sofia or the Prado to take in some of the most important works of art of all time, and take a relaxing paddleboat across the boating lake at the Parque del Buen Retiro.
5. Amalfi
An old historical maritime republic, the coast of Amalfi is renowned for its incredible beauty, and the production of limoncello. The city is unique for its celebration of the Byzantine New Year at the end of August, as well as the traditional regatta, which it hosts once every four years.
6. Skopje
Skopje, the capital city of Macedonia, is a great choice for a slightly offbeat summer break destination. It’s full of historical monuments and archaeological sites, and for nature-lovers, the canyon of the River Treska and Lake Matka provide plenty of opportunities for exploration.
7. Berlin
Arty, grungy and sexy, Berlin is surprisingly affordable for a quick holiday, considering it’s the capital city of Germany. Amongst other things, it’s famous for its nightlife, which is among the wildest in the world, as well as its beautiful green parks.
8. Warsaw
Warsaw was almost completely destroyed in the Second World War, but over the years it has managed to build itself back up, and is now one of the wealthiest and most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe. The heart of the city is Market Square, with pastel buildings and open-air cafes, while must visits include Lazienski Park and Wilanow Palace.
9. Bruges
Bruges is just a short train ride away from Brussels, and it is absolutely darling. From boating on the canals, to exploring the beautiful cobbled streets, you basically have no choice in this sleepy little town but to relax and take it easy.
10. Riga
Riga may seem reserved on the outside, but as soon as you start unpeeling the layers, you’ll realise there’s a lot to discover. As a bonus, the Latvian capital is just a quick drive from the sea resort of Jūrmala, which boasts a stunning white-sand beach.