Top 10 city breaks

Barcelona is a year round destination and with so much on offer, there is something for everyone. The wonderful Catalan welcome is very special from the start, as you amble through the pretty streets admiring the views and architecture before indulging in some shopping and exquisite gastronomy. There is also 5km of sandy beach to kick back and relax on. Stay at the Hotel Omm, which has a Michelin starred restaurant, a happening nightclub, cool hotel lobby bar and state of the art spa.

Described as the pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik is a stunning city with imposing city walls surrounding marble streets and baroque buildings that are perfect for exploring. The main pedestrian street, Placa, has a multitude of cafés and shops with narrow cobbled streets branching off up the hillside. The city, which became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, is the perfect city break, effortlessly combining culture and nature. Stay at Villa Dubrovnik, a small, chic and stylish hideaway set amongst pine, orange and lemon trees with stunning views of the old town.

Florence is a city full of history and culture. With striking buildings, formidable galleries and treasure-crammed churches, it’s a city that oozes luxurious elegance. Famous for its rich art history, it is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance and also enjoys beautiful views of the Tuscan hills that are within easy access for walks amongst the olive groves. Stay at JK Place, the perfect base for exploring from, this tiny boutique hotel is elegant and very centrally located, between the Duomo and the train station.

Istanbul is one of the most ancient cities in the world, and the only one on the planet to be situated on two continents. Explore the beautiful palaces, impressive mosques and maze like bazaars and take a Bosphorous cruise. At night, explore the old town and local restaurants, enjoy a traditional baklava with mint tea and soak up the city’s atmosphere. Stay at Four Seasons Sultanahmet, tucked into the maze of Istanbul's old town, a lovely hotel with only 64 rooms all nestled around a beautifully landscaped courtyard.

Perfect for a weekend away as it’s only a 3.5 hour direct flight, Marrakech is one Morocco’s most well-known cities. Set at the foothills of the Atlas mountains, it is home to the country’s largest souq as well as the busiest square in Africa, filled with market stalls, acrobats and musicians. Stay at the Dar Zemora, a stunning boutique hotel in the heart of the Palmeraie just outside Marrakech, which has peaceful surroundings and service that is second to none.

Just 20km from Nice Airport, Monaco is right on the Mediterranean, tucked in between the French and Italian Rivieras and just in front of the Alpes Maritimes. Monte Carlo is home to the famous Formula One Grand Prix, the Grand Casino, streets of designer boutiques and upmarket eateries frequented by glamorous visitors. Explore the beautiful surrounding areas including medieval villages, Cannes and the perfume factories of Grasse. Stay at Hotel Metropole in the heart of Monaco, first opened in 1886, which mixes classic Belle époque architecture with modern touches.

Synonymous with American style, The Big Apple has a buzz unlike anywhere else in the world. Stroll through Central Park, shop in Soho, take in a show, sip a martini somewhere fabulous or visit Coney island. Situated on the exclusive Upper East Side of the city, stay at The Mark, a chic Parisian-style hotel on the corner of 77th Street and Madison Avenue, it’s the perfect base to explore the city that never sleeps.

Reykjavik may be the largest city in Iceland but it is also the smallest capital city in Europe, the atmosphere is more like that of a small and friendly town. Visitors will love its gourmet restaurants, shopping on Laugavegur, the city's main street, and the fantastic bustling nightlife. Lava fields, geysers, waterfalls and glaciers are only a short drive away, so Reykjavik is a great base for exploring the natural wonders of the south of the island. Stay at Hotel Borg, located in the heart of Reykjavik, it was reopened in 2006 having been restored to its former Art Deco glory and is one of the city’s most famous landmarks.

Visit the beautiful Andalucian city of Seville, the artistic and cultural capital of southern Spain, where you can admire the architecture, visit the wealth of museums and explore the Alcázar. You can also eat delicious tapas and gaze over the cathedral from a rooftop bar while you sip Sangria. Stay at Las Casas del Rey de Baeza located in the heart of old Seville, with delicate and warm colours throughout the 41 rooms, this hotel embodies the history, hospitality, style and culture of Seville.

Cape Town is one of Southern Africa’s most cosmopolitan cities, retaining a strong European flavour with its historic colonial buildings, beautiful public gardens, eclectic cuisine and Mediterranean climate. The scenery is superb and the views from Table Mountain over the rugged coastline of the cape and the historic waterfront are truly spectacular.