South of Garmisch-Partenkirchen on the Austrian border lies Germany's highest mountain, Zugspitze, rising nearly 10,000 feet and offering gorgeous glacier-top skiing. The towns of Garmisch and Partenkirchen used to be separate, but were merged for the 1936 Winter Olympics. With almost 75 miles of downhill runs of all difficulty levels, Zugspitze also has 68 miles of cross-country trails, a terrain park and Germany's first superpipe. It's super cool to say you were skiing in Garmisch, so be sure to spread the word upon your return.

Running along Germany’s southern border with Austria, the Bavarian Alps are one of the country’s most beautiful areas. Skiing is, naturally, one of the favorite pastimes. You’ll find Germany’s tallest mountain, Zugspitze, rising more than 9,700 feet in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district (also a great hiking area in summer). Berchtesgadener Land (home to Watzmann, Germany’s third-highest peak) is another major ski area. Hochwanner, the country’s #2 mountain, is also in the Alps.

Skiing at Hahnenkamm and the Kitzbühler Horn, Kitzbühl's two primary ski areas, is the thing to do during the town's winter season. Boasting more than 60 lifts, Kitzbühl has slopes for everyone from beginners to professionals, who gather annually at Die Strief for the skiing World Cup.

Coveted by empires and republics throughout its history, Innsbruck was the seat of the imperial court of Maximilian I by the end of the 15th century. Trams make getting around the city quick, efficient and cheap. Explore the Tyrolean capital's history at Archduke Ferdinand II's 10th-century Schloss Ambras, the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum, the grand 15th-century Imperial Palace and Maximilian I's famous Golden Roof. One of Europe's most idyllic cities, Innsbruck is nestled in the heart of the Alps.

It’s been 200 years or so since he lived here, but Mozart is still very much Salzburg’s favourite son. Visit the composer’s residence and birthplace, then explore the Altstadt (Old City), taking in the baroque architecture. If your musical tastes run more "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens" than "Requiem in D Minor," catch one of the many Sound of Music tours and follow in the footsteps of the Von Trapps.

Everyone who visits Paris for the first time probably has the same punchlist of major attractions to hit: The Louvre, Notre Dame, The Eiffel Tower, etc. Just make sure you leave some time to wander the city’s grand boulevards and eat in as many cafes, bistros and brasseries as possible. And don’t forget the shopping—whether your tastes run to Louis Vuitton or Les Puces (the flea market), you can find it here.

It’s nicknamed the Eternal City for a reason. In Rome, you can drink from a street fountain fed by an ancient aqueduct. Or see the same profile on a statue in the Capitoline Museum and the guy making your cappuccino. (Which, of course, you know never to order after 11 am.) Rome is also a city of contrasts—what other place on earth could be home to both the Vatican and La Dolce Vita?

From Shoreditch’s swaggering style to Camden’s punky vibe and chic Portobello Road, London is many worlds in one. The city’s energy means that no two days are the same. Explore royal or historic sites, tick off landmarks from your bucket list, eat and drink in exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants, enjoy a pint in a traditional pub, or get lost down winding cobbled streets and see what you stumble across – when it comes to London, the possibilities are endless.

Featuring limestone cliffs, cave systems (the largest of which—the Hundidero-Gato complex —has prehistoric origins), and deep gorges, it’s no wonder that Sierra de Grazalema is considered to be one of Spain’s most stunning ecological landscapes. Budding botanists can lose themselves in more than 1,300 different species of flora, while birders will delight in the prospect of seeing communities of Bonelli’s eagles and the endangered Egyptian vulture. More into mammals? The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is also home to genets, mountain goats, and otters

The first time you go to New York, go ahead and be a sight-seer—everyone should visit the Statue of Liberty, the Met, Times Square, etc. But on a return trip, pick a neighbourhood and go deep. You’ll find hole-in-the-wall bars, great delis, quirky shops… exploring the non-touristy side of New York is an incredibly rewarding experience for a traveller.