First impressions of Marseille... A sparkly sea with boats bobbing in the harbour.  Sunny day vibes at the old port - people sitting with their legs dangling over the edge, chatting and slurping ice-creams before they melt in the afternoon sun. Brazilian buskers rocking a bossa nova beat on the pier. An infectious exuberance and energy in the air. It was love at first sight.

Utrecht: a fantastic alternative city break to Amsterdam. Compact & bike-friendly with cool cafes & bars and some great restaurants

There is something otherworldly and cinematic about Matera. A dizzying maze of alleyways, hidden passages, sleepy squares, tunnels & terrace

It's a stunning city, boasting a trove of exuberant Baroque buildings and picturesque piazzas. Yet it never feels showy...

We wander through the labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets that make up Monopoli's historic centre. It's siesta-time and the city is silent

Quirky, arty, bohemian and beautiful, there are a myriad of reasons why you should visit one of France's most underrated cities.

We pull up to the door on a cold, wet January afternoon but our mood changes as we enter the cosy festive foyer with an open fire

Lisbon & Sintra: travel tips on & off the beaten track. Unmissable sights, great restaurants, rooftop bars & best places to catch a sunset

3 days in London's coolest neighbourhoods: hotel with a view, immersive art, incredible food market, fantastic restaurants & a secret tour

It's a sunny Sunday afternoon as we make our way to Canal Saint-Martin. Tables and chairs spill out onto the pavements & the narrow streets

Guide to getting the best of the Venice Biennale. Insider tips on the best time to visit & must-see itineraries

One of Italy's most vibrant cities, visit Bologna for its great food, lively bars, world-class art & beautiful colonnaded streets

Parma is a city that never fails to delight, often in unexpected ways. Neat, compact & beautifully preserved with a youthful vibe

Getting the best out of your city break in Milan: an introduction to its coolest neighbourhoods, must-see sights, culture, food and wine

Stylish, elegant & effortlessly cool, Turin is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Italy with a vibrant nightlife & Alpine setting

Its finest moments can be found, not in the tick-the-box tourists sights, but entirely for free in the hidden courtyards & tiny piazzas

Top picks in London - a guide to some of the best cafés and restaurants the capital has to offer.

After about three hours in Toulouse we were ready to pack in the day jobs and sell all our worldly goods to make this our new home. It's...

Beat the crowds and enjoy a more authentic experience on your city break in Carcassonne, France's second most visited city after Paris

It's the small things that make me come back again and again to Paris like the picture-perfect jazz vinyl store on the corner, the friendly, knowledgeable staff in the natural wine store or the perfect espresso standing at the bar in a crowded café.

Exploring the hidden treasures of the outer neighbourhoods in Rome - ancient ruins, a unique architectural experience and art museums without any queues. Also featured: a superb & central hotel and the best Carbonara in the city...

Everything you want in a city break: world-class museums & galleries, beautiful buildings, river walks and incredible food & wine

Think wintry strolls along picturesque canals followed by hot chocolate in cosy cafés or sipping mulled wine & munching on roast chestnuts

Lucca has everything you expect from Tuscany: grand piazzas, tiny squares, beautiful churches, terracotta-coloured buildings& narrow streets

Bologna is a vibrant university town of magnificent squares, incredible food, world-class public sculpture & majestic buildings

The art, food, culture and landscape of Mantua - one of Italy's most beautiful cities

What can I say? Amazing food, stunning landscapes, hospitable people and world-class art & architecture

London is the city that leaves you wanting more. There is always something new to discover and no two trips are ever the same.

Bicycles, charming neighbourhoods, canal cruises, wine bars, hipster cafés, world-class art: just some of the things on offer...

A designated World Heritage site, Bordeaux is a beautifully elegant city with majestic buildings, and fantastic wine bars and restaurants.

The medieval city of Montpellier is the perfect spot for a weekend break: elegant & laid-back with loads of great places to eat & drink

Vast, noisy and charismatic; a feast for the senses & the soul - Rome is the essence of all the good things in life. There's nowhere like it