Getting away from it all in the Irish midlands: a spa break, a charming cottage in the countryside, escaping into nature, great food and perhaps a pint of Guinness or two... It's time to explore Ireland's hidden heartlands

It’s 9 pm in Segovia. The sound of bells and a dazzling evening light draw us to Plaza Mayor, the city’s main square. There’s a soft poetry to this time of day; its honey-coloured buildings infused with a dreamy, golden light as the harshness of the daylight sun subsides. We sit side by side on the terrace of a wine bar and sip our drinks.

Madrid is a capital city with a neighbourhood vibe. While it has all the requisite elements of a European metropolis: world-class museums, grand boulevards, countless great restaurants and bars, and a vibrant music scene, it never feels overwhelming or exhausting, even in peak summer season. There's an energy and an effortless sense of cool to this city, and we fall in love with it all over again. Architecturally it's a place of weird and wonderful juxtapositions - brownsto

It’s early morning on Paseo San Cristóbal. A warm breeze rustles the leaves overhead, and dappled sunlight casts dancing shadows along the tree-lined promenade. I sit on one of the ornate tiled benches, admiring the glorious views of the Judería and the Old Town. A person could never tire of that sight: golden-hued buildings infused in a soft morning light. A series of tall, elegant cypress trees stand like punctuation marks between the buildings, topped with a cloudless blue

The secret is out: Waterford is fast becoming one of the hottest places to visit in Ireland. And don't just take my word for it. It's been named the top destination in Ireland by Condé Nast Traveller, and has topped their list of the 7 Wonders of Ireland for the second year in a row. Not only that, it's often mentioned as one of the country's best places to live. I've come armed with some local insider knowledge, courtesy of a friend who migrated from the capital and has neve

King's Cross is my new favourite London neighbourhood. Lively and cosmopolitan, thanks to a large-scale regeneration project, there are countless great cafés, restaurants & bars, and the central location is ideal for sightseeing. There's a peaceful, chilled-out vibe to this area, and unusually for London, great value for money to be had too.