While Monaghan may not feature on the obvious tourist trails, it has a quieter alluring charm that will appeal to nature & history lovers alike. There are plenty of great things to see and do, including scenic lake & forest walks, museums & historic buildings, picturesque towns and villages, and one of Ireland's most beautiful castle stays.

Bristol is having a moment. Buzzy, vibrant and bursting with youthful energy, it has an infectious appeal and a cheeky personality. With an old town like something from a Dickens novel, and a vibrant harbour area with hipster cafés and fine dining in reimagined shipping containers, it ticks a lot of boxes for a city break.

The Irish Food Trail is a three-hour immersive walking tour which give visitors a literal taste of Ireland. It tells the story of Irish food, beer and whiskey through three courses in three venues.

"If I were French, I'd keep Nantes a secret too", says my husband on the last day of our trip. I know exactly what he means. As major European cities get busier, overcrowded and more expensive, and with complaints from residents about 'over-tourism', smaller cities like Nantes are still a pleasure to explore, and you'll receive a warm welcome wherever you go.

It's our first evening on Île de Ré. We're perched on a wall on the promenade and everything is still and peaceful. Boats are bobbing gently and there's barely a ripple on the water but in contrast, the sky is dramatic and awash with colour, moving from bursts of orange, pink and purple to the most calming shades of blue before darkness set in. It's heart-stoppingly beautiful.

La Rochelle has all the ingredients for a perfect holiday: a seaside location, a picturesque old town and port, and any number of fantastic bars and restaurants to while away the hours. It's neat and compact, with all key sights of interest within walking distance. It's a dream of a city, an absurdly beautiful maze of narrow streets lined in pristine white limestone buildings with tasteful pastel shutters. There's a good reason why they call it the Ville Blanche.