Midsummer Magic and Adventurous Escapes.

Ominous peaks, a rugged coastline and the ethereal magic of the Northern Lights make a visit to Iceland like entering another world. Charming Reykjavik makes the perfect base for a jaunt out to some of the geothermal wonders of northern Europe. Head to the Golden Circle for thunderous waterfalls and bubbling geysers, before soak away the day in the enveloping Blue Lagoon. Icelandic adventures are utterly unforgettable.

Ultimate sophistication awaits you on holiday in France. Paris is famed for its world-class art and architecture, while Nice pulls you in with its Mediterranean magnetism, Nicoise cuisine and endless waterfront. Wander vineyards and shaded boulevards in Bordeaux, or head to Monaco for yachting, racing thrills and luxurious resorts. Honeymooning? France is just the spot. Bon voyage!

With miles of glittering coastline, beautiful weather and al fresco dining galore, Croatia is a summer playground. Be inspired by the baroque finery of old town Dubrovnik and take the plunge at Plitvice Lakes. Head to the azure waters of the Adriatic at Split - a city thronging with bars and restaurants and the gateway to a coastline speckled with islands waiting to be explored.

With its singsong cities and the calm waters of the Mediterranean, its melding of cultures and abundance of warm sands, Turkey offers the ultimate in summer holidays. Istanbul is the beating heart of the country, with its towering minarets and delectable cuisine. Those after beaches will be delighted by Dalman and the proximity of charming Antalya to the Turkish Riviera.

Portugal is a rich treat for the senses. Start your trip with a city break in laid-back Lisbon, with its produce-filled markets, excellent museums and atmospheric cobbled alleyways. Indulge in fine wines in hilly Porto and take a river cruise into cinematic Douro. Ready to relax? Escape to the bountiful coastline of the Algarve for gorgeous beaches and world-class golf.

For a small island, Malta sure packs a punch. This burgeoning country is becoming more popular with younger crowds, drawn by its festivals and restaurant scene. Stay in a smart townhouse in baroque Valletta, or head to Gozo for remote resorts, stretches of sand and scuba diving. Whatever you choose to do, there’ll hardly be a cloud in the sky.

Windswept, salty and sunkissed. That’s what you’ll be after sailing from one Greek island to another. Spend your days on soft sand beaches, dropping into traditional taverns for souvlaki and a sip of ouzo. Revel in complete luxury in resorts in sapphire-roofed Santorini, or head to Crete or Corfu for quaint fishing villages and haunting archaeological ruins. This ancient country offers holidaymakers an experience straight off a postcard.

Spanning spectacular scenery and historic cities, myriad cultures and mashed-up cuisines, the United Kingdom offers hidden delights to every type of traveller. Whether you’re after the bright lights and showstopping sights of London, a quintessential seaside holiday in Cornwall or the rugged charm of a five-star break in the Scottish Highlands, a holiday in the UK will open your eyes to charms you never knew existed.

At the crossroads of East and West, Bosnia is diverse, welcoming and utterly beautiful. The rejuvenated centre of Sarajevo offers vibrant art, cafes that spill out into the street and the domes and minarets of the Ottoman past. Venture to picture-perfect Mostar for the iconic Stari Most bridge and five-star hospitality.

Switzerland is known for the finer things in life. Wherever you stay, there’ll be lakes to wade in, mountains to gaze on, medieval towns to wander through and fondue to feast on. Head to Zermatt for glitzy resorts and views of the Matterhorn, or to cosmopolitan San Moritz to kick back in ultimate in alpine luxury.

After a compact city break? The Netherlands should be top of your list. Its most famous city Amsterdam, cut through with canals, is packed with art, boutiques and candlelit cafes that make for the ultimate ‘gezellig’ or cosy feeling. Head to the Hague for a more high-end take on the country, with its excellent shopping, smart hotels and short distance to sun and sand on the North Sea.

Indulgent cuisine, romantic vistas, breathtaking lake scapes and ancient civilizations. That’s Italy. Whether you go for the cultural riches of Rome or Venice, the peaceful pace of Lake Como or the sophisticated style of the Amalfi Coast, this beautiful and inspiring country offers an enormous slice of la dolce vita.

A holiday through Germany stirs the soul. In this fairytale land, grass is greener, beer is crisper, architecture is prettier. Head to Berlin for everything from high-brow opera to underground clubbing, Turkish kebabs to Michelin-star dining. Munich has a more laid-back attitude and some of the most grand hotels in Germany for a well-deserved treat.

Steeped in myth and legend, a hub for watersports and host to an agreeable climate almost year round, Cyprus is a top European destination. Rest and recharge in Larnaca, with its seaside promenade and small-town feel. Or base yourself in ancient Paphos, where historic sightseeing meets lazy beach days under the sun.

A trip to Austria allows you to set your own pace. Waltz between the two powerhouses of Austrian culture - Vienna with its majestic music halls, fine restaurants and coffee house culture and grand Salzburg, home of Mozart and the Mirabell Gardens. Escape to a landscape of mythical mountains and glittering ice caves, where you can experience lake life and the ultimate in scenic hiking.

With the golden sands of its Mediterranean coast and the holy site of Kairouan, Tunisia offers a beach destination with a slice of ancient history. Seek out souvenirs in maze-like medinas and venture into the desert in a 4x4, before returning to a feast - a heady mix of North African and French influences against the backdrop of a glorious sunset.

Take the age-old nomad trail through ancient deserts, between awe-inspiring mountains to the rich cities of Morocco. Marvel at soaring minarets and step into shaded riads, welcomed by warm hospitality. A true heritage trip, Morocco will leave an imprint on your memory.

A tale of many parts, Kenya spans vast savannah, palm-fringed beaches and snow-capped peaks. It’s home to some of the most vibrant people on earth, who maintain their time-honoured traditions even as the modern world creeps in. Want to step back in time? Visit Kenya.

Pure adventure. That’s what a trip to Tanzania offers. Watch wildebeest stampede across the Serengeti. Experience the rhythm of traditional dance. Marvel at the majesty of Mount Kilimanjaro. For the finest beaches in all of Africa, head to the island of Zanzibar, to simply swim, snorkel and dream away the day.

Everything about Egypt is mighty - from the great pyramids to the wide Nile. Add to that a magical desert, a storied culture and one of the largest concentrations of Islamic architectural treasures, it’s an enticing destination for even the most well-trodden traveller.

Eclectic cities, magnificent creatures, breathtaking beaches and wondrous hikes. That’s South Africa. Whether you go for the contemporary buzz of Cape Town, the ultimate luxury of a savannah lodge or an iconic Big Five safari, this diverse country offers adventures for all the family to treasure forever.

Nature enthusiasts find their paradise on Madagascar. This idyllic island is home to landscapes of incredible diversity and more outdoor pursuits than you can dream of. For a more peaceful pace, you’ll find remote resorts and luxurious retreats in the Shangri-La of the Indian Ocean.

The home of safari. There’s no greater place on earth to experience the glory of the natural world. With sumptuous lodges, exclusive experiences and a front-row seat for wildlife, a holiday in Botswana is utterly unforgettable.

Go on a journey through time in Palestine, winding your way from fragrant Jericho, oldest city in the world, to the ancient site of Bethlethem. There you’ll receive a warm welcome from the locals and find lively arts and an excellent farm-to-table restaurant scene. Beyond the cities is a treasure trove of nature trails, Roman ruins and the Sea of Galilee with its raft of luxury hotels. An unorthodox trip, but a rewarding one.

Spectacular Singapore offers exceptional dining, iconic architecture, world-class shopping and a medley of cultures in one compact experience. Explore beautiful botanic gardens, be dazzled on the Marina Bay waterfront, dine in Michelin starred restaurants, try out new fashions on Orchard Road and get lost in Chinatown, Kampong Glam or Little India. For family fun, head to the island of Sentosa for theme parks and pretty beaches. Singapore has it all.

A cluster of islands peppered with volcanoes and framed by sun-bleached sands, Indonesia is a hotbed of adventure. Choose from a menu of experiences - scooter through the jungle, sail around the islands on a cruise, trek through the monkey forest at Ubud, surf in the choppy waves at Seminyak. Simply looking to relax? Kick back on any of Bali’s palm-fringed beaches with a smoothie bowl in hand and watch the world go by.

A beach lover’s dream. That’s the Philippines. Made up of 7000 islands fringed with white sand, there’s no end to hidden lagoons, watersports, captivating marine life and opulent beachfront resorts. Beyond the beaches, you’ll find emerald rice fields, smoking volcanoes and the vibrant capital Manila with markets, cathedrals from its Catholic heritage and gleaming shopping malls to fill your days.

The definition of jungle. There’s no greater place on earth to witness the rainforest in action, spotting an orangutan or pygmy elephant through the trees. With luxury resorts dotting its northern coast, delicious island cuisine and unspoilt beaches, a holiday in Borneo is pure adventure.

Love the Great Outdoors? Peru’s for you. Ascend from magical Cusco to Machu Picchu, one of the most captivating sights in the world. Journey over rolling sand dunes to jagged peaks, rafting, paragliding, biking or ziplining along the way. The food here’s an adventure too - with a magical mix of indigenous, African and Asian influences, it’s the true definition of fusion. Whatever you do in Peru, you’ll experience something extraordinary.

Everything about Uzbekistan is steeped in history - from the Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva to the remote fortresses of Karakalpakstan. Add to that ecotourism in the Nuratau Mountains, colourful festivals and luxury train excursions, it’s an enchanting destination for travellers looking for somewhere truly off the beaten path.

With its astonishing ethnic diversity and immense natural beauty, Pakistan offers an eclectic experience that will linger long in your memory. Rub shoulders with royalty at Badshahi Mosque in Lahore and hike in the Fairy Meadows at Nanga Parbat, take a road trip along the Karakoram Highway and sail on the alpine lake of Saiful - among some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on earth.

After a high-brow medley of winter sports, captivating cultures and capital-a Art? Canada is the destination for you. Experience a slice of Paris in Montréal, touch the wilderness with a stopover in Vancouver, mingle with the stars in Toronto. With a landscape this vast, the wildlife is sized to fit. Nature enthusiasts will revel in the chance to spot polar bears, whales and giant moose. There’s world-class skiing in Whistler, exhilarating surfing in Nova Scotia and, for a slower pace, swimming off the pink-tinged sands of Prince Edward Island. What will you choose to do?

The ultimate American experience can be anything you want it to be. Head to the big cities for bright lights. Think bold, brash Las Vegas, charming Charleston, jazzy New Orleans. If the road beckons, take the iconic trip down Route 66 for sun-blushed landscapes, towering peaks and rolling plains. Journey from the lush Pacific Northwest to sunny Florida and gobble up everything in between - from lip-smacking Texas BBQ to seafood off the dock in Maine. It’s your playground.

Extraordinary natural beauty awaits in the Seychelles - from its jungle interior to the coral reefs that dot its cyan-blue waters. Cruise between colonial Mahé and romantic La Digue, while away the day in a stunning spa or hike through nature reserves abundant with wildlife. Made for both relaxation and spectacular island-hopping, on a Seychelles holiday you can explore as much or as little as you like.

Heaven on earth. With its sparkling beaches, crystal clear waters and ultra luxurious resorts, you might just believe it about Mauritius. Head to the island for world-class cuisine, exciting diving, wildlife watching and boat trips to exquisite islets - the most romantic escape.