Alghero
Where? The north-western coast of Sardinia. Why? Once a fortified fishing village, this important trading port was under Spanish rule for more than 400 years. The Catalan influence remains predominant in the architecture, the cuisine and in the dialect of the elderly locals. What to do: In the old town, you needn't look beyond the cafe scene in the cobbled lanes and piazzas; below the fortifications, the harbour flourishes both as a fishing port and as a marina. Hire a car to discover the bays and beaches of a coastline that is more attractive for being less glamorous than the Costa Smeralda on the eastern shores. Where to stay: The five-star El Faro (00 39 079 94 20 10, elfarohotel.it) is built beside an old stone lighthouse on a promontory facing west over the Bay of Conte. B&B from 165 euros pp (£106). Getting there: Ryanair (0871 2460000, ryanair.com) from Stansted; from £39.99.
Ancona
Where? The capital of the Marche region on Italy's central Adriatic coast. Why? The harbour is one of the Adriatic's finest ports, retaining its charm despite bombing, floods and earthquakes. Many old monuments survive, and the historic old town has been restored. Close by are delightful seaside resorts on the Cónero Riviera. What to do: You'll need walking shoes to climb the hills that surround the harbour to the old quarter. Take the steep steps up to the top of Monte Guasco, which is crowned by the cathedral of St Ciriaco, one of Italy's most important romanesque buildings. Hire a car or catch a bus to explore attractive resort towns such as Numana and Portonovo. Where to stay: The Eden Gigli (00 39 071 933 0652, giglihotels.com) is a cheerful family-run hotel in a large hillside park. B&B from 48 euros pp (£31). Getting there: Ryanair (0871 2460000, ryanair.com) from Stansted; from £19.99.
Bergerac
Where? On the river Dordogne in Périgord Pourpre. Why? The regional capital, once a busy port for the wine trade, is the main market town for maize and tobacco. The green valley of the Dordogne cuts through a stony upland making this a popular area for British visitors. What to do: Most visitors come for the pleasures of the table; Bergerac wine, made from similar grape varieties to the neighbouring Bordeaux region are gaining a serious reputation. You may wish to hire a car to explore the river valley. Where to stay: La Métairie (00 33 5 53 22 50 47, la-metairie.com) is an ivy-covered 18th-century house in pretty countryside above a great loop of the Dordogne at Mauzac 12 miles east of Bergerac. Rooms from 100 euros pp (£65). Getting there: Buzz (0870 2407070, buzzaway.com) from Stansted; from £29.
Dinard
Where? A beach resort on the Rance estuary on the north-west coast of France. Why? This is the quick way to northern Brittany, avoiding the trials of an overnight sea crossing or a long drive. Dinard has been one of France's most fashionable resorts since the 19th century. What to do: Once a fishing village, it has spread out across the surrounding bays, with Victorian villas, a casino and tree-lined promenades like a Riviera resort. Enjoy the excellent beaches and water sports, or explore this interesting corner of Brittany. Don't miss the old town of St Malo and medieval Dinan with its cobbled streets and half-timbered buildings. Where to stay: Treat yourself at Hotel L'Ecrin (00 33 2 96 84 10 24) in a small village west of Dinan. Chef/owner Jean-Pierre Crouzil has two Michelin stars. Rooms from €105 (£68), dinner from 60 euros (£39). Getting there: Ryanair (0871 2460000, ryanair.com) from Stansted; from £29.99.
Hamburg/Lübeck
Where? The airport is at Lübeck, a Baltic port, but it also serves Hamburg, 50 miles to the south. Why? Two cities for the price of one. Lübeck is an historic Hanseatic League port, while Hamburg is a city that works and plays hard. What to do: Take a walk through Lübeck's old town; the medieval buildings have been extensively restored after war-time bombing. Hamburg has large parks, classy shopping and an enormous lake in the centre of the town. The Beatles once played in the clubs off the Reeperbahn, and the nightlife remains lively. Where to stay: Hotel Kaiserhof (00 49 451 70 33 01, kaiserhof-luebeck.de) is a smart conversion of two patrician houses near Lübeck's old town; B&B from 49 euros pp (£31). For a chic B&B in the trendy Pöseldorf district (Hamburg's Chelsea), stay at Garden Hotels (00 49 40 41 40 40, garden-hotels.de); room from 125 euros (£80). Getting there: Ryanair (0871 2460000, ryanair.com) from Stansted; from £29.99.
Jerez
Where? In the Cadiz province of south-west Spain. Why? The home of sherry is a delightful Andalusian town and a short drive from the historic port of Cadiz. What to do: Take a tour of a bodega, where the sherry is produced; perhaps Domecq, which produces Harvey's Bristol Cream - only made for the British market - or González Byas, whose first sherry was Tio Pepe. Join the locals in drinking dry fino in a small backstreet bar and you might be lucky enough to see a spontaneous flamenco session. Take a train down the coast to Cadiz, whose central quarter is a warren of small cobbled streets in classic colonial style. Where to stay: The Hotel Torres (00 34 956 323 400, hoteltorres.comhoteltorres.com) is well-located near the Villamarta theatre. Rooms from 31 euros (£20). Getting there: Buzz (0870 2407070, buzzaway.com) from Stansted; from £50.
Klagenfurt
Where? On Lake Wörthersee in the Austrian province of Carinthia. Why? This is the southern-most provincial capital in Austria, close to the Italian and Slovenian borders. The town centre was designed by Italian architects in the 16th and 17th centuries, with quiet squares and historic arcades. There are cafes, galleries and an opera house. What to do: The main action is by the lakeside on Wörthersee, Europe's warmest Alpine lake. In summer, take a cruise or relax at the municipal lido; in winter, skate on Europe's largest natural ice rink. Or head for the mountains to ski. Franz Klammer's home resort of Bad Kleinkirchheim is a short drive away. Where to stay: The Goldener Brunnen (00 43 463 57380, goldener-brunnen.at), across the square from the cathedral, has a homely atmosphere. B&B from 48pp euros (£31). Getting there: Ryanair (0871 2460000, ryanair.com) from Stansted; from £19.99.
La Rochelle
Where? Halfway down France's Atlantic west coast. Why? The historic old port is regarded by many as the most attractive seaside town in France. What to do: The arcaded streets of the old town have been preserved as a traffic-free zone. Visit one of the three large medieval towers that guard the port: the 15-century Tour de la Lanterne, Tour St-Nicholas - both were once prisons during the bloody battles when Cardinal Richelieu drove the Protestants from the city in 1627 - and Tour de la Chaine. Linger in the cafes and restaurants on the harbour front, or catch a boat to the Ile d'Aix, a pretty island with wide beaches and pastel-painted cottages where Napoleon spent his final days of freedom. Where to stay: Hotel les Brises (00 33 5 46 43 89 37) is an upmarket B&B; many rooms have sea views, and the large sun terrace has a harbour view. Rooms from 71 euros (£46). Getting there: Buzz (0870 2407070, buzzaway.com) from Stansted; from £21.
Málaga
Where? The main city on the southern tip of Spain. Why? The busy international airport is the gateway to the popular resorts of the Costa del Sol and to the white towns of Andalucia. But the city, the birthplace of Picasso, has attractions of its own. What to do? The Fundación Picasso, based in the house where he was born, is mainly a centre for research, but the Museo Picasso, which will house 182 major works purchased from Picasso's daughter-in-law, is expected to open this year. The town and port are overlooked by two mighty Moorish fortresses, the Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro. The city also has some excellent fish restaurants. Where to stay: The Parador de Malaga Gibralfara, sent among pine trees on a hill, has commanding views of the bay. Rooms cost 116 euros (£75) per night (00 34 95 222 1902, parador.es). Getting there: Go/ easyJet (0870 6000000, easyjet.com) from Stansted (from £11.50), Liverpool (from £18), and East Midlands (from£22); bmibaby (0870 2642229, bmibaby.com) from East Midlands (from £38); MyTravelLite (08701 564564, mytravellite.com) from Birmingham (from £29). Jet2 (0870 7378282, jet2.com) from Leeds/Bradford (from £29).
Murcia
Where? The inland provincial capital, 50 miles south-west of Alicante. Why? This region really is 'hidden' Spain. The Moorish city, on the left bank of the river Segura, is a friendly slow-moving place. The coastline is an anonymous alternative to the neighbouring Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol. What to do: Hire a car and head for the Mar Menor, Europe's largest salt-water lagoon. These warm waters attract water sports enthusiasts. On this narrow lip of land you'll find La Manga Club, a resort with three golf clubs, tennis centre, swimming pools, a football centre and 20 restaurants and bars. But do venture out to explore the towns and villages in the mountains. Where to stay: A one-bedroom studio at La Manga costs from £37 a night with Barwell Leisure (020-8786 3015, barwell.com). Getting there: Buzz (0870 2407070, buzzaway.com) from Stansted (from £50). Bmibaby (0870 2642229, bmibaby.com) from East Midlands (from £38); MyTravelLite (08701 564564, mytravellite.com) from Birmingham (from £29).
· Fares quoted are the cheapest we could find during the week of publication. They are subject to change and are sometimes undercut by short-notice special offers
