Some 45 minutes south of Madrid, you'll find the city of Aranjuez, home to the spectacular royal summer palace and its extensive gardens.
Aranjuez: Royal Palace and Gardens
Madrid: Parque del Retiro, Real Jardín Botánico and the Prado museum
Madrid's central Jerónimos district is home to a trio of top sights – the elegant Parque del Retiro, the tranquil Real Jardín Botánico and the world-class Prado museum.
Madrid: Palacio Real and Catedral de la Almudena
Lavish, ornate and sumptuous, Madrid's royal palace is the largest palace in Western Europe. The adjacent Almudena Cathedral is a simpler, more modest affair.
Madrid
Sophisticated, elegant and walkable, the Spanish capital may lack a big, showstopping attraction. But it more than makes up for it with world-class museums, breathtaking palaces and outstanding food.
Krakow: Old Town
Centred around Rynek Glówny (Kraków's Main Market Square), the city's Old Town boasts grand architecture, striking churches and fabulous museums.
Kraków: Wawel Hill and Okól
Perched on a limestone crag above the Vistula River, Kraków's fortified royal centre is home to an impressive castle, a showstopping cathedral and archaeological remains.
Porto travel guide
Hip, friendly Porto is a foodie's paradise boasting pretty tile-clad buildings, superb cafés and restaurants, and a plethora of interesting sights.
Kraków: Kazimierz
Kraków's historic Jewish quarter is a bustling hive of hip bars, cafés, restaurants and shops, nestled among old synagogues, notable churches and informative museums.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Deep beneath the otherwise ordinary Polish town of Wieliczka, you'll find a showstopping subterranean spectacle of tunnels, chapels, lakes and sculptures, where almost everything is made from salt.
Kraków
Poland's second largest city, boasts charming architecture, a rich history, and a thriving food scene, making it a popular place for a weekend city break.
London: The Cult of Beauty at the Wellcome Collection
This major free exhibition at the Wellcome Collection explores the concepts of beauty through the ages and across cultures in the context of gender, race, age, health and status.
West Mersea
Colourful beach huts, traditional fishing vessels and huts selling fresh seafood abound in this quaint village on Mersea Island, England's most easterly inhabited island.
Little Old World 