Dublin to Bilbao

There is nothing like a visit to Ireland for a warm welcome, and in Dublin great literature, fascinating history and the friendly atmosphere make a stay here an unforgettable experience. The fair city of the song is a great place to meet the locals, enjoy the Georgian townhouses, explore the nooks and crannies of the castle, and of course to indulge in some serious retail therapy. And do seek out the Viking roots, medieval streets, city parks and beautiful bridges over the river Liffey - this is after all a great city to investigate on foot.

The attractive town of Cobh is situated on an island in Cork Harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the world. It’s a colourful place with an interesting history; Cobh was the main exit point for thousands who fled Ireland during the famine years, and it was also the final port of call for the ill-fated Titanic.

Tresco is the second largest of the Isles of Scilly, privately owned and best known for the famous Abbey Garden. Founded by Augustus Smith in the 1830s on the site of the old Benedictine Abbey, this extraordinary subtropical garden is home to thousands of exotic plant species.

The picturesque and historic town of Dartmouth is situated at the mouth of the river Dart, on the south coast of Devon. The town has a proud maritime heritage, home to the Royal Naval College, and the streets are lined with attractive 17th and 18th century buildings leaning at rakish angles.

The island of Guernsey draws visitors south from the British mainland with its more favourable climate and beautiful coastline. The capital, St Peter Port, is a lovely little town of cobbled streets and elegant architecture, and there are also several interesting museums dedicated to the island’s occupation by the Nazis during the Second World War.

Situated on the southern bank of the Seine estuary, Honfleur was once one of France’s most important ports. It was also a favourite location of Monet and the Impressionists, and art lovers may well recognise the elegant Renaissance architecture of the old harbour, the Vieux Bassin.

Lorient is an important fishing harbour and port on the Brittany coast, once home to the French East India Company, and was heavily damaged during the Second World War due to the presence of a German U-boat base. This is an excellent region for fresh seafood, and nearby attractions include the pretty Breton town of Quimper.

Beautiful Belle-Île-en–Mer is the largest of Brittany’s islands, and the wild coastal landscapes inspired some of Monet’s most famous paintings. This peaceful island benefits from a pleasantly mild climate, and has plenty of secluded beaches and coastal paths that are ideal for hiking and cycling.

Bordeaux sits at the centre of the world's most famous wine region, and is home to a beguiling blend of beautiful buildings, sophisticated gastronomy and high culture. It's a marvellous place to spend some time, whether it's a day sampling wines, an evening at the opera or a night on the tiles.

It’s not so long ago that Bilbao was a grim and unappealing place, scarred by heavy industry, but the Basque Country’s biggest city has reinvented itself as a cultural hub since the opening of the shimmering Guggenheim Museum in 1997.