Founded in the mid-9th century, Ulm enjoyed a long history as a free imperial city, ruled only by the Holy Roman Emperor with no pesky princes in between. An important trade town for centuries, Ulm was also the birthplace of Albert Einstein. Rising 530 feet, Ulm Minster has the world’s tallest steeple, the top of which can be reached via 768 steps. Ulm’s younger sister city, Neo Ulm (or New Ulm) lies just across the Danube River and is part of Bavaria rather than Baden-Wurttemberg.

Walk atop Rothenburg’s city walls or climb to the top of the town hall for great views. The Night Watchman tour is an unforgettable way to learn the city’s history. And our travelers also recommend the Medieval Crime Museum (Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum)—it’s gruesome but fascinating.

You view great wine as the essence of a good holiday. Your travel companion, however, is a beer aficionado. Will it be Paris or Munich? Stop arguing and go to Strasbourg, where you can have the best of French and German cuisine, including the booze. The entire central island is a World Heritage Site. Don’t miss the 12th-century cathedral or the storybook "la Petite France" neighbourhood.

Glitzy Lech is one of Austria's most moneyed resort towns. Pricy, posh palaces abound, but this ostentatious, old-school winter wonderland has accommodation and a place on the pistes for all budgets. Popular since the 1920 and 1930s, this former farming town has managed to retain its original character and charm. Its somewhat isolated location forces an often tricky drive in inclement weather but also is part of what appeals to celebrity admirers. Nearest airports are Zurich and Innsbruck.

Everyone who visits Paris for the first time probably has the same punchlist of major attractions to hit: The Louvre, Notre Dame, The Eiffel Tower, etc. Just make sure you leave some time to wander the city’s grand boulevards and eat in as many cafes, bistros and brasseries as possible. And don’t forget the shopping—whether your tastes run to Louis Vuitton or Les Puces (the flea market), you can find it here.

It’s nicknamed the Eternal City for a reason. In Rome, you can drink from a street fountain fed by an ancient aqueduct. Or see the same profile on a statue in the Capitoline Museum and the guy making your cappuccino. (Which, of course, you know never to order after 11 am.) Rome is also a city of contrasts—what other place on earth could be home to both the Vatican and La Dolce Vita?

The landscape that inspired Anne of Green Gables entices legions of lovers to Canada’s smallest province. Peaceful P.E.I. is a slow paced haven, full of distinctively Maritime delights. Red sandstone cliffs rise above gentle beaches. Lonely lighthouses dot rocky bluffs. Deserted trails beckon for romantic roaming.

Not the sporting type? You’ll still enjoy a trip to Stowe—just plan on hitting the spa instead of the slopes or the golf course. The area’s big ski resorts offer huge spas with pretty much any treatment you can think of—try all of them and pick your favourite!

Ottawa is a compact, clean, cleverly planned centre of culture and politics. And it's an ideal choice for a weekend getaway. Start downtown at the architecturally stunning National Gallery of Canada, and don't miss the Canadian Nature Museum and the National Aviation Museum. Rideau Canal offers boating in the summer and ice-skating in the winter. Gatineau Park attracts cyclists and walkers, while Byward Market blends old and new Ottawa.

Lonavala is one of the twin hill stations located near to each other, the other being Khandala. These hill stations are very popular getaway spots for people from Mumbai and Pune, which are very well-linked with Lonavala by road and rail. Monsoons are the best time to visit Lonavala/Khandala.