Take a stroll around the Jardins de la Fontaine, grand 18th-century gardens located around the water source where ancient Nîmes was first founded. Discover the Roman monuments and statues here at one of Europe's first public parks.

Visit Les Arènes, a twin-tiered amphitheatre which is the best preserved of its kind in France. Over 2000 years old, the arena once seated 24,000 spectators. Grab an audio guide to provide you with context as you explore the arena before viewing replicas of gladiators' armour in the museum.

Uncover Nîmes' rich history at the interractive Musée de la Romanité. In stark contrast to the Roman Amphitheatre standing just opposite, the Musée de la Romanité is housed in a striking futuristic glass and steel structure designed by Elizabeth de Portzamparc, showcasing artefacts and exhibitions exploring the life of local people over the course of 25 centuries. 

Based on the former Spanish Royal Collection, the Museo del Prado is Spain's foremost national art museum, which displays European art from the 12th to the early 20th centuries. Here you'll find a sizeable collection of works by Spanish luminaries like Velásquez and Goya, as well as Titian, Ruebens, El Greco and Bosch – among a great many others.

A trip to the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza makes a great counterpart to Madrid's other two big galleries, the Prado and Reina Sofía museums. Here you'll find works from the extensive private collection of the Thyssen-Bornemisza family, spanning multiple genres and centuries, from the Old Masters to American Expressionism and everything in between.

Visit one (or all) of the galleries that make up Madrid's 'Golden Triangle': the Museo del Prado, Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, each of which houses some of the most world's most prestigious artworks.

Sustainability is big in Portugal, which is reflected in the wine culture. Porto and the Douro Valley are famous for port and vinho verde, with vineyards for every taste. We love Symington Family Estates, a certified B-Corp working towards net zero, who run gorgeous quintas and wineries in the region with a focus on supporting the land and local communities. 

Take a fascinating tour of a working sardine factory. Pinhais & Cia is housed in one of the city’s most beautiful buildings in the Matosinhos district, 15 minutes by metro from the centre of Porto.

Featuring eight museums and exhibitions, WOW is a must-do. The Wine Experience will take you on a journey from vine to bottle, including a tasting at the end.

A wander round the streets of Vigo’s old town will take you back to its fishing heyday. The granite-built buildings are a higgledy-piggledy mix of tiny houses and grand townhouses.

This 17th-century pazo (Galician country manor) has been converted into a museum and is surrounded by stunning French-style gardens. Exhibitions include paintings by Galician artists and archaeological artefacts found in the local area.

Named the ‘Islands of the Gods’ by the Romans, the Cíes Islands are a true gem in the Vigo Estuary. Boat trips operate to a few of the islands: Rodas beach joins the islands of Monteagudo and Faro and is a highlight.

Santiago de Compostela's contemporary art museum, Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea, focuses on works from Spain, Portugal and Latin America, highlighting local Galician artists in particular. It's always worth a visit to explore the main collection, the interesting temporary exhibits, or the sleek modern building itself, especially as it's free to enter.

For a break from the city, head to the tranquil Parque de San Domingos de Bonaval. It's a perfect picnic spot, with gentle grassy slopes and mature trees, and provides a good vantage point for admiring the cathedral towering over the cityscape. Next to the park is the Museo do Pobo Galego, a Galician culture museum housed in a 17th-century convent.

As the end point of this ancient pilgrimage route, it makes sense that Santiago de Compostela has access to some well-trodden hiking routes. The final section of the Camino Francés, starting in O Pedrouzo or A Rúa (both linked to the city by bus), is a good option for a day hike. You could also extend it onto the Camino de Finisterre, which links Santiago de Compostela with the coast in a four to five day hike.

The Museo de la Evolución Humana explains the fascinating finds from the nearby Atapuerca archeological sites, which shed new light on the history of humanity. Most of the main fossils are held in the city-centre museum, but you can also visit the sites where they were found, about 15km from Burgos.

Make the 30-minute walk along the river bank to what was once one of Spain's most important monasteries, Monasterio de las Huelgas. It's still home to an order of Cistercian today, and visitors are welcome to come and admire the Romanesque architecture and the elaborate vestments on display at the Museo de Ricas Telas.

Given the region's strong associations with the drink, it's no surprise that Bordeaux locals love to while away an evening at a wine bar. There are plenty to choose from – head to one of the chic options in the city centre and try some of the local varieties.

The River Garonne bisects Bordeaux, so a leisurely stroll alongside it takes you past many of the city’s main monuments, including the huge reflecting pool at Place de la Bourse. You can also take a cruise along the river to see the city from a different perspective.