Slovenia's capital is a city of two halves, divided by the cafe-lined Ljubljanica River, with the old town on one side and the lively commercial district on the other. Green, picturesque and compact, Ljubljana has a remarkably intimate old-world charm, with all the theatres, museums and galleries you'd expect from a capital city (it's also home to one of the world's oldest philharmonic orchestras). 

Croatia's capital, Zagreb, is a walkable city, shrouded in leafy trees and dotted with green city parks. The charming red-roofed upper town, with its conical turrets and church spires, splays out into an urban sprawl of glassy skyscrapers and brutalist architecture, against the backdrop of the verdant Sljeme and Medvednica mountains.

Often referred to as the pearl of the Istrian Peninsula, Rovinj is a picture-perfect Croatian seaside village with winding, cobblestone lanes and colourful buildings. While being better known for its sand beaches than historic landmarks, the impressive St. Euphemia Cathedral marks the highest point and is Istria's tallest church tower at 61 metres. 

Surrounded by the Alps, the grand city of Turin has elegant tree-lined boulevards and vast cobbled squares. Once Italy’s manufacturing powerhouse, it’s now known for its modern art and live music, as well as its pioneering food scene.