Head to the old port for a sunset drink. The repurposed area is now home to a vibrant, alternative scene with bars and clubs. We recommend Gannet, an old fireboat turned restaurant and bar and branded as the 'culture ship'.

Basel's cathedral is a wonderful place to enjoy a moment of peace and quiet. It was built between 1019 and 1500 in late Romanesque and Gothic styles and the interior is full of curious architectural details. Afterwards, head to the Pfalz viewpoint behind the Minster for fantastic views across the Rhine to the old town.

See the Rhine in style on one of the four motorless cable ferries that connect Kleinbasel and Grossbasel on either side of the river, all powered by the current alone. In the summer months you can skip the boat entirely – just grab a towel, put your clothes in a Wickelfisch swim bag and simply float down the river. Relax afterwards at a bathing house, or head to the old port for a sunset drink. The area is now home to a vibrant alternative scene with bars and clubs; try the Gannet, an old fireboat turned restaurant and bar.

Spend an evening at the Teatro alla Scala – better known as La Scala. One of the world's most iconic theatres, the Neoclassical building provides a suitably graceful setting for opera and ballet performances. 

Head to the outskirts of the city to visit La Vigna di Leonardo, Leonardo Da Vinci's small vineyard, which is housed in the peaceful gardens of Casa degli Atellani, a 15th-century mansion.

Milan has a long artistic tradition and there is no shortage of places to see it. From the oldest collections of Italian Masters at Pinacoteca Ambrosiana to the more modern at Galleria d’Arte Moderna as well as cutting-edge contemporary art at Fondazione Prada, there's something for all tastes in this creative and cultural city.

No visit to Florence is complete without catching a glimpse of Michaelangelo's David. Seeing him in person is a completely different experience to just looking at pictures – you'll undoubtedly observe the inconsistency in the size of his feet and limbs! You can of course see a replica of the masterpiece in the Piazza della Signori, but the original is now housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia.

Eating vegan in Florence is easier than you might think. Enjoy plant-based takes on traditional Italian dishes, raw-food restaurants, and gorgeous patisseries. There are even vegan supermarkets where you can stock up on goodies.

One of the world's most iconic museums, the Uffizi is a treasure trove of masterpieces from the Renaissance to the present day. Exploring its galleries, you'll come across the likes of Botticelli, Giotti, Caravaggio, Piero della Francesca and Filippo Lippi, among many, many others.

Get lost in Rome's web of cool, cobbled streets. Every corner presents a new postcard-worthy scene.

Cross the River Tiber and walk down the famous Passetto di Borgo to the Vatican City. Take the unique opportunity to look inside St. Peter's Basilica, the vast cathedral that can hold up to 20,000 people. You can also climb to the top of the basilica’s famous dome (up a whopping 551 steps) for stunning views across the city.

Rent a bike to explore Villa Borghese, an elegant 200-acre park full of tree-lined paths, Classical sculptures, a large lake, and beautiful buildings. The most impressive are the 17th-century Galleria Borghese, and a reconstruction of Shakespeare's globe.

Take a dip in one of Europe's most stunningly restored swimming pools, the Müllersches Volksbad. The building has an Art Nouveau dome and the steam rooms are full of Baroque touches like murals, stucco, bronze statues and ornate iron bars.

Meander through mature trees and open meadows at the stunning Englischer Garten. Stop by the food court for lunch or a refreshing drink, or watch the surfers on the Eisbach river negotiating the wave created by a kink in the floor of the river.

You could spend hours at the Pinakothek der Moderne discovering works from the most famous art movements. All the big names of modern art – Kirchner, Kandinsky, Klee, Bacon, Braque, Otto Dix, Picasso, Magritte, Ernst, Miró – are present in the museum's impressive permanent collection.

Take a trip out to the Jardin Albert Kahn and immerse yourself in orchards, rose gardens and forests that combine French, Japanese and English garden design. They were originally created by banker Albert Kahn before the Wall Street Crash, after which he lost his bank and his fortunes – including this garden.

Spend an afternoon relaxing by a fountain on the public chairs in one of Paris' many parks – the Jardin du Luxembourg is particularly peaceful.

The palatial Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris's Sixth Arrondissement is a 57-acre garden commissioned by The French queen, Marie de Medici. Kick back under the shade of horse chestnut trees or on the low-slung chairs surrounding the fountain, and in springtime, admire colourful flowers and fragrant orchard fruit trees.