Pamporovo, Bulgaria (Photo: WikimediaCommons)Bulgaria, often a summertime destination or pit stop for those visiting the southern part of Europe, is frequently overlooked as a great continental winter break. This needn’t be the case, however, as this hidden European gem offers both spectacular mountain scenery and winter sports at fabulously low prices, all with the very finest of international standards. Being so far to the south, this small country gets the best of both the Mediterranean sun and the Carpathian snow, which if you’re lucky, come together to make for a charming winter wonderland. There's nothing quite like blissfully lounging near a mountain top café and soaking in the sun before donning your skis or hopping on your snowboard and picking a path through an ancient snow-filled forest to the ski centers below.

A small triangular island south of Melbourne, Tasmania floats in the Southern Ocean with Antarctic winds bringing slightly chilly weather for most of the year. The island's shape has lead some Australians to cheekily refer to a part of the female anatomy as her “map of Tasmania”, but otherwise few people talk about this distant corner of the country. Rich in natural beauty and wrapped in a hint of wild, Tasmania is a must-see destination for all outdoor buffs, thanks to its range of with pristine national parks that can only be explored by foot. Dense rainforests with huge ferns as tall as trees will amaze you and make you think of the land time forgot! The weather can be a little off-putting for sun-seekers, particularly from May to December. While this may not be a part of Australia blessed with sunshine, though, the coastline is still one of the most beautiful in the country.

Bratislava Castle: Impressive and impostingIt’s hard to believe that Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia or, indeed, of any country at all. Among the approximately 400,000 people living there, it seems that half of them are either indoors or perhaps on holiday elsewhere. There are no subways and trams seem to be more prominent than buses. Don’t get me wrong, no complaints here; it's just an observation. On arrival via boat from Vienna, it is possible to walk, without getting lost, the kilometre or so to the hostel. The staff member who checked me in on my arrival was so bursting with information and ideas that it seemed she hadn’t spoken to any tourists in weeks! And that is a good thing for the uninitiated in Bratislava. 

Sunset at Cottesloe BeachOne of the hottest, sunniest cities in Australia, third most windy city and touted as one of the most isolated cities in the world, Perth is often overlooked by visitors. Perhaps its isolation has kept its secrets in the west, but those who brave the distances enjoy the uncrowded beaches, the relaxed pace and the endless blue skies that stretch over the Indian Ocean. Perth is situated around the Swan River, which is its lifeline. On weekends it is full of sailboats and windsurfers, while ferries cross from north to south and various vessels offer river cruises. A jaunt up-river takes you to the Swan Valley wine region, while north of the water is home to the city centre with skyscrapers clearly visible. This area is the central business district as well as a major shopping area and the nearby suburb called Northbridge is densely packed with cafes, restaurants and nightclubs. In short, Perth has it all. 

Moscow: Ancient town meets modern cityIntimidating, grim and dour yet crammed with the glamour of a thousand West End openings, Moscow means many things to many people. The truth, of course, is that Moscow manages to be all these things and more to everyone who manages to spend time here. From the gleaming neon of Tvserkaya Street - one of the busiest and best known streets of the city - to the drab out reaches of the Strogino district, Moscow is a city of never ending contrasts. And no where are these contrasts more evident than in the clash between old and new, the functional and the extravagant. Moscow is an ancient town that today is a veritable megacity. The bustling metropolis serves as a major hub for political, economic and cultural activity, and is a significant travel destination, and rightfully so.