Nowhere else blends the future and the past quite like Dubai, largely considered the cultural and economic heart of the UAE. From futuristic shopping malls to architectural marvels and man-made islands, Dubai is a place that’s constantly pushing the limits of what’s possible.

Don’t arrive here expecting to find aesthetic grandeur as you would in Venice, Rome, or Florence. Milan is more of an industrial and international city—as Italy’s economic capital, it’s a business and financial hub that’s home to a global crowd. It feels more modern than other Italian cities, and as a result, it has more of a pace to it.

Helsinki isn’t your typical capital city—it’s compact (home to just half a million people), laid-back, unpretentious, and entirely surrounded by nature. Situated between the Baltic Sea and nearby forests, this water-facing city is bordered by the sea on three sides and is recognized as a UNESCO City of Design,

There’s no shortage of advice online for Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain, so we’ve done what we do best by covering the best places to wine, dine, shop, and experience the local culture beyond the iconic sites.

Dare we say it, but we think it’s impossible not to love Edinburgh. Scotland’s capital offers everything you look for in a city, without the cosmopolitan bustle that can often be overwhelming in other cities. True, it doesn’t get particularly warm, but the chill is all part of its cozy charm.