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.

You might find the city charming or you might find it chaotic, but one thing is for sure—it is never ever dull. The best way to enjoy Hanoi? Pull up a street stall, order some heavenly food, and watch it all unfold in front of you. 

A combination of rugged landscapes, sparkling coastlines, and rustic villages has made Mallorca one of Europe’s top-visited destinations. Located off the eastern coast of Spain, Mallorca’s reputation has evolved over the years from a quiet, secluded Mediterranean island, to one of the first all-inclusive travel destinations, to a bohemian escape for artists.

The juxtaposition of ‘new meets old’ is thrown around a lot in travel, but Cairo takes it to the extreme. Where else can you see ancient iconic marvels and centuries-old mosques sitting alongside a rapidly modernizing metropolis? This striking contrast is just one of the reasons why few cities in the world offer an experience like Egypt’s capital.