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Why Go

With 800 years of turbulent history leaving their mark on the city, Riga is now a heady mix of European culture as it finds itself at the very crossroads of Eastern and Northern Europe, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of cobblestones, awe-inspiring architecture and river views.

The cobbled streets of the city’s medieval core are a tangle of alleyways and cobbled squares overlooked by crumbling castle walls and soaring church spires. Spend time here weaving your way through the streets to soak up some of the real essence of this cosmopolitan place.

In contrast, the Alberta Iela is where you’ll find the exuberant work of Mikhail Eisenstein. The street is named after Bishop Albert von Buxhoevden, often described as the founding father of the city, but there are more than 800 incredible Art Nouveau buildings across the city. Elsewhere, Miera Iela is Riga’s bohemian neighbourhood and it’s where you’ll find plenty of street art, galleries, indie boutiques and great pavement cafés, and it’s worth heading here if only to check out the Laima Chocolate Factory and Museum.

The city’s Central Market is one of the largest in Europe and is a treasure trove of foodie delights from the traditional black bread and smoked fish to birch juice, sour cherries, local honey and hundreds of different cheeses. Wander around and absorb the sights and smells of local Latvian food and culture, and pick up goodies for a picnic in Mezaparks – a pretty green area along the banks of Lake Kisezers.

Riga’s Doma Cathedral dates back to 1211, with construction begun by Riga’s Bishop Albert, and it has been a work in progress ever since, with Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque and even Art Nouveau elements in one harmonious whole. Inside find works of art, and the Cloister Garden displays intriguing artefacts from Riga’s history. If you are lucky you can catch a performance on the famous organ, built in 1884 and still considered to be one of the finest instruments in the world today.

While you are in Riga don’t miss the Motor Museum. Beside a racetrack in suburban Riga, the whole building resembles a car and it’s home to some great examples from motoring history, from Model T Fords to vehicles once owned by Stalin, Khrushchev and Brezhnev. (The kids will love the interactive displays here). They’ll also love the zoo – the oldest in the Baltics and one of the loviest in Europe. Set on the banks of Lake Kisezers it’s home to loads of different animals, a steamy tropical house and a popular petting zoo. The Latvian National Museum of Art is a great place to discover the artistic heritage of this part of Europe, and you need to see the House of the Black Heads, built in 1334 as a meeting place for Riga’s various public organisations. It was destroyed by bombing in World War II, but has since been carefully rebuilt and behind its opulent facade you’ll find works of art, crystal chandeliers, weaponry and armour, as well as personal items of the Brotherhood of Black Heads including silverware and pottery. There’s more history at Mentzendorff’s House, a 17th century merchant’s house in the Old Town and now a museum where you can learn more about the daily life of the wealthy merchant, and the culture of the city in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Girona

The back drop for Game of Thrones series six, this medieval city is famous for its architecture, the walled Old Quarter, labyrinth streets and Roman remains of the Forca Vella Fortress.

Why Go

Tucked between Barcelona and the Costa Brava, its narrow winding streets add to the timeless feeling of this atmospheric city. Walk the city’s walls which span the eastern edge of the old town. Punctuated by old watch towers, the views over the rest of the city from the walls are quite breathtaking and stretch to the Pyrenees in the distance. 

Did you know that Girona also has a structure built by Gustav Eiffel? The Pont de les Peixateries Velles was built just before his iconic Eiffel Tower and spans the River Onyar which runs through the heart of the city. Stop on the bridge and admire the gaily painted houses which appear to hang over the water.

Girona’s Jewish Quarter is one of the best preserved in the world and the area in which they lived (until the 16th century), El Call, is a fascinating maze of narrow lanes which are still very much as they were 500 years ago. And it’s here, and Girona’s cathedral, which have become the must-sees of the city thanks to Game of Thrones. Girona is Braavos in season six, and the cathedral, which dominates the city skyline from its hilltop perch, featured heavily in the show. The only way into the building is to climb the long staircase (all 91 steps) up to its entrance, but the views from the top are worth it. The cathedral itself has a Romanesque tower and cloister, a Gothic nave and Baroque facade – an odd architectural mix that manages to be even more impressive as a result. Don’t miss the Art Museum in Cathedral Square which is home to historic and modern works, and the Museum of Jewish History at the bottom of the hill which retells the stories of the families that lived on the cramped alleyways of El Call for centuries until they were expelled in 1492.

Away from its famous film locations, Girona is a pretty city with plenty of cobbled streets and local cafés to explore. Take a seat in the 12th century Place del Vi and watch the rest of the world go by before getting lost in the winding streets which span out from this famous square, or head to the collonaded Plaça Independencia, lined with bars and restaurants, where the locals go for a nightcap. You’ll find smart shops in the Carrer Santa Clara, and the fascinating, award-winning Cinema Museum on Carrer Sequia.

Often described as a mini Barcelona, Girona is a lot less crowded as a destination and makes for a perfect base with the Pyrenees, Costa Brava beaches and beautiful Barcelona all an hour’s drive away.

Constructed over hundreds of years, and with input from da Vinci himself, the city’s system of navigable and interconnected canals gave landlocked Milan more access to the outside world. Today, only a few are still in use, including the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese where a host of busy bars, restaurants and cafés have sprung up along the waterways. For a great tour at a leisurely pace join a boat trip and relax as you float past the city sights. If you are looking for something a bit different check out Backdoor 43 enroute at Ripa di Porta Ticinese 43 – the owners of this miniscule canal-side bar claim it is the smallest in the world (it is 13 square feet in total and seats just four) but you can pull up and order from the bar’s serving hatch.

Perhaps one of the most famous paintings in the world, da Vinci’s The Last Supper, is a must-see in Milan. Unlike frescoes, which are painted on wet plaster, da Vinci used tempera paints on a dry wall after sealing the stone and adding an undercoat of white lead to achieve greater luminosity. It’s emotionally quite overwhelming – despite the fact that Jesus’s feet were lost in 1652 following some renovations. If you do nothing else, make sure you leave time to admire and appreciate this incredibly familiar work of art.

Commissioned by Archduchess Maria Theresa in the late 18th century after a fire had destroyed the original Teatro Regio Ducale, the Teatro alla Scala has remained as one of the finest opera theatres in Europe and a focal point for Italian and European culture. All red velvet and gold, if you can, try and take in a performance here, but if you can’t, do visit the museum, home to artefacts and memorabilia from the world’s greatest performing artists.