Mainland Greece is finally having its main-character moment as a destination to rival its well-hopped island counterparts. And that’s largely thanks to a combination of great food, vintage shops and artful new openings. Not forgetting, of course, the wealth of ancient ruins on which its notability stands. Seeing the Acropolis soaring above the city as golden hour hits is mesmerising, particularly from the vantage point of an open-air rooftop bar. (For a closer look at the most famous Athenian landmark, an early start or late afternoon is necessary to avoid the conveyor-belt of tourist trips.) The slightly gritty, hugely creative edge of the city makes its zig-zagging cobbled streets – lined with cool vinyl and bookstores – endlessly stimulating to stroll. In the low-key neighbourhood of Psyri, a sublime Neoclassic mansion has been transformed into the boutique, nine-bedroom Monument Hotel Athens, where frescoed ceilings top contemporary, sculptural furnishings. Head towards the shore and the grittier, graffitied atmosphere of the city gives way to a revived, glamorous Riviera, where glittering resorts whisk guests back to the golden-age opulence of the 1970s.

monumenthotelathens.com

Sometimes referred to as the “second” capital of Belgium and more enticingly the “City of Diamonds”, Antwerp is stepping into the spotlight. It is a port city where brilliant design meets cultural riches and an eminent culinary offering (it boasts 17 Michelin-starred restaurants), alongside a burgeoning luxe hotel scene. No fewer than four of those Michelin stars bejewel Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp a 13th-century monastery recently unveiled as a sanctuary of a hotel beside the city’s Botanic Gardens. With five restaurants in its historic walls, it’s a good place to embark on a gastronomic exploration. Start at Hertog Jan, the two Michelin-star restaurant where guests can enjoy a three-hour Omakase experience, blending local West Flemish ingredients, grown in the monastery’s greenhouse and garden, with world-class culinary methods. Two more of the hotel’s restaurants – Fine Fleur and Het Gebaar – each boast a star a piece. The state-of-the-art spa – particularly the dazzling glasshouse swimming pool – is a serene spot to unwind after a day walking the city.

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Encircled by the Andes, Cuenca is a laid-back treasure trove of a city that acts as a starting point to discover Ecuador’s high concentration of world-famous wonders and rich biodiversity. (From its Pacific coastline and whale-watching to the cloud forest, the Galapagos islands and a vast swathe of the Amazon.) Unesco-recognised, the cobbled city’s architecture is beautifully preserved, with the triple-domed Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception taking centre stage in the skyline, while down below vibrant plazas are filled with artisan market stalls. The boutique Mansion Alcazar is an example of the classic, bygone grandeur of the old town that has been smartly restored. But a visit to the city should delve into the country’s pre-colonial history, at places such as the Museum of Aboriginal Cultures, the Pumapungo Museum and the Inca ruins in the Archaeological Park.

boutiquehotelmansionalcazar.com

The Basque County seaside city of Biarritz has been undergoing an elegant resurgence of late, combining with the thriving surf scene of its Bay of Biscay setting. The most notable recent opening is the cliffside Regina Experimental, a resplendent belle époque property with postcard views that has been thoughtfully but vividly reimagined by the hotel group. An incredible 15-metre-high atrium with Eiffel glass roof bathes the hotel in natural light. Decked in white, blue and mint-green with Art Deco touches, the bedrooms front either the ocean or the prestigious Biarritz golf course. With much to offer by way of entertainment, there is the brasserie Frenchie Biarritz, a vibey bar evoking the Roaring Twenties complete with a centrepiece piano, a spa, and an outdoor swimming pool (which is decidedly calmer than the neighbouring Atlantic).

reginaexperimental.com