Ghent

Fabulously funky, yet steeped in medieval history with step-gabled buildings on tiny canals. Quirky shops include a retro-Seventies wallpaper emporium.

Three-room boutique B&B Engelen aan de Waterkant (00 32 92 23 08 83, www.englenaanderwaterkant.be) has a double room for about £97.

Eurostar (0870 5186186, www.eurostar.com) fares to Brussels include onward train journey to Ghent.

La Rochelle

This historic Atlantic sea port comes with green credentials. Ride yellow bikes (free for two hours) around the Vieux Port with its fish restaurants or to the beach at Les Minimes.

Hotel St Jean D'Acre (00 33 5 46 41 73 33, www.hotel-la-rochelle.com) has B&B doubles from about £74.

Lviv

The old Hapsburg city in Ukraine has an air of Prague about it - but not the stag parties - coffee houses to rival Vienna's and stunning views at sunset from the High Castle.

From £345pp for three nights' B&B, including flights with Regent Holidays (0845 2773386, www.regent-holidays.co.uk).

Valencia

Only 100km (60 miles) but a world away from the concrete resorts of the Costa Blanca, the region's capital has much to delight. The dazzling glass and steel of the City of Arts and Sciences is complemented by Gothic architecture, and the nightlife is fizzing.

The Melia Ingles Boutique Hotel has room-only doubles from £47; book with HotelClub (www.hotelclub.com). Clickair (www.clickair.com) flies from Heathrow; easyJet (www.easyjet.com) flies from Bristol, Stansted and Gatwick.

Cologne

One of the oldest towns in Germany is dominated by the twin towers of its magnificent Gothic cathedral. The ultra-modern Ludwig Museum has an excellent collection of 20th-century art; next door to the Chocolate Museum, which offers liquid samples from a fountain, is the less-fattening Sports Museum.

Railbookers (020-7256 7532, www.railbookers.com) offers two-night B&B breaks from £219pp, including Eurostar and train travel via Brussels.

Utrecht

As well as the 14th-century Dom Tower and canalside restaurants and bars, this Dutch city has a very loud street-organ museum, the Dick Bruna House, dedicated to the children's author and the 1924 Mondrian-style Rietveld House.

Eurostar (0870 5186186, www.eurostar.com) via Brussels and Rotterdam return. Grand Hotel Karel V (00 31 30 2337555, www.karelv.nl) has doubles from about £133.

Gothenburg

Everything happens on the Avenyn, the main street, which leads from the 18th-century waterfront to the Museum Quarter. Or escape to one of the 1,000 islands off the coast.

The Gothenburg Package (www.goteborg.com) from £42pp includes hotel B&B and the Gothenburg Pass, which gives free admission to 20 attractions. Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) flies from Stansted and Glasgow.

Belgrade

The Kalemegdan Fort overlooking the Danube and Tito's tomb with its museum are must-sees. Discuss the Eurovision Song Contest in good-value restaurants and bars in the Art Deco city centre.

Holiday Options (0844 4770452, www.holidayoptions.co.uk) offers three nights' B&B at the Hotel Admiral Club from £439pp, including flights and transfers.

Bologna

This university city has two towers (one leaning) and a love of food that has earned it the nickname La Grassa (“the fat”).

BA (0870 8509850, www.ba.com) flies from Gatwick. HotelConnect (0845 230 8888, www.hotelconnect.co.uk) suggests staying at Al Capello Rosso; B&B doubles from £124.

Stavanger

A 900-year-old Norwegian city with an 18th-century wooden old town that is a European Capital of culture this year, so awash with happenings.

Skagen Brygge Hotel (00 47 51 85 00 00, www.skagenbryggehotell.no) has B&B doubles from £103. DFDS (0871 882 0886, www.dfds.co.uk) sails from Newcastle or airline Norwegian (00 47 214 90 015, www.norwegian.no) flies from Gatwick.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/holiday_type/breaks/article3370261.ece