Life in Bergen has always been defined by the sea. Lying on the southern part of Norway's fjord-speckled western coast, the city descends from the seven mountains that frame it to meet a dramatic, fractured coastline of inlets and islands.  It's impossible to detach Bergen's existence from its seafaring past and present. Today, visitors flock to see the medieval harbour front, Bryggen, which sprung up in response to a flourishing codfish industry - one that saw Bergen become Scandinavia's largest city in the 1600s.

The Welsh capital is dominated by Cardiff Castle, which sprawls out into the city centre. At the entrance of the 2000-year-old estate, the masonry joins clearly show where Roman and Norman styles butted heads.  We laugh out loud at the interior when we step inside, as it is dripping in Victorian bling. The rooms are heavily decorated with marble, polished wood, chandeliers and the astrological whirl of black and gold. The many rooms eventually lead out to the castle grounds, where peacocks wander around, and we feel like we are in Alice's Wonderland.

The water's two degrees and my mouth, the only part of me exposed, is now numb. It's of no mind, though; the extreme environment is too beautiful to be worrying about small discomforts. I lie still, occasional wafts of my flippers my only movement, drifting in a current through the thin beginning of Iceland's Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park, as I prepare to glide between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. It's a tranquil time, silent and pure.

Bosnia has had more than its faire share of conflict, especially in the past 20 years. Bullet holes and bomb damage in cities and villages across the country serve as a reminder of the war that killed 100,000 people and displaced 2.2 million. But despite the deep-seated scars of battle and genocide, Bosnia has managed to retain plenty of natural beauty and charm.  The historic capital, with its unique mix of Eastern and Western culture, contains stories that will make your jaw drop. And, as for the countryside, its lush green mountains and clear rivers make it the perfect destination for sporty adventures on a seven-day road trip.

It's morning and I am geared up for action in the far-flung east of Poland's beautiful Podlaskie Volvodship, Biebrza National Park is 60,000 hectares of marshy flatlands, gentle river valley and moose-concealing pine forests. This is a landscape of wetlands and peat bogs, bordering the Biebrza river and home to hundreds of different bird species, thousands of insect species, 900 moose, red deer, wild boar, hares, rabbits and even wolf packs and solitary lynxes. It's going to be a good day.

There are those who go to Cheltenham for its superb festivals, the Regency architecture or its racecourse.  But there are many others for whom the main appeal of the spa town is its steam railway, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWR) which is a great way to start your weekend, exploring the area.  The 12 miles (19km) line stretches from Cheltenham Racecourse to Laverton Halt, a 17th-century hamlet in the Cotswolds.  The journey takes you through some of the most glorious Cotswolds countryside, where on a good day, you can see the Black Mountains in

The Axarquia is the area of Malaga province which stretches from Rincon de la Victoria to Maro. It borders Granada province from the cliffs of Cerro Gordo, which offer unique diving and snorkelling opportunities, to the mountain range of the Sierra Almijara, Tejeda and Alhama, which stretches from the coast up to Malaga province's highest peak, La Maroma, measuring 2,064 metres above sea level.

Southern France’s Dordogne valley is the heart of walnut country, where the humble noix (nut) has been part of the landscape since the 10th century, when peasants would pay their debts with bushels of nuts. A weekend break in this picturesque valley will worth it, and good time to go is in early autumn when the temperature is moderate twenties and best of all, there are less tourist, so you are free to wonder unhindered.  Just next door to the Dorgogne, is the Lot department which boast the same golden stone villages and breathtaking views.

Uzbekistan is seen as top emerging tourist destination and with thousands of years of history this country is waiting to be discovered.  Tashkent is overlooked all too frequently.  In the clamour to reach the UNESCO treasures of Samarkand and Bukhara, most visitors skip the electric sights of Central Asia’s largest city. Tashkent boast more than 2,500 years of history.  On this Silk Road crossroads, you’ll not only find superb museums and striking architecture, but also vast markets and green parks.

A holiday to Jardon isn’t complete until you complete the Golden Triangle – Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Petra.  With all offering their distinct features: The seaside city of Aqaba is Jordan’s coastal gateway with historic sites on our doorstep, Wadi Rum – the valley of the moon offers glittering skies, undulating dunes and peace of mind, and Petra’s rich ancient past is an archaeological adventure.  Using the seaside city of Aqaba as your base, Petra is just a short drive away. And situated near the desert highway, only a minor detour between both Amman and Aqaba, lies Wadi Rum.