Cardiff wears its history like a well-loved coat — familiar, textured and full of stories. As Wales’s capital, the city hums with a lively cultural pulse but it’s the arcades that steal the show: winding rows of Victorian and Edwardian glass-roofed alleys, each one a little world of independent shops, vintage finds and cozy cafés. At the heart of it all, Cardiff Castle rises — a stony silhouette against the sky — reminding you that past and present here are always in good company.

Croatia's second largest city, Split is a Dalmatian seaside town brimming with Roman ruins and natural splendor. This Mediterranean paradise is also the perfect jumping off point to island hop or explore nearby beaches and hidden caves.