This bustling riverfront town offers good old-fashioned Southern hospitality, old-world charm and a treasure trove of discoveries for Civil War buffs. To really get the feel of another era, stroll through the National Historic District, a 28-block stretch of restored Victorian homes, gardens and gazebos, and tour the house museums in Heritage Corner. Situated on the Chattahoochee River, Columbus offers a mixture of old and new with the lovely 12-mile Columbus Riverwalk, which includes the Chattahoochee Promenade, a walking tour of historical markers. A chief supplier for the Confederate Army, the town's Civil War history is on display in myriad museums and historic sites like Port Columbus Civil War Naval Centre, which contains some of the Civil War's most important artifacts. But it's not all just war memorabilia: Columbus boasts a rich cultural side, with opera, symphony and a performing arts centre. And for family fun, head to the Coca-Cola Space Museum for a simulated flight and a look at the first Coke machine used in outer space.

Porto Seguro is as vibrant as any part of Brazil.  A schooner will take you from the bank of the city's Buranhem River 15 miles out to the Recife de Fora Marine Park for an exploration at sea.  A city stairway will guide you up to the Cidade Historica to take it all in from above, alongside Capoeira demonstrations.  And the Passarela Do Alcool, a street fair filled with craft baskets, restaurants and enthusiastic performers will invite you to participate in Brazil's cultural tradition.

Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, has become an increasingly popular place to visit in recent years, with a warm Mediterranean climate in spite of its place facing the Atlantic Ocean. Full of bleached white limestone buildings and intimate alleyways, Lisbon's mix of traditional architecture and contemporary culture makes it the perfect place for a family holiday. Things to do in Lisbon: As Portugal's capital, there is a lot to see and do in Lisbon. Even exploring the city centre will take a few days out of a family holiday as there is no real central district, although Praça do Comércio is a good central place to start, in Baxia, or Rossio, the city's main square which has a sort of Trafalgar Square feel to it. Or you might try climbing up the Cristo Rei, a huge statue of Christ with spectacular views across the whole city. The Castelo de São Jorge also offers great views and isn't quite such a steep climb. A short tram ride to the west of Lisbon will also bring you to Belem, where you can explore attractions like the Belem Tower and the Belem Cultural Centre, which features a fantastic art collection including works by Dali, Picasso, Warhol and Magritte. In downtown Lisbon, you'll also want to visit the Gulbenkian, which has to be Portugal's answer to the British Museum full of fascinating cultural artifacts and with some superb gardens in the grounds. It's possible to have a fascinating educational family holiday in Lisbon, and there are also plenty of great beaches to work on your tan.

From Shoreditch’s swaggering style to Camden’s punky vibe and chic Portobello Road, London is many worlds in one. The city’s energy means that no two days are the same. Explore royal or historic sites, tick off landmarks from your bucket list, eat and drink in exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants, enjoy a pint in a traditional pub, or get lost down winding cobbled streets and see what you stumble across – when it comes to London, the possibilities are endless.