A winter break in postcard-pretty Salzburg gives you all the magic of a fairy tale, with the UNESCO-listed Old Town dusted in snow, twinkling markets in medieval squares, and a host of Advent activiti

THERE is a unique welcoming tradition in the city of Würzburg, called Brückenschoppen: sharing a glass of local wine on Alte Mainbrücke. This medieval stone bridge is a popular meeting spot for touris

In December, the picturesque city of Tallinn becomes even more magical. Light installations and tiny illuminated trees brighten the medieval cobbled streets, while the Christmas market and its towerin

BETWEEN THE DENSELY FORESTED ZEMPLÉN MOUNTAINS AND FERTILE LOWLANDS OF THE GREAT HUNGARIAN PLAIN, TOKAJ IS PATCHWORKED WITH UNESCO-LISTED VINEYARDS. CENTURIES-OLD CELLARS ARE REVIVING PRIZED WINES THAT PAIR PERFECTLY WITH PAPRIKA-SPICED LOCAL DISHES OF FOREST MUSHROOMS AND MANGALITSA PORK

The Beatles visited the Austrian resort of Obertauern to film their 1965 film Help! . Despite a distinct lack of prowess on the slopes, the Fab Four got by with a little help from some new-found friends, discovers Russell Higham

Over the centuries, countless literary greats have been inspired by the Scottish capital. In winter, when the cobblestones are damp and the taverns are firelit, the city ushers visitors indoors to find warmth in whisky and a good book