Surrounded by hills, Bologna's city centre is still much as it was during the Renaissance: dusky redcoloured buildings, wide piazzas and covered walkways laid with marble.

Founded by the Etruscans in 600 BC, the city's main claim to fame since 1088 has been its university.

The city is known as 'Red Bologna', for its politics as much as for its buildings.

Bologna remains relatively tourist free, and the locals enjoy one of the highest standards of living in Italy.

A social conscience and cultural knowledge go hand in hand with a hearty appetite, and great restaurants. The Milanese and the Romans joke that only at mealtimes do the Bolognese fall silent.

Arrow Tours 041 983 1177, www. arrowtours. ie; Ryanair www. ryanair. ie

If you've done Barcelona, try Seville. . .

Seville, the capital of Andalucia, is Spain at its most flamboyant, the city that inspired the creation of Carmen, Figaro and Don Juan. Seville's impressive collection of historical sights includes the cathedral, the largest Gothic building in the world.

The Moors occupied the city for 500 years, leaving behind the Alcazar, a palace-fortress regarded as one of the finest existing examples of Moorish architecture. Sample excellent tapas in the many bars along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, or stroll through Maria Luisa park near the port.

Abbey Travel www. abbeytravel. ie, 01 8047120; Go Holidays www. goholidays. ie , 01 874 4126;

Aer Lingus www. aerlingus. ie from 26 March

If you've done Prague and Budapest, try Krakow. . .

having escaped the destruction of World War II, Krakow has one of the best preserved medieval city centres in Europe. The Old Town is a Unesco World Heritage site and the compact centre is encircled by leafy parkland. Situated on the banks of the Vistula River, Krakow is also a modern city, the third largest in Poland, and an important university centre.

The large student population creates a lively atmosphere and a vibrant nightlife.

The history of one of the great Jewish centres in Europe can clearly be seen in the old ghetto area of Kazimierz, and starkly remembered in the memorial death camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau.

Go Holidays; Aer Lingus; Ryanair from April . . . or Warsaw. . .Following its almost total destruction in World War II, Warsaw has been painstakingly rebuilt in the original 17th and 18th century style. The Old Market Square (Rynek) is surrounded by restored buildings and colourful three-storey merchant houses with Baroque and Renaissance facades, lively open-air restaurants, art stalls and the Historical Museum of Warsaw. The Vistula River divides the city, with the Old Town, the modern city centre and most of the attractions on the western side. The Royal Way is a four kilometre route from the Royal Castle in the Old Town to the stately King's palace at Wilanow. It bisects the central city from north to south and is lined with galleries, museums and historical buildings.

Arrow Tours; United Travel www. unitedtravel. ie, 01 215 9300; Aer Lingus . . . or Riga. . .

Riga, the capital of Latvia, is rich in history and culture, boasting the best concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe. The city also contains a diversity of other architectural styles, and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The largest city in the Baltic states, highlights include the Dome Cathedral, the National Opera and the State Museum of Art (Arsenals). English is widely spoken, and according to www. riganights. lv, women outnumber men two to one.

Nearby, the Baltic health and recreation resort of Jurmala doubles its population during the summer months as a popular holiday destination.

Arrow Tours; Ryanair

If you've done Paris, try Bordeaux. . .

In recent years the city has had a complete makeover, its once blackened buildings cleaned up and their honey tones restored. Silver trams now glide through the city and the riverside has been reclaimed. The gleaming facades of the 18th century mansions are floodlit at night. Bordeaux is a shopping Mecca, with Cours de l'lntendance for couture goods and rue Ste Catherine for boutiques.

Alternate Junes see the Fete le Fleuve and the Fete le Vin, where trestle tables line the quays and local produce is downed to the sound of street music.

Arrow Tours; Abbey Travel; Go Holidays; Aer Lingus