Zürich, Switzerland

When you think of the Swiss city of Zürich, you likely think culture and cuisine, but what many locals love best about their city is its urban lido culture. Visit in the spring to see a completely different side to the Swiss, when office workers sprint straight to the lake or river after 6pm, strip out of their suits and relax in their favourite sauna or swimming spot. Springtime is also when wildflowers erupt over the surrounding mountains, making this a great time to visit, perhaps combining a Swiss city break with hiking or biking the mountains—or even making a side-trip to Italy via a bucket-list ride on the panoramic Bernina Express.

Stay: the historic, eco-certified Storchen Zürich is right on the water, with Old Town views and its own private dock.

Bangkok, Thailand

The busy and bustling Thai capital might not seem like an immediate match for bike-loving travellers. But in recent years, the city’s cycling community has reclaimed the streets, and the city has developed welcoming cycle routes and green spaces, such as Bang Krachao Island on the Chao Phraya River. Bangkok’s cherished 'Green Lung' comes alive in the springtime, when you can cycle through mangroves and lush green rainforest, before continuing on two wheels through food markets, or even on a night-time ride through the city’s neon-lit nightlife districts.

Stay: luxurious hotel The Siam offers serene cycling tours along elevated canal paths to Ayutthaya-era temples and floating markets.

Tokyo, Japan

Any nature lover knows that springtime is synonymous with cherry blossom season in Tokyo, but the Japanese megacity is actually blessed with 72 'micro-seasons', or kō, according to the traditional Japanese almanac. Among them is hotaru (firefly) season, a spectacular natural phenomenon when the glowing insects create breathtaking night-time displays of twinkling bioluminescent lights. The annual hotaru exhibitions, night-time boat trips, festivals and myriad other events make for a magical celebration of the season.

Stay: the garden at Hotel Chinzanso is one of the best places in the city to glimpse the glimmers of fireflies.

Sydney, Australia

For water-sports lovers, Sydney sits high on the wish list, with a world-famous harbour and an ocean begging to be sailed, surfed or kayaked. You can always rely on adventurous Aussies to continually take things up a notch, however, and Sydney's many water parks make it a must for adrenaline junkies looking to try the latest and most exciting aquatic activities. Head out west of the city for cable-skiing, knee-boarding and wakeboarding tricks at Cables Wake Park, or white-water rafting along the man-made rapids of Penrith Whitewater Stadium. Just be sure to suit up in your safety gear and leave your fears at home.

Stay: you’ll find Pier One Sydney Harbour Hotel beside one of the Harbour Bridge pylons—with nautical decor to match.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A tech-forward city dedicated to cutting-edge lifestyle trends, most travellers associate Dubai with futuristic hotels and glitzy shopping malls. But the city has some more analogue attractions, too; in fact, it’s one of the best birdwatching spots in the Middle East, surrounded by purpose-built wetlands providing a home to hundreds of exotic species. With birdwatching exploding in popularity during the pandemic, a guided nature expedition to Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary or a bird-handling experience with a local wildlife expert will offer curious visitors the chance to experience a very different side to this ultra-modern city.

Stay: nature lovers will adore Al Maha, just 45 minutes outside the city, in the stunning Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.

La Paz, Mexico

Famed underwater explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau dubbed the Gulf of California 'the world’s aquarium', and La Paz is known to be one of the very best places to spot whales, whale sharks and, from May through July, massive schools of migrating mobula rays (they jump several metres out of the water—a sight you won’t forget). Take a light aircraft to spot animals from the sky, or swim among them on a snorkelling or scuba-diving excursion with one of the city’s conservation-minded operations. Later on, stroll the beautiful coastal promenade, gazing at picture-perfect islets surrounded by reefs, then pop into La Miserable, the coolest mezcalería in town.

Stay: hip boutique Baja Club Hotel is Mexican-owned and sits right on the promenade.