Luxembourg

Stretching just 82km and 57km at its longest and widest points respectively, diminutive Luxembourg is a charming slice of northern Europe that consistently ranks among the world's top three nations in both wealth and wine consumption.

The Grand Duchy's capital, Luxembourg City, has a fairy-tale quality to its Unesco-listed historic core, perched on a dramatic clifftop. Beyond in the rolling forested hills, a string of beguiling villages clusters beneath stunning medieval castles. Then there’s superb wine tasting in the Moselle Valley and invigorating hiking in the rugged, rocky gorges of the Müllerthal region.

Luxembourg has recovered impressively from widespread destruction during WWII, a sad history remembered in war museums across the country. Today, 49% of the population are foreigners, drawn here by the high standards of living, glorious landscapes and an ideal location at the crossroads of Europe.