Spain
Hiding in the foothills of the Pyrenees, and often overlooked by foreign tourists, this protected valley is sprinkled with Unesco-listed churches from the 12th century. It is also a gateway to the dramatic Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park where a week won't be long enough to fit in all the hiking, cycling, adventuring and bird-watching on offer.
Avoid the familiar, round up the family and go there in the summer.
Romanesque churches:
whc.unesco.org/en/list/988/
www.centreromanic.com/welcome?set_language=en
Park:
+34 973696154
reddeparquesnacionales.mma.es/
Google map: bit.ly/MI9FBo