Take your travels to a new part of the globe by swapping one city for another. Here are five alternative city break ideas you’re sure to love…

Torn between heading back somewhere you love, but also travelling somewhere new? Here are our top alternative city break ideas you’re guaranteed to love…

Swap Palermo for Modica in Sicily

Why: If you’re looking for a truly baroque gem, UNESCO protected town Modica is a firm choice. A far cry from the chaos of Sicily’s capital Palermo, Modica has beautiful churces, picturesque piazzas, pavement cafes and beautiful buildings everywhere you turn. It is also famed for its Aztec-inspired chocolate and has its own chocolate festival – why not time your trip with this if you’re a true chocoholic?

Stay here: Palazzo Failla, a charming 18^thcentury baroque palazzo which offers seven bedrooms each furnished in a warm aristocratic Sicilian style of a by gone era.

Swap Dubrovnik for Zadar in Croatia

Why: While Dubrovnik is undeniably beautiful, it is also a city that teems with tourists in the peak season. If you’re looking for somewhere just as beautiful but without the throngs of sweaty crowds to fight through or beaches packed with tourists, try the quieter coastal city of Zadar. A strong contender in our alternative city break ideas, it has a strong dining scene and key sights include a striking Kalelarga (main street), a Roman Forum and the Cathedral of St Anastasia with its bell tower. Not to be missed are the musical wave powered Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun light show. Also, just a short ferry ride from the city is the glorious white sand beach of Sakarun on Dugi Otok, an island with a lost in time feel.

Stay here: Hotel Adriana Zadar is a beautiful adults-only hotel with a beautiful pool, terrace and gardens. Relax in the pool and enjoy delicious meals in their a la carte restaurant.

Swap Toronto for Winnipeg and Churchill

Why: Swap a city break in Toronto with a trip where you can enjoy the Polar Bear Capital of the World – Churchill. We recommend you head here in Autumn as this when Churchill, which is located on Hudson Bar in the far North of Manitoba, welcomes the polar bears that gather along the water’s edge as they wait for the sea ice to form. You also have a good chance of seeing the Northern lights here – so it’s well worth a trip. As far as alternative city break ideas go you won’t regret this one.

Stay here: Prestigeholidays.co.uk has a five night stay taking in two full days polar bear viewing on the tundra, a historical tour of Churchill and beyond and an exhilarating dog-sledding experience from £4898 per person. The break departing 9, 12, 15 or 18 October also includes return flights from London Heathrow, airport transfers, two nights’ accommodation in Winnipeg and three in Churchill on a room only basis.

Swap Matera in Basilicata with Lecce in Puglia

Why: If you love this year’s Capital of Culture, Matera, you will adore the UNESCO gem of Lecce, with its breathtaking baroque architecture and scenery. It is the perfect city to explore on foot and you can visit a whole host of churches and ‘palazzi.’ Wander around the characterful shops and boutiques and stop for refreshments in the cafes and trattorias which spill onto hidden piazzas just begging to be discovered.

Stay here: Patria Palace. Formerly an 18^thcentury palazzo, this hotel offers exquisite local cuisine, beautiful baroque decor and an enviable location right in the heart of the city.

Swap cosmopolitan Sydney with Cairns

While Sydney is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most interesting places to visit, swap the cosmopolitan life here for a trip to Cairns – a fabulous alternative city break destination. You can dive in the Great Barrier Reef, visit the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest, ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway and go white water rafting.