The world (yes, even the bits you know) is odder, quirkier and more downright bizarre than you might imagine. Come with us on a journey to discover where the emperor rules the calendar, Hush-hush Hannah is a star and the howling wind is given its own special name.

Sophie Grove reporting from San Sebastián: This city is a Basque beauty but has a troubled past that has left bullet holes in buildings. But through food, theatre and a bit of beach life, a new, happier and reconciled place is emerging. photographer Salva López

Andrew Tuck reporting from Sapporo: With its drip-filter coffee, myriad craft shops and quality fishing scene, Hokkaido’s capital reels you in with a laidback lifestyle and a strong stroke of creativity.

Tristan McConnell reporting from Djibouti: Perched on the southern gates of the Red Sea and the route north to the Suez Canal, this tiny nation of about 900,000 has little to trade other than its strategic position. But piracy, regional instability and international rivalry ensure Djibouti has plenty of tenants from nations with vested interests, all eager to snap up a well-appointed spot in a 21st-century scramble for security.

Ed Stocker reporting from Córdoba: It may be Argentina’s second city but that hasn’t stopped it creating a new science centre and investing in cutting-edge architecture. And one thing that won’t change: its love of a salty sausage.

Robert Bound reporting from Chiang Mai: Thailand’s unofficial second city is a beguiling collision of contrasts: a young university town with an ancient, storied history; a town of temples and boxing stadia; monks and go-go dancers; bustling markets; and oases of calm. We found a quietly confident town on a very human scale.

Tomos Lewis reporting from Anchorage: Set among breathtaking natural scenery, Alaska’s largest city is witnessing the emergence of an exciting culture of enterprise and innovation.

Matt Alagiah reporting from Addis Ababa: Once a byword for all that ailed African nations, Ethiopia is again playing to its eclectic strengths – and its booming capital is at the centre of the resurgence.

Andrew Mueller reporting from Italy: OK, it takes a day – but what a ride. The train from Milan to Palermo jolts and shudders and even gets eased onto a ferry at one point. But when you’ve got a bed, view and some quirky companions, all is bliss.

David Plaisant reporting from Trieste: The ever-present Bora wind isn’t the only thing that provides an air of frisson in this intriguing city: it’s also down to its complex history and fascinating geography.

Fiona Wilson reporting from Perth: Having recently transformed from sleepy suburban outpost into a thriving mineral-rich boomtown, this Western Australian city is poised to reinvent itself again, with sustainability and quality of life driving ambitious new urban projects.

Josh Fehnert reporting from Warsaw: With its flourishing food, design and cultural scenes and a growing sense of self-worth, the Polish capital is finally shaking off the spectre of communism and finding that its groove has global appeal.

Tristan McAllister reporting from Bangor: Transatlantic flights in need of an emergency stop head for Bangor International Airport. But today it’s not only suspicious passengers finding themselves heading into town: people are visiting to witness a craft revivial.

From the future of on-the-road catering to connected concierges and hoteliers devising new models for hospitality, our panel of insiders offer their views on the world of travel and where it is heading.

Service stations are fun, serve good food and even sell petrol. No but really, all of that is true if you pull off the highway and enter one of these pit-stops. Here’s where to go if you want to enjoy slow food in the fast line.

Whether you want to wiggle through traffic or pedal off-piste and tackle rough terrain, your bicycle choice is of the utmost importance. From Italian-inspired city cycles to light-activity models, the two-wheelers of these companies will keep you on – or off – track.

Venetia Rainey reporting from Beirut and Batroun: Throughout Lebanon’s 15-year civil war and amid the current political strife, Beirutis have held fiercely to the legacy of 1960s glamour that the ‘Paris of the East’ was once famed for. Drop in to the Med-hugging capital or motor up the pine-dotted coast to discover the beach clubs serving up a slice of summer charm. Beirut proves that the best escape is often within the city limits – complete with anti-aircraft battery.

Take a circuitous route via India, Scotland, Turkey, Russia, Japan and the US for meandering musings on the singular pleasure of travel.

The restaurants that normally win awards are obsessed with foam and dry ice but a great restaurant needs none of that. Here we celebrate the places we would go back to for their food, great chefs, old-school staff, lively manner and perfect dining rooms. All food here is guaranteed craze-free.

Finding the best new retailers in town can be a challenge even if you’re a local. So we’ve scoured the backstreets and boulevards for the best shops in which to enjoy a summer spree. Here’s our edit of 10 fashion-forward finds from Munich to Minnesota.