14 Amazing facts about France You probably never know

Happiest cities in the world

And things to do in each cities

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen Nyhavn district on a cool night

Best things: Sup a beer at Nyhavn, check the hip restaurants, bars and boutiques on emerging Jaegersborggade, and skip Noma for more affordable Nordic cuisine at Manfreds & Vin (manfreds.dk) or Host (cofoco.dk). The Meatpacking District is party central.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne @ night

Best things: As well as being a great place to live, Melbourne makes a super visit. Genuinely cosmopolitan shopping, a whizz foodie scene (check out the Italian eateries on Lygon Street), Ned Kelly's last haunt at Old Melbourne Gaol ("Such is life ... ") and top sporting events such as the Australian Open, Melbourne Grand Prix and 2015 Cricket World Cup seal the deal.

Florianopolis, Brazil

Best things: Brazil is enjoying a big couple of years, hosting the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. Although not as well-known as Rio or Sao Paolo, Florianapolis (the capital city of Santa Catarina in the south of the country) has 42 beaches, great surf, buzzy markets and laid-back locals who Conde Nast readers found super-generous with their time and advice.

Vienna, Austria

Best things: The Austrian capital is sorted. Transport runs like clockwork, the city is dotted with beautiful palaces and green spaces, there are Klimt masterpieces at the Belvedere Museum, and tourists can visit Sigmund Freud's apartment and gorge on sachertorte at his favourite Cafe Landtmann. And that's not even starting on the carnivals.

Vancouver, Canada

Best things: "Why does everyone look so frickin' healthy?" You'll be asking yourself the question within seconds of arriving. The answers are all around – in the Canadian Rockies, the city beaches and rainforests on its doorstep, the safe streets, gleaming galleries and a young, multicultural population that shines through in Vancouver's food and culture.

Bergen, Norway

Best things: Bergen is a brilliant little find. A city where the intimate size, easy-going folk and waterside location pack as big a punch as a break in any capital. Bryggen, its old harbourside quarter, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There's a cool cafe culture, you can visit the former home of composer Edvard Grieg and it's the perfect staging post for sightseeing trips to the fjords.

Helsinki, Finland

Best things: "Finns are naturally honest," one local told 'Reader's Digest'. But the Finnish capital is more than a noble state of mind. It's a dynamic, waterside city offering art nouveau buildings, fab design, atmospheric cafes and summer cruises. Think of it as Copenhagen before Noma.