When looking for some of Europe's liveliest holiday destinations you want to look at some of the top cities like Paris. Even 125 years ago Henry James declared" Paris is the most tolerable in hot weather." There of course is the big music hall, elegant parks and bench-lined boulevards, parasol-swinging days encapsulated in Renoir's great painting of Montmartre, Le Bal du Moulin de la Galette. There are many grand projects inspired by Chirac, Mitterrand and the millennium is in place. The Champs-Elysées has been repaved, the Centre Pompidou revitalized and the newly refurbished museums such as the Guimet which is devoted to Asian art.

Then there is Berlin with beaches and gardens, followed by hot summer nights and wild festivals. It is said that Berlin is one of the most enticing cities in Europe. The weather in Berlin is very agreeable with temperatures well into the 80s for most of the summer. There are also more green spaces, woods, lakes and parks than many of the other capitals.

Of course there are crafts and events all summer long but there is also the Love Parade in mid-July - probably the most wanton street party this side of Rio. You can also enjoy a more traditional culture in Berlin as well. Berlin has a vibrant music scene, and within its museums and galleries you will find the Greek sculpture of the Pergamon.

Then there is Florence, a beautiful city which is a living shrine to the Renaissance. There are Paintings, frescoes and sculptures in most of the museums while you can feel Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo and Galileo still present. Spending time in the city of Florence will require some planning ahead; the city is more of an indoor city during the day however it is the perfect time to enjoy the world-class galleries such as the Uffizi.

Then we have Lisbon, this city does not have a major western European capital feel to it. Many that have visited Lisbon have commented that the city feels as though time left it behind. There are antiquated shops, trams dating from the early 1900s, grand but decaying old buildings. The prices too are from a bygone era; you can buy a coffee and pastry in the ubiquitous pastelarias for £25 a day. Alfama and the Bairro Alto are still the biggest lure for tourists if planning on a summer holiday. Also let the locals to the waterfront and the beaches, a short train ride down the coast.