On most nights, especially on weekends, you will find throngs of beautiful people sipping colourful cocktails through long straws, while dance beats pulsate in the background.

BBC: Bucharest��s new Old City

Weekends in the heart of the Old Port bounce with a colourful clash of locals and vistors, while weekdays tend to be a bit more slow-paced, fostering the ultimate mellow vibe.

BBC: Art appreciation and more in Portland, Maine

Halloween is huge in the city that loves to throw on a mask, while Christmas features numerous fiery festivals along the waterfront, including Celebration in the Oaks, when the colourful lights are festooned around City Park.

BBC: Celebrate New Orleans, from Mardi Gras to Jazz Fest