Every city we cover, in one place

Spring and autumn are the comfortable seasons — snow in winter, humid and rainy in summer. Shopping and food districts are compact, which suits both free time and business trips.

Gateway to Kansai: Kyoto and Nara are usually day trips from here. Food and pharmacy shopping are concentrated, and spring and autumn are the mildest times.

Temples and lanes mean a lot of walking. Crowds peak during cherry blossom and autumn leaf season, and night visits need separate booking.

Dense with shopping, cosmetics and city districts. Winter is cold; spring and autumn are the easiest months to walk around.

Hot most of the year, with the rains concentrated in the second half. Temples, markets and river transport sit close together, and it is an easy first trip.

A hub for connections and shopping, with a dense street-food scene. Hot and humid all year, so plan indoor time.

Beach resorts in the south, rice terraces around Ubud — two separate areas. The dry and wet seasons feel like different trips.

Desert and malls rather than sightseeing on foot. Summer is extremely hot; winter is the right window. Many itineraries are short stopovers.

Museums and neighbourhoods mean heavy walking, and major exhibitions need timed tickets. Spring and autumn are the best months.

Weather changes hourly, so museums and markets are the safe plan. Summer daylight runs long into the evening.

The Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain area are busy all year, and midsummer afternoons are hot enough to plan around.

The main island is crossed on bridges and by boat, with a lot of walking and awkward luggage. Low areas flood at high tide.

Gaudí architecture and the beachfront sit close together, and the old city is best on foot. Summer beaches are hot; spring and autumn are easier.

Dense with canals and cycle lanes, and parking is expensive. Late spring and autumn photograph best.

A city across two continents. The old town and the Bosphorus are the core; summers are dry, winters wet.

Museums and shows need reservations, and the boroughs are far apart — the subway often beats a car. Spring and autumn are comfortable.

Downtown, the beaches and the hills are separate day trips. Doing one area a day keeps the driving sane. Summers are dry and sunny.

Steep streets, narrow lanes and fog, mostly in summer. The bridge and the coastal path are the main lines; spring and autumn are best.

Opera House and the harbour are the core. Summers are warm, winters mild, and late December to January is the liveliest stretch.