Dijon

There's much more to Dijon than mustard. Don't take our word for it. Just look up at the gorgeous Gothic buttresses of the Ducal Palace, where the Dukes of Burgundy once conspired to spread their power across Northern Europe. Or, check out the acclaimed exhibition rooms of the Musée des Beaux-Arts, where Picasso rubs shoulders with Monet and more. Those are just two of the highlights that exist in this largely untrodden town of central-eastern France. Wandering the historic core of the city in the company of a qualified Dijon tour guide should reveal many more, whether it's the sculpted Gothic facades of the Church of Notre-Dame or the traditional rowhouses of the Place François Rude, all surrounded by stone-dressed streets and Parisian cafes. Of course, a trip to these parts simply wouldn't be complete without a foray into Bourgogne cuisine, made of French classics (coq a vin, of course) and excellent wines.