In the deep south of Puglia is a sun-soaked city with a rich heritage and Baroque splendour, says Kate Simon

The palazzos were built for nobility, but it is artists, fashion designers and hoteliers that uphold their grandeur today, says Kate Simon

Escape to the sandy beaches and clapboard villages of Cape Cod, says Kate Simon

Thrills in the tree-tops are guaranteed for adults and children who take on the high-rope and zip-wire challenges on an Adventure Day at one of the centres run by PGL, pictured (0844 371 2424; pgl.co.uk). The day package of activities costs £40pp and is available at various PGL centres around the UK.

Let Kate Simon be your guide to a great escape.

Head to Amsterdam's canals as the city marks the 400th anniversary of these waterways, and take a look, too, at the Rijksmuseum (rijksmuseum.nl), which has just reopened following a 10-year restoration. Doubletree by Hilton (00 31 20 5300 800; doubletree.com) is offering a Canal Tour Package throughout summer, including two nights with breakfast and a one-hour canal tour. Price €338 (£286) for two people sharing. International travel extra.

Learn about life in the Swiss mountains with the new BaseCamp package at Nira Alpina (00 41 081 838 6969; niraalpina.com). Keep all the family amused on a summer break at this designer hotel in St Moritz, in the Engadine Valley, with workshops for children on edible mountain plants, how to milk cows and make cheese, and active pursuits including kite-surfing, climbing and sailing. From Sfr875 (£606)pp for five nights' B&B, picnic two guided hiking tours, plus other trips and treats. Children aged under 12 can stay free of charge in their parents' room. International travel costs extra. Departures are between 15 June and 13 October.

Explore the coral beaches and white-sand shores of Connemara in Ireland on a new sea-kayaking adventure. The guided ocean trek is based on the tales of Granuaile, a 16th-century Gaelic pirate queen. It traces her route along the Atlantic coast from Connemara to Achill Island, staying at waterfront B&Bs along the way. The price is €1,250 (£1,058)pp, based on two sharing, with Wilderness Ireland (01479 420020; wildernessireland.com), including six nights' B&B, some meals, equipment hire and the services of a guide. Travel to Connemara costs extra. Departs 1 June and 7 September.

Set a gentle pace on the highways of Mid-Wales in an electric car with Welsh Road Trips (welshroadtrips.com), an initiative by three hotels in the Green Tourism Business Scheme. Guests are given directions between the three properties, with two nights' B&B provided at each establishment – Lasswade Country House in Llanwrtyd Wells, The Old Vicarage Dolfor near Newtown, and Westview Guesthouse in Llowes. Price £595pp, including hire of a two-seat electric car.

Take a whistle-stop tour of Norway on a new 10-day rail journey from Diamond Rail Holidays (0844 544 3801; diamondrailholidays.co.uk). The trip travels to Copenhagen and includes a cruise along Naeroyfjord and Geirangerfjord. Departs 15 July and 2 September from London St Pancras; £2,095pp, based on two sharing.