Vienna from 25,500 Avios + £1 in economy class

Vienna offers enticing contrasts of grand palaces and cosy coffee shops.

The Hofburg complex is an opulent must-see, incorporating royal apartments and the famous dancing horses of the Spanish Riding School.

Kunsthistorisches Museum, filled with paintings by Old Masters is in another palatial setting, while Belvedere Palace is home to The Kiss and other Klimts. More contemporary art is the focus of the MuseumsQuartier

There are always classical concerts to book honouring locals Mozart and Strauss, besides top opera and ballet at the Staatsoper

The famous Wiener Riesenrad vintage Ferris Wheel is among the settings you can discover from the film noir The Third Man and the modern romantic classic Before Sunrise. Tours relating to the former will even take you down the historic sewers.

From mid-November, Vienna’s Christmas markets make a charming reason to visit.

Eat: Vienna’s famous coffee house culture is Unesco-listed. Café Central with its beautiful vaulted ceilings is a favourite. Other historic cake stops include cafes Sperl, Schwarzenberg and Hawelka. A bar and restaurant scene has grown around colourful food-focused Naschmarkt and trendy Gumpendorfer Strasse.

Stay: Hotel options include MuseumsQuartier’s circus-themed 25 hours and Hotel Imperial, occupying a former prince's palace.

BA reward seats: According to our Avios calculator, seat availability is excellent from October through the winter months. There are also some dates with fantastic availability in March and September.

Paris from 19,500 Avios + £1 in economy class

The perennial favourite city break still holds its charm. You’ve probably seen the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre before, so unless you’re introducing children to the city, you can wander the flea markets and linger in bistros and bars.

You might explore the village-style Montmartre around the Sacre Coeur and the arty Latin Quarter or visit the Jardin des Plantes Botanical Gardens, which includes a maze.

Notre Dame is still being restored, but there are spectacular stained glass windows in Sainte Chapelle. You could also visit the Pantheon, the resting place of French notables from Victor Hugo to Marie Curie.

Beyond the Louvre, get your fill of art at the Picasso and Rodin museums and the grand Musée d’Orsay With time for a day trip, Monet’s home at Giverny is also possible and, of course, the glittering Palace of Versailles.

Eat: In Paris, you’re spoilt for choice. ‘Bouillon’ restaurants are where busy locals eat simple classics in often historic surroundings. For special occasions consider Epicure at Le Bristol hotel where the chef holds four Michelin stars. The Montparnasse Tower meanwhile boasts Paris’s highest panoramic bar and restaurant with Eiffel tower views.

Stay: Options include the gilded Shangri-La in a former royal residence; musicians’ favourite L’Hotel (the last residence of Oscar Wilde) and Hôtel Jeanne d’Arc, a stylish budget option.

BA reward seats: Availability is excellent from mid-September to the year’s end. Many dates currently have six reward seats each in economy and business.

Pisa from 23,500 Avios + £1 in economy class