Picturesque Maribor is Slovenia's second largest city, and sits at the heart of a centuries-old wine region.

The Old Town of Dubrovnik, hemmed in by 2km of majestic medieval walls, is spectacularly located on the Adriatic coastline.

The NZ stock exchange has fallen 2.5 per cent on opening, following a big slump on world markets overnight. The NZX 50 Index shed 80.89 points to 3297.86, the lowest level since December.

The major contemporary art exhibition impresses locals and travellers alike. Click through the gallery to see photos from the biennale and images of the magical city of Venice.

TV personality Jeremy Wells lifts the lid on what happens behind the scenes on tour with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra....

An English pensioner who almost sold off an unwanted brooch for £10 has seen the item fetch more than £36,000 at auction.

One of the brightest stars in the Andalusian firmament, the city of Cordoba has long been one of that region's prime destinations.

The setting for the show of revelations is a drawcard for punters as well as tourists.

Rising sea levels and more frequent winter storms are threatening the city of Venice. City officials are looking at ways of paying for its survival.

Sixty per cent of Italians aged 18 to 34 still live with their parents, the highest percentage of young stay-at-homes anywhere in Europe.

Higher interest rates and an economic shock could be in store for Kiwis if US debt crisis talks fail.