The State Opera House was built in the late 19th century by renowned Hungarian architect Miklós Ybl. As well as being the largest opera house in Hungary, it is home to the Hungarian National Ballet and Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra. Stay at: Hilton Budapest Photograph: Stuart Black/Corbis
The annual Dubrovnik Summer festival mixes classical music, dance, literature and art across 50 different open-air venues throughout the city. Last year’s festival included a stunning performance of Euripides’ tragedy Medea, directed by the acclaimed Slovenian theatre director Tomaz Pandur. Stay at: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik Photograph: Aljosa Rebolj
Most famous for its International and Fringe festivals in August – when the cobbled streets and winding lanes of the old town buzz with myriad performers, promoters and punters – Edinburgh also boasts a great Jazz and Blues festival. Taking place 19-28 July, it showcases the city in a more chilled- out mood. Stay at: Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor Photograph: John Peter Photography/Alamy
Probably the world’s most famous classical ballet company, the Bolshoi Ballet has been performing since the late 18th century. A trip to Moscow offers the opportunity to see the company perform at home in the Bolshoi Theatre. Forthcoming productions include Aram Khachaturian’s Spartacus (above), Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake. Stay at: Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya Photograph: Khaled El-Fiqi/Corbis
A relative newcomer on the fashion circuit, Cape Town fashion week has fast become a significant platform for South African designers in its 10-year history. Hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, this year’s event takes place 8-10 August. Stay at: Hilton Cape Town City Centre Photograph: Gianluigi Guercia/AFP
Abu Dhabi’s Louvre museum is due to open in 2015. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the museum will display works on loan from some of Paris’s major museums, including the Louvre, Pompidou Centre and Musée d'Orsay. Stay at: Hilton Abu Dhabi Photograph: AP
The Grec festival of Barcelona, which takes place throughout July, is one of the city’s biggest cultural attractions – an eclectic mix of theatre, music, dance and circus. The acrobatic circus night is one of the most popular highlights. Stay at: Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona Photograph: Alberto Estevez/EFE
Originally a vast camel farm, the Dubai desert conservation reserve is Dubai’s first national park – 87 sq miles of protected rocky plains and spectacular sand dunes, located an hour’s drive from Dubai. A camel safari is one of the best ways to experience its true beauty. Stay at: Hilton Dubai Creek Photograph: Mark Daffey/Lonely Planet Images
Berlin’s Campus Party Europe is recognised as the biggest electronic entertainment festival in the world, attracting thousands of hackers, developers and gamers every year. Guest speakers at previous events have included Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, above, who last year addressed the festival about the impact the internet has had on publishing. Stay at: Hilton Berlin Photograph: STEPHANIE PILICK/DPA
The Venice biennale is one of the biggest dates in the art calendar. Held in odd years, the festival attracts artists, curators and collectors from across the globe to both exhibit and sell work. This year’s festival includes submissions from 37 countries, as far-reaching as Paraguay and Maldives. Stay at Hilton Molino Stucky Venice Photograph: Marco Secchi/Corbis
The Byzantine and Ottoman empires still stand at the forefront of Istanbul's cultural heritage, and the area of Sultanahmet is a natural place to start your visit, where together Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque (above) and Topkapi Palace form one of the great city skylines. Don't miss Istanbul Modern – the city's answer to Tate Modern. Opened in 2004, it's housed in an old warehouse with views over the Bosphorus.
Stay at: Hilton Istanbul Photograph: Ken Welsh/Photodisc
The colourful streets of picture-perfect Victoria, capital of the Seychelles island of Mahé, are home to a melting pot of architectural and cultural influences. Dance provides a window on the mix of cultures, so seek out traditional shows to watch African-derived moutya and sega, or contredanse, from the French court of the 18th century. Stay at: Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa Photograph: Jan Greune/LOOK
