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There is plenty going for this city in 2012. The Uefa 2012 footie championships have the town sprucing itself up for the expected influx of tourists this year. But only the most curious travellers, open to dabbling in what has been coined 'dark tourism', might want to try a day trip to Chernobyl.

The government has recently decided to permit tours to the area that has been largely closed to the world since the nuclear accident of Reactor No. 4 in 1986. Chernobyl is a ghost town but nature has, over the years, reclaimed the exclusion zone - the wildlife sanctuary is now one of the largest in Europe. In Pripyat, open books still remain on school desks. The Pripyat funfair is particularly eerie with abandoned bumper cars and a rusted ferris wheel. Visitors will be guided around an official route to avoid areas that still remain contaminated.

It will be a sobering experience. But perhaps since the multiple meltdowns of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, such a trip will offer an insight in to the situation that Japan and the residents of Fukushima face today and in the future.

Trip arrangements can be made through the Chernobyl interinform Agency but expect to pay between EUR 100 and EUR 120.

The city is still very much scarred by World War II and displays its fair share of bombed-out buildings. But these skeletal spaces are becoming increasingly occupied by curious cultural initiatives and a trendy bar scene has descended on Palermo. It is a similar revival to that of East Berlin when the wall came down and artists and galleries began to move in to the warehouses and deserted buildings. So if you like your destinations up-and-coming, Palermo has the edge.

Many of these venues are off the trodden path. Do a bit of research before your trip or head to RISO (Museo d'Art Contemporania della Sicilia) a gallery where you can pick up a few flyers about local goings on, open-air film screenings and art events. They also have internet kiosks, free Wi-Fi and great cocktails best accompanied by aperitivo nibbles around 5pm. The Kursaal Kalhesa on the Foro Italico is housed in what was once the Palazzo Forcella. The 16th century cavernous building is a bar come bookshop come live music venue and the bartenders mix a mean Negroni. In run-down Albergheria, crowds spill out on to the pavement from the Gatto Nero bar on Via Rua Formaggi. Twinkling lights are strung up across the street and the jazz can be heard from around the corner.

Over 21,000 performers took to the stage alone back in 2011 to make nearly two million Edinburgh Fringe attendees belly chortle, cry and curse. Cramming as much in as possible seems to be traditional festival etiquette. But suddenly, it all starts looking very expensive.

Fortunately, a whopping 607 Edinburgh Fringe events were free last year. For sure, some of them belong in the cringefest, but some real gems emerge from the melee - it's how many of today's success stories launched their careers.s

Two companies are worth checking out for free Edinburgh shows in August: Laughing Horse Comedy Free Fringe and PBH's Free Fringe. Both attract a mix of theatre, spoken word, cabaret, music and comedy hosted in pubs, clubs or cafes. Check out the websites for the Edinburgh 2012 line-up. The Royal Mile, which leads up to the Edinburgh Castle, is always chocca and a hive of activity. Performers compete for your attention, by offering free tasters as a way of promoting their shows. Tickets to talks at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in Charlotte Square Gardens will cost you but it is free to peruse the bookshelves or plop yourself in to a stripey deckchair with a good book. Check out which galleries are hosting free exhibitions as part Edinburgh Art Festival.