With its elegant architecture, cobblestoned streets and restaurant-lined marina, Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel is the charming capital of the Azores. See the three-arched Ponta Delgada, which dates back to 1783; sample local cheeses in the Mercado da Graça; or stop to smell the flowers in Antonio Borges Garden. Venture outside the city and you’ll never forget the view from the Mirador do Rei lookout.
Set between the beautiful Baie des Anges and the Alps, the sunny capital of la Côte d’Azur has long been admired for its beauty and sophistication. One of France’s oldest cities, Nice blends its urban verve with plenty of seaside charm, a fantastic local food scene and a heritage that’s steeped in pretty Italianate influences. In the narrow streets of Vieille Ville you’ll find charming piazzettas, cozy cafés, traditional stores and a famous flower and grocery market.
One of the most geographically distinctive and culturally rich islands in the Cyclades, Milos is a volcanic island of beautiful beaches, thermal springs and unusual rock formations. Adámantas, the island’s pretty port and nightlife hub, is sheltered inside the volcano’s former caldera. Plaka, the nearby capital, overlooks the entrance to the Gulf of Milos. This charming hilltop town is home to Plaka Castle with views of the entire island as well as an acclaimed archaeological museum, which features a replica of the island’s most famous find: the Venus of Milo.
One of Croatia’s most ancient cities, Zadar charms travelers with its unique cultural heritage, spectacular sunsets and vibrant nightlife scene. Its walled Old Town occupies a tiny peninsula ringed by a beautiful waterfront promenade. Inside the Venetian-era fortifications you’ll find a medieval labyrinth of narrow streets centered around a fascinating architectural legacy: a Roman Forum, a Byzantine-style church and a 12th century Romanesque cathedral.
The rhythm of the sea has long defined life on the gorgeous island of Gozo. As you sail towards Mgarr, you’ll be welcomed by two of the island’s hilltop landmarks – the knights-built Fort Chambray and the 19th century Gothic-style Lourdes Chapel. The capital of Victoria is visible for miles around, and its citadel offers wonderful views over the whole island.
The island of Martinique provides a little slice of French sophistication in the crystal-clear Caribbean. Sail into Les Anses-d’Arlet, a charming string of villages framed by lush green hills and some of the island’s best beaches. Soak in the rich history at the Fort Saint-Louis or the Saint-Louis Cathédrale. Pull up a chair and watch the colorful boats bob in the bay as you dine on a delicious blend of French and Creole-inspired cuisine.
Impressive Neoclassical buildings, boulevards and piazzas are everywhere you look in this elegant port city. The best way to start your day in Trieste is with a coffee. The city is said to have the finest coffee in the whole of Italy and sampling a cup or two in its beautiful Belle Époque cafes is an absolute delight. After your coffee take a walk along the Canal Grande, or head to the superbly decadent Miramare Castle – a vanity project of the Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg.
The dreamy ‘White City’ of Tangier sits where the Mediterranean and the Atlantic meet. Lose yourself in the atmospheric alleyways of its labyrinthine medina; watch the world go by as you sip sweet mint tea at a café in the Grand Socco; stretch yourself out on the fine white sand of the city beach; or explore the Caves of Hercules, with their unique sea window that’s shaped like a map of Africa.
With its wild landscapes and a Scottish heritage that can be felt at every turn, Cape Breton Island is one of the most unique destinations in Canada. Take a stroll along Sydney’s waterfront and stop for a photo beside the world’s biggest fiddle – a massive nod to the region’s Celtic musical roots at over 60-feet-tall – or head to the Witney Pier Historical Society Museum to learn about the people who immigrated here from all over the world. Sydney is also an ideal base for exploring the Cabot Trail, which is a great place for golfing, kayaking and whale-watching.
The smallest of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John was an early pioneer in Caribbean eco-tourism. More than half of its 20 square miles are undeveloped — and will stay that way — as they constitute Virgin Islands National Park, created in 1956 from holdings donated by U.S. philanthropist and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller. Much of St. John’s glorious white-sand beaches, coastline and surrounding seas are also protected, either through the park or the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument.
