Sitting on a spectacular stretch of coastline on the ‘heel’ of Italy, Bari is Puglia’s bustling capital. The city’s historic Bari Vecchia district is a labyrinth of charming medieval streets where you’ll see local women selling homemade orecchiette pasta and the faithful making their pilgrimages to the 12th century Basilica San Nicola. Head out of town and explore fascinating heritage sites like Alberobello, a village of unique domed trulli structures; or relax on one of the many sandy beaches that sit beneath the region’s ancient clifftop villages.

Life in the beautifully-preserved ‘Sailing Capital of the U.S.’ revolves around one thing: its rich maritime culture. Sitting at the heart of Chesapeake Bay – the largest estuary in the country – the charming state capital of Maryland is abuzz with seafaring glamour. From the countless boats that line its City Dock, to the U.S. Naval Academy students strolling through the cobblestoned streets in their starched white uniforms, maritime heritage is everywhere you look.