Rugged mountains, rainforest, black sand beaches and natural wonders: this is Dominica, the Nature Island. Volcanoes forged the striking interior of high peaks, deep gorges, rivers and waterfalls. Geothermal forces are still at work, from roiling the waters of Boiling Lake to blowing bubbles at Champagne Reef. The dramatic underwater topography of boulders, plunging stone walls and ancient craters is filled with colorful tropical fish, making for great diving and snorkeling as well as whale watching.

An amazing amalgam of sights and sounds, Rome is a kinetic tapestry stimulating every sense. The ring of church bells and honks of early morning traffic echo off the weathered stone of ancient buildings. Office workers dash past fruit stands and sidewalk cafés in the shadows of elegant palace façades. Meanwhile, tourists make their way from piazza to piazza, monument to monument, church to church: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Abenaki people once called this town Catawamteak, meaning “great landing place,” and Rockland certainly remains exactly that. This gateway to island-dotted Penobscot Bay is a thriving port of fishing boats and tall-masted sailing ships. Main Street is the hub with an array of specialty shops, antique stores, historic storefronts and the Center for Maine Contemporary Art. Other museum stops include the renowned Farnsworth Art Museum and the Maine Lighthouse Museum. The charming lighthouse and fascinating transportation museum in nearby Owls Head also merit a visit.

Tortola is at the heart of the British Virgin Island’s world-renowned sailing culture. Long, narrow and just over 21 square miles in area, the largest island of the BVI boasts a quintessentially Caribbean coastline of secluded white sand beaches, hidden coves and great natural anchorages. Inside a horseshoe-shaped harbor, the BVI capital of Road Town is the friendly, laid-back center for commerce, dining on fresh seafood and exploring nearby islets, tiny cays, reefs and dive sites.

Reykjavik is Europe’s most northern capital and a delight to visit. Modern public buildings of steel and glass contrast with the preserved colorful wooden houses of the old quarter. However, it is outside of Reykjavik that the rugged beauty of the country reveals itself. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa where the mineral-rich water is believed to have therapeutic benefits.

Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, known as the “Father of New France,” the grand provincial capital of Québec is one of the oldest European settlements in North America and blends past and present beautifully. The only walled city in the Americas north of Mexico, Old Québec is a UNESCO World Heritage treasure offering 400 years of history and evolution, and its aged cobblestones also feature the best of today's shopping, food and entertainment.