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.

An ecological paradise of unbridled diversity, Costa Rica certainly lives up to its name, which means “rich coast.” The city of Puerto Limón has a few attractions, including the waterfront Parque Vargas and an interesting ethnohistory museum, but most visitors head to one of the many astounding national parks outside the city. A cruise through the canals of Tortuguero National Park offers the chance to observe endangered sea turtles, sloths, monkeys and even jaguars.

Progreso boasts the world's longest pier, which juts nearly five miles into the Gulf of Mexico and anchors to the oceanfront amidst a gorgeous beach with a promenade that itself stretches a mile. Standing sentry over it all is the 120-foot Faro de Progreso, an active lighthouse built in 1893. Progreso has a beach-town vibe, and the center is easily explored on foot. At the biological reserve of El Corchito, observe lush flora and fauna and take a dip in one of the Yucatán’s famous cenotes – collapsed caverns that created freshwater swimming holes.