For picture-perfect whitewashed Greek towns on scenic waterfronts with patios of smiling patrons, nothing beats the laid-back island of Paros. With an exceptional selection of gorgeous beaches and historical sites to explore, the only thing missing is the crowds in this off-the-beaten-track destination. One of the country’s oldest Byzantine churches, the 4th-century Panagia Ekatontapiliani is an Old Town standout that features a tranquil garden with fragrant flowers and lemon trees.

Embraced by beautiful beaches and thousands of years of history, Kos is a tiny but mighty Dodecanese island in the wide Aegean Sea. The charming harbor town is dominated by the 15th-century Castle of the Knights, steps from the famous Tree of Hippocrates where the philosopher and native son is said to have taught. Just outside of town, further tribute to the Father of Medicine is found at the ruins of the Asklepieion, a center of healing dating to the 3rd century BC.

The Arade River meets the Atlantic Ocean at the town of Portimão in the Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region. Here sandstone cliffs and striking rock formations frame the shorelines, and golf courses are as plentiful as the beaches. The long stretch of golden sand known as Praia da Rocha offers parasailing, kayaking and other watersports. Along the riverfront promenade, open-air eateries serve the local specialty of freshly grilled sardines, and you can learn about Portimão’s history as a fishing port in the award-winning museum housed in a former cannery.

Blessed with sunshine, sand and an astonishing selection of historical sites, Tarragona is a rare combination of natural beauty and rich culture. Vestiges of classical Roman structures dot the length and breadth of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site known in ancient times as Tarraco. The Paseo Arqueológico takes you on a stroll along the Roman walls that encircle the Old Town.

On the southern coast of England and offshore Portsea Island stands the home of the British Royal Navy, the harbor city of Portsmouth. A proud naval heritage is evident in the Historic Dockyard where modern ships are moored alongside classics like Admiral Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory, which defeated Napoleon in the Battle of Trafalgar. The wreckage of Henry VIII’s Mary Rose, which capsized offshore in 1545, is displayed in a nearby museum, and on the southern tip of the island stands Southsea Castle, constructed in 1544 to defend those same waters.