The seaside resort of Travemünde sits at the meeting point of the Trave river and the Baltic. A holiday destination since the early 19th century, it offers the timeless pleasures of sun, sand and simple fare like fischbrötchen along broad beaches dotted with giant wicker chairs called strandkörbe. Watersports, including a July regatta, are also major draw. The riverfront Vorderreihe, lined with restaurants, cafes and boutiques, is lovely to stroll, as is the charming Old Town.
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.
Dramatic geology, unspoiled landscapes, quiet coves and gorgeous beaches are all part of Virgin Gorda’s appeal. Along the western ridge of the plump middle is Gorda Peak National Park, whose trails deliver stunning panoramic views. At the island’s southernmost tip is its most famous landmark, the Baths. Here massive granite boulders form tidal pools, grottoes and arches, and separate the white sands of Devil’s Bay and Spring Bay beaches. Spanish Town and Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour are laid-back centers of commercial and maritime activity.
The capital town of Basseterre is the bustling gateway to the beautiful beaches and lush rainforest of St. Kitts. The island was among the first in the Caribbean to be colonized by the French and English, a complex legacy found in and around Basseterre Circus at such sights as the Anglican and Catholic churches, the Berkeley Memorial, and National Museum. A drive along the coast leads to the landmark Brimstone Hill Fortress and National Park, an imposing military structure built from volcanic rock by African slaves. St.
Antigua boasts an intricate coastline of bays, coves, and inlets, and a plethora of white-sand beaches. Set inside one of the island’s great natural harbors, St. John’s is the bustling capital, maritime hub and center for commerce, including a lively farmers’ and crafts market. The British left a lasting imprint on the city, from Fort James and Fort Barrington guarding the harbor entrance to the gleaming white towers of the landmark St. John’s Cathedral. Inside the 18th-century Court House, the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda showcases local history dating to the first Arawak settlements.
The resort town of Les Trois-Îlets sits on Le Diamant Peninsula. With gorgeous views of the capital and the Mont Pelee volcano across the waters of Fort-de-France Bay, this port offers easy access to southern Martinique’s gorgeous beaches. Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife, Josephine, was born here and her family’s former sugar estate and gardens are now the Pagerie Museum. The museum Maison de la Canne, set in an old distillery, offers insights into the economy of sugar, while the Savannah of Slaves, an open-air museum and park, highlights the human impact.
In Dutch, Kralendijk means “coral dike.” As soon as you peek through your snorkeling mask off the shores of this main port of Bonaire, you'll know the name fits. Paddle a kayak, peer down from a glass-bottom boat or dive right in the crystalline waters to join the radiant parade below. Surrounding the island is miles of protected reefs, while the island’s interior offers equal delights, including the desert landscapes of divi-divi trees and cacti at Washington Slagbaai National Park.
Puerto Rico's second largest city, Ponce is called many things. Founded in 1692, it was named after Ponce de Leon's great grandson and now holds the titles of “Pearl of the South,” “Cradle of Liberty,” “Museum City” and “Ciudad Señorial,” which peg it as elegant, noble, fascinating and stately. By any name, this tropical beauty offers much to boast about. Neoclassical colonial architecture abounds. Museo de Arte de Ponce, Castillo Serrallés and Museo Casa Armstrong are excellent museums.
Stunning scenery, quintessential charm and great art define the small town of Kragerø on Norway’s southern coast boasts outsized appeal. Surrounded by freshwater lakes and a spectacular archipelago of more than 490 islands and skerries, it is a destination for boating, fishing, canoeing and swimming as well as cycling. Once an important seafaring community, Kragerø preserves that heritage in its inner harbor area, where the marina, promenades and piers, along with outdoor concerts and waterfront dining, create a lively ambience.
Tucked deep inside an inlet on Newfoundland’s mountainous west coast, the working mill town of Corner Brook is the gateway to Gros Morne National Park. The park’s rare features – mantle rock and ancient oceanic crust – are a window onto continental movement 1.2 billion years ago, key factors in its World Heritage designation. Glaciers carved out the spectacular fjords, deep valleys, lakes and beaches. Coastal and forested trails invite exploration, while intrepid hikers can climb the 2,644-foot-tall Gros Morne.
