Caen’s historic centre—with its medieval monuments, Romanesque churches, and poignant memorials—stands testament to the port city's troubled history, caught in the crossfire of Normandy’s most significant battles. Today, a thriving student population injects modernity, bringing with it numerous bars, restaurants, and markets.

Honfleur, a harbour in Normandy, was popular with Impressionist painters like Monet and Boudin. They found its changing light and picturesque quays inspiring—and even today, if you return to the same spot every day to take a photo, you'll find no two are the same. On Saturday, visit the town's lively market and stock up on local cheese.

The northern French town of Bayeux is best known for the eponymous tapestry that depicts the 11th-century Norman Conquest. You can see it, of course, on display at the Bayeux Tapestry Museum. The cloth’s original home was the Bayeux Cathedral, which still towers over the area, looking a bit like a Gothic wedding cake. Inside you’ll find beautifully detailed murals and haunting crypts. Bayeux makes an excellent jumping off point to tour nearby historic WWII sites.

The stunning cliffs of Etretat are world-famous for their naturally-formed archways. Snap some photos of these geological wonders (you won’t be the first) as you ramble along the coastal path. Historic chateaus and chapels pepper the landscape, and a range of annual festivals infuse this provincial seaside town with revelry.

The past is present in Rouen, where Gothic church spires tower over half-timbered lanes and history museums. Normandy’s riverside capital also dishes up some of the best cuisine in the region, from farm-fresh cheese to oysters hauled in from the nearby coast.

From Shoreditch’s swaggering style to Camden’s punky vibe and chic Portobello Road, London is many worlds in one. The city’s energy means that no two days are the same. Explore royal or historic sites, tick off landmarks from your bucket list, eat and drink in exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants, enjoy a pint in a traditional pub, or get lost down winding cobbled streets and see what you stumble across – when it comes to London, the possibilities are endless.

History reigns in Lincoln, where Roman ruins, medieval monuments, and a Norman castle can be found within steps of each other. Even the modern trappings of this student city feel nostalgic—cobbled lanes harbour independent boutiques, cutesy tea rooms hide behind half-timbered façades, and old warehouses are now cool music venues.

The Mediterranean's biggest island is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Messina. A mountainous spot, Sicily's coast and its small islands sit at the foot of volcanoes, including Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano. The Greeks, Romans, Normans and Catalans all left their mark on the island in the form of Byzantine palaces, Gothic castles and Baroque flourishes in capital Palermo. Most larger towns offer interesting museums, but Etna and the Hellenic temples in Agrigento offer particularly unique sights.

A youthful, modern metropolis with a diverse population, Tel Aviv dates back to only 1909. Clubs, bars, a thriving arts community, gay life and beaches attract artists, musicians and young professionals to Tel Aviv's more secular scene. Its UNESCO-designated Bauhaus architecture has won the city the moniker "The White City". Walk, drive or take cabs between the cultural exhibition pavilions of Haaretz Museum, historic Independence Hall Museum, bustling Carmel Market and Old Jaffa's boardwalk.

The next time you're driving to Toronto or Niagara Falls, stop in Hamilton, where tourist traffic isn't quite so rampant. The Niagara Escarpment provides spectacular scenery, with beautiful trails and waterfalls. Visit nearby farms, orchards and vineyards, or plan your trip to coincide with Hamilton's lively fall fairs.

New Buffalo is a Lake Michigan beach getaway convenient to Indiana and Chicago. The large, broad public beach is the main attraction, but you can also explore downtown New Buffalo's shopping and dining options. Or, if you feel like taking a chance, the Four Winds Casino Resort has 130,000 square feet of gaming space. Owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, its design evokes their heritage.

Let the Gulf Shore breeze carry you to a weekend of sun-kissed fun. The Tampa-St Pete area is Florida's second-biggest metropolitan area. Not as flashy as Miami or as crowded as Orlando, the region has grown as a tourist destination, and it's easy to see why: miles of waterfront, sandy beaches, cultural attractions and exciting amusements. Busch Gardens has been drawing visitors for years, but the city also has another zoo, an aquarium and several major museums for those who need some time in the shade.