There’s not a lot to do on Elafonisos...which is just how its peace-seeking visitors like it. This tiny Greek island is a mosaic of jewel-colored flowers, soft white sand, and aquamarine sea. Elafonisos is all about the beach, baby, with pristine snorkeling conditions and quiet stretches of sand. Every day ends on a happy note when you can dine on fabulously fresh seafood at a harbor-side tavern, relaxing under a tangerine sunset.

Lefkada's name means "white," from the famous white cliffs of Cape Lefkata, site of an ancient temple of Apollo, where rumor has it that the celebrated Lesbian poet Sappho flung herself from the rocks. To stay with the mythology theme, don’t miss a boat tour on the mighty Odysseia, a colorful replica of a Greek war ship. You can also explore deserted monasteries in the mountains, splash around under the Nidri waterfalls and swim at some of Greece's most famous and beautiful beaches.

A cultural hub where elegant mosques and traditional bazaars dot the palm-lined boulevards and ancient Greek ruins look down from the hilltops, Turkey’s third-largest city, Izmir, has plenty to offer cruise visitors en route to nearby Ephesus.

It’s nicknamed the Eternal City for a reason. In Rome, you can drink from a street fountain fed by an ancient aqueduct. Or see the same profile on a statue in the Capitoline Museum and the guy making your cappuccino. (Which, of course, you know never to order after 11 am.) Rome is also a city of contrasts—what other place on earth could be home to both the Vatican and La Dolce Vita?

At the top of Bavaria and dating back to at least the 11th century, Coburg sat undiscovered by many late 20th century tourists, surrounded as it was on three sides by the former East Germany. The town’s main attraction, impossible to miss since it overlooks the town, is the 13th century Veste Coburg Castle, one of Germany’s largest and most beautiful. Sometimes called the Franconian Crown, today it’s home to three museums. Reformer Martin Luther, then an outlaw, spent five months here in 1530.

Densely populated and humming with activity at all hours, Dhaka is a city of contrasts between old and new, rich and poor, industry and folk. From the concrete National Parliament House and ultramodern Bashundhara City, the largest shopping mall in South Asia, to the 17th Century Lalbagh Fort and the open markets along the city's side streets, these contrasts vividly shape the city. Visit the many mosques, temples and museums for a taste of Bengali culture and history.