Zandvort is to Amsterdam what Brighton is to London--a large seaside resort easily reached by train. It takes half an hour to get there from Central Station. It has a long sandy beach and, in common with the rest of the Netherlands coastline, an expanse of sandy dunes which serve to protect the low lying country from the sea. In the summer months, beach bars catering to all tastes line this beach. It is also the site of the Netherlands' most important car racing circuit.

Amsterdam is truly a biker’s city, although pedaling along the labyrinthine streets can get a little chaotic. Stick to walking and you won’t be disappointed. The gentle canals make a perfect backdrop for exploring the Jordaan and Rembrandtplein square. Pop into the Red Light District if you must—if only so you can say you’ve been there. The Anne Frank House is one of the most moving experiences a traveller can have, and the Van Gogh Museum boasts a sensational collection of works.

Mostly jutting northward from its largest city of Amsterdam and its capital of Haarlem, the Noord-Holland region has much more to offer beyond those two wonderful cities. At Muiden is the magnificent Muiderslot Castle, as if it stepped out of a fairy tale. Showing more wear but no less interesting is Brederode Castle at Santpoort. At Zaanstad is Zaanse Schans, one of Holland’s top tourist destinations and a family-friendly open air museum of windmills, traditional buildings, crafts and shops.

The landscape of Soller is lush and green, dotted with fruit trees and olive groves, and makes a gorgeous backdrop for a hike or bike ride. Tour the gorgeous botanical gardens or marvel at the lacy sandcastle architecture of the Sant Bartomeu Church. Fans of Antoni Gaudi may recognize the features of the Banco de Soller, which was built by Gaudi student and collaborator Joan Rubió i Bellver.

A patchwork of vineyards and olive groves, dotted with whitewashed hill towns and sun-bronzed beaches—Italy’s southern heel has no shortage of photogenic landscapes. There are a few surprises, too, including the baroque city of Lecce and the Itria Valley, with its UNESCO-listed trulli houses.

Tirana, the Republic of Albania's largest city, is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate, a plethora of beautiful churches and lush parks. Founded in 1614, some striking Mussolini-era architecture dots the city center. Walk between sights such as Skanderbeg Square's 1789 Et'hem Bey Mosque, the 1830 Sahat-Kulla (Clock Tower) and the Puppet Theater, once home to King Zog's puppet parliament. Visit the Peace Bell, built with old cartridge shells, a reminder of Tirana's stormy past.

With its postcard-worthy backdrop of golden sands, forested mountains, and miles of azure ocean, it’s no surprise that Fethiye is among the most-visited cruise ports on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. The town itself is equally attractive, with leafy seafront promenades, lively bazaars, and ancient ruins.

"Ithaca is gorges" can be read on proud t-shirts across New York State, and there is definitely truth in advertising. Sitting on the shores of Cayuga Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes, the hilly town of Ithaca is surrounded by dense forests, towering waterfalls, and many gorges. The natural beauty has a distinctly academic feel, as local universities have filled the woods with museums and education centers like The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which features a 220 acre wildlife sanctuary.