Gaze out at the azure Adriatic Sea from the sunny beaches of Otranto, in Italy's Puglia region. This historic port town attracts locals and tourists to its 10km of beaches and diving rocks. In town, the cathedral features large-scale mosaics dating back to the 12th century. If you love snorkeling and beautiful seaside views, it's worth making the short journey south to Porto Badisco.

Overlooking the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea, petite Polignano a Mare is home to some of Puglia’s loveliest beaches. Ringed by dramatic cliffs, the Lama Monachile Beach—also known as Cala Porte—is one of the most coveted, and most photographed, in the region.

Take your camel to bed at this oasis town in southwestern Tunisia, home to a staggering 200,000 palm trees. Long prosperous due to its setting on the Sahara-crossing camel caravan routes, Tozeur is known for its quality Deglet Nour dates, its beige brick architecture, and its 14th-century medina (Ouled El Hwadef), where the fascinating Dar Chariet Museum houses many early artifacts, including jewelry and ceramics. Tozeur also served as a Star Wars movie series backdrop.

Dubai is a destination that mixes modern culture with history, adventure with world-class shopping and entertainment. Catch a show at the Dubai Opera, see downtown from atop the Burj Khalifa and spend an afternoon along Dubai Creek exploring the gold, textile and spice souks. If you’re looking for thrills, you can float above the desert dunes in a hot air balloon, climb aboard a high-speed ride at IMG Worlds of Adventure or skydive over the Palm Jumeirah.

Laid out by British architect Edwin Lutyens, the Indian capital is a striking modern metropolis. A gracious contrast to Old Delhi's winding streets, the grand avenues and stately buildings of New Delhi are rich with history and culture, from Gandhi's Delhi home (and the site of his assassination) to the tomb of Humayun, a complex of Mughal buildings reminiscent of the Taj Mahal. Chaotic traffic is best left to the locals. Negotiate a good price for taxis or travel on the new Delhi Metro.

This former British colonial stronghold boasts evidence of over two millennia of habitation, with ornate, architecturally diverse buildings, ranging from crumbing ruins to Victorian treasures. Home to lively festivals and a vibrant artistic community, clamorous markets and packed temples, this city is crowded and polluted, but ultimately invigorating.