Though dwarfed by nearby Naples, Caserta punches above its weight when it comes to world-class landmarks. Its roll call of sights include the colossal Royal Palace of Caserta, the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli, and San Leucio Complex; all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The crags and grottoes of Capri have been dazzling visitors since the Ancient Greeks first settled the island. It’s easy to understand why artists and writers have been immortalizing Capri’s beauty and history for centuries. Climb aboard a wooden boat to tour the Grotto Azzurra, a cave filled with spectacularly blue water. Savor some gelato while you stroll around the harbours of Marina Piccola or Marina Grande, an ancient Roman fishing port.

Three miles of twisty mountain roads up from Amalfi, the gorgeous resort of Ravello has been attracting celebrities for centuries, including Richard Wagner, Greta Garbo, Gore Vidal and D.H. Lawrence, who wrote Lady Chatterley’s Lover here. Ravello’s Duomo (Cathedral) and Villa Cimbrone (both 11th century) and Villa Rufolo (13th century) are all magnificent sights. The annual summer Ravello Festival began as a salute to Wagner’s music, but now showcases a wide range of music and arts.

Stretching along the southern side of Italy's Sorrentine Peninsula, the Amalfi coast dazzles with its mysterious grottos, craggy cliffs and shimmering bays. Grab a seat on the sea side of a regional bus to soak up views on the fabled route from artsy Positano to Amalfi. Ravello offers some respite from the crowds, plus the stunning Villa Cimbrone, which overlooks the Bay of Salerno. The winding streets of Sorrento's historic district are filled with craftspeople. Capri is only a hydrofoil or ferry ride away.

If it's your first time visiting the Amalfi Coast, chances are you'll do a double-take the first time you see a roadside lemon stand. Yes, those are lemons, and yes, they are the size of your head. But despite their freakish appearance, you will grow to love these lemons because the locals use them to produce limoncello. And take it from us, there's nothing like a glass of limoncello as you gaze out at the sea from the balcony of your hotel in Amalfi. It's pretty much perfection.

Set between Rome and Naples amid the so-called Ulysses Riviera, gorgeous Gaeta overlooks the beautiful Tyrrhenian Sea. Its history as a resort dates back to Imperial Rome. Nearby sites include the first-century BC mausoleum of general Lucius Munatius Plancus. Its old town is mostly medieval, showcased by narrow alleys, the massive 13th-century castle and the 12th-century Cathedral of Assunta e Sant'Erasmo. For relaxing, lovely and central Serapo Beach is a favored locale.

The charms of the Czech Republic's second-largest city may not be immediate, but spend a few days in this Moravian town and Brno's vibrant, authentic Czech ambiance will win you over. It's a fine way to experience Czech life without the teeming herds of tourists that visit Prague. Art Nouveau, Empire and Neoclassical buildings stand in the bar- and restaurant-packed old city center. Leafy parks abound. Be sure to get a photo with a local landmark, the suspiciously crocodilian Brno Dragon statue.

Imerovigli looks exactly as a Santorini village should: iconic whitewashed buildings with sapphire domes, narrow crisscrossing walking paths, epic sunsets. Set sail on a guided boat tour of nearby volcanic features or spend the day exploring the remains of Skaros, a 13th-century Venetian palace. Cap it all off with a simple but decadent meal of local delicacies.

At over 2000 years old, Nijmegen has had a pretty full life. Its transition from Roman military camp to modern municipality has not been without growing pains, but today Nijmegen is thriving, largely because of its lively student population and its status as a hub for political activism. Try to visit during the internationally popular Nijmeegse Vierdaagse four-day walking festival and the epic Zomerfeesten summer party. They happen at the same time, because why not?

Home to the largest seaport in Poland, Szczecin is the country’s seventh largest city. The city played an important role in the anti-communist uprisings of 1970 and the rise of the Solidarity trade union in the 1980s.