Portimao is a sailor’s delight, thanks to its calm waters and beautiful conditions. Plenty of elite international competitions happen here, but you don’t have to be a professional to set sail. Cruising the coast on the double-masted Santa Bernarda pirate ship is a family favorite. On dry land, you can wander the lovely Alvor boardwalk, enjoy a succulent seafood meal or zip around the go-kart track at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.

Set in the heart of the Algarve, the tiny fishing town of Olhos de Agua surrounds a sandy cove lapped by the Atlantic Ocean. Despite its proximity to the developed Albufeira resort, Olhos de Agua retains its authentic Mediterranean charm.

Faro is the best-known city in Portugal’s deservedly famous Algarve region. There’s an archaeological museum and a “Bishops’ Palace,” a Renaissance cathedral that was heavily bombed during World War II, but later rebuilt. Nearby in Estoi are Roman ruins, and Albufeira, also nearby, is a formerly quaint fishing village influenced by the Moors in the 8th century. It’s situated in a cliffside location, and has become famous for its beaches (there are 20) and nightlife.

Located on Mount Desert Island, home of the spectacular Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor is a historic tourist town, offering salty sea air, soft sandy beaches, granite cliffs and a slew of activities for the outdoor enthusiast. A 19th-century resort for the wealthy, the town has several mansions, old majestic hotels and other vestiges of its heyday. Stop by the Hulls Cove Visitor Center to stock up on information about Acadia National Park. Then pick from a wealth of activities: swimming, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, climbing mountains, bird or whale watching, cycling and horse riding. If kayaking is your sport, or you're itching to learn, Coastal Kayaking Tours offers trips for beginner to expert paddlers. Golfers can tee off at the scenic Kebo Golf Club, one of the oldest courses in the US. For a unique adventure, go on a boat excursion with Diver Ed, where you can watch Ed diving 50 feet below on the deck monitor and then learn about the starfish, sea urchins and other sea creatures he retrieves and then returns to their home.