Hailed as the Portuguese equivalent to Venice, maritime Aveiro is perched on the shores of a coastal lagoon. Brightly-coloured moliceiros (traditional boats) cruise the city's canal network, while Aveiro's old town boasts buildings decorated with traditional azulejo tiles.

With its gondolas, canals, amazing restaurants, and unforgettable romantic ambiance, Venice is definitely a city for one's bucket list. Waterfront palazzos, palaces, and churches make drifting down the Grand Canal feel like cruising through a painting. To really experience Venice you must go to the opera or to a classical music performance, nibble fresh pasta and pastries, and linger in the exhibit halls of an art gallery. Label lovers will drool over the high-end shopping in Piazza San Marco.

Potsdam was the residence of the Prussian kings and German Kaisers until 1918. It is the site of the parks and palaces of Sanssouci, the largest World Heritage Site in Germany. The city is now the capital of the German federal state of Brandenburg and a home to three public colleges and a major film production studio.

Copenhagen is one of Europe’s oldest and most popular cities. It’s also one of the cleanest and most metropolitan. The dynamic Danish capital features progressive modern architecture, the must-visit Tivoli Gardens amusement park, stunning palaces, and all the activities and amenities you would expect in a world-class destination. Explore the canals and pretty narrow streets, appreciate beautiful old homes, and find great shopping and people watching on The Ströget.

Over 15 million gallons of water bubble daily into Budapest's 118 springs and boreholes. The city of spas offers an astounding array of baths, from the sparkling Gellert Baths to the vast 1913 neo-baroque Szechenyi Spa to Rudas Spa, a dramatic 16th-century Turkish pool with original Ottoman architecture. The "Queen of the Danube" is also steeped in history, culture and natural beauty. Get your camera ready for the Roman ruins of the Aquincum Museum, Heroes' Square and Statue Park, and the 300-foot dome of St. Stephen's Basilica.

Livingstone is more than just a pitstop for Victoria Falls—it's a destination in its own right. The town has an old-world charm that makes you feel like you've stepped back in time. Brush up on your Zambian history at the Livingstone Museum and grab some samosas from a street vendor for the full experience. And if you need some more adventure, it's never too far. Take a sunset cruise down the Zambezi River or go on a safari to learn about the natural wildlife and environment. Then there's Victoria Falls, of course, where you can choose to get soaked at the bottom or venture out to the edge of Devil's Pool.

Akumal means "Place of the Turtle" in the Mayan language, and if you snorkel here, you just might see one swimming alongside you. (Don’t touch it, though. That’s prohibited by law.) You’ll definitely see coral and beautiful fish in the clear, sparkling waters. This tourist-friendly little town is about an hour south of Cancun—but it seems light-years away.