Nestled in the heart of the Green Mountains, this former iron-mining town today is the quintessential Vermont getaway, complete with a white steeple church, antique shops and cozy country inns. Manchester is a true all-season destination. In winter, skiers arrive to hit the downhill slopes at nearby Bromley and Stratton Mountains or the cross-country trails at Hildene. Spring and summer bring hikers who can opt for easy treks through Merrick Forest or more challenging ones like Prospect Rock, a three-mile hike, mostly uphill, that offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains as reward to those who make it. Manchester fly-fishing is also a popular pastime, drawing enthusiasts from around the country who come to learn or hone their skills. Big name outlet stores in Manchester Centre draw shoppers year-round. In the fall, it's all about foliage. Enjoy the vibrant colours from a canoe on the mighty Battenkill River, a bicycle along a scenic path or kick back and take it all in from a comfy rocking chair on the porch of a historic inn. No matter what your vantage point, the show is always spectacular.

Known as Vermont's best skiing mountain, Killington is the biggest ski area in New England. With steep slopes for advanced downhill skiers and several trails that crisscross the mountain for cross-country fanatics, it is no wonder that this is the most popular place to ski in New England.

Middlebury survived being almost entirely destroyed during the Revolutionary War to become the home of Vermont's original marble quarries, as well as a popular vacation destination, filled with charming country inns. Middlebury offers visitors the opportunity to shop for crafts, folk art and locally grown produce amidst beautiful woods and farmland. The nearby village of Ripton features the Robert Frost Wayside Trail, leading poetry fans through the woods that inspired his most famous poems.

To the first-time visitor, Palermo is a city of ever-changing character. An abundance of dusty museums, Arabian domes and flourishes of baroque splendor jostle with boisterous markets, chaotic traffic and oppressive summer heat. The Sicilian hotspot is a noisy, polluted, often dangerous, but always fascinating city. Don't miss marvels of Arab-Norman architecture, such as 12th-century Palazzo dei Normanni or San Giovanni degli Eremiti. Ask your hotel to arrange cabs and negotiate fares before setting off.