Mostly jutting northward from its largest city of Amsterdam and its capital of Haarlem, the Noord-Holland region has much more to offer beyond those two wonderful cities. At Muiden is the magnificent Muiderslot Castle, as if it stepped out of a fairy tale. Showing more wear but no less interesting is Brederode Castle at Santpoort. At Zaanstad is Zaanse Schans, one of Holland’s top tourist destinations and a family-friendly open air museum of windmills, traditional buildings, crafts and shops.

Zandvort is to Amsterdam what Brighton is to London--a large seaside resort easily reached by train. It takes half an hour to get there from Central Station. It has a long sandy beach and, in common with the rest of the Netherlands coastline, an expanse of sandy dunes which serve to protect the low lying country from the sea. In the summer months, beach bars catering to all tastes line this beach. It is also the site of the Netherlands' most important car racing circuit.

Amsterdam is truly a biker’s city, although pedaling along the labyrinthine streets can get a little chaotic. Stick to walking and you won’t be disappointed. The gentle canals make a perfect backdrop for exploring the Jordaan and Rembrandtplein square. Pop into the Red Light District if you must—if only so you can say you’ve been there. The Anne Frank House is one of the most moving experiences a traveller can have, and the Van Gogh Museum boasts a sensational collection of works.

Home to the Netherlands’ oldest university and the birthplace of Rembrandt, Leiden also served as a several-year stop-off between England and the New World for America’s Pilgrim fathers in the early 17th century. Today, lovely Leiden boasts the second-largest Dutch city center after Amsterdam. The National Museum of Antiquities has an impressive collection of Egyptian artifacts. The Hortus Botanicus, established in 1590, was the site of the planting of Holland’s first tulip bulbs in 1593.

Encompassing two of the Netherlands’ three largest cities (Rotterdam and The Hague), Zuid-Holland (South Holland) is also home to important towns like Leiden, Gouda and Delft. And many lovely smaller towns dot the gorgeous green landscape. Alphen aan den Rijn has several interesting attractions, including Dutch history theme park Archeon. Picturesque Kinderdijk, birthplace of the legend of the Cat and the Cradle, also has many windmills that together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A sizable city in its own right, Arnhem is best known today as the site of one of the most famous battles of World War II. Given city rights in 1233, it has long been at the centre of conflicts because of its strategic location on the banks of the Rhine River. The Battle of Arnhem, part of Operation Market Garden, was fought in September 1944. Advancing Allied forces, in large part due to a series of mistakes, failed to secure a key bridge and suffered defeat, delaying the Allied advance into Germany until the following spring. The 1977 film "A Bridge Too Far" was based on the events here.

Marked by the Tatra (called Tatry locally) Mountains that form the country’s southern border with Slovakia, Southern Poland consists of three Viovodships (Provinces): Opole, Silesian and Lesser Poland (Malopolska). Many beautiful medieval castles are still found in the region, including Moszna in Opole and the massive 400-room Ksiaz in Silesia. Lesser Poland is home to bustling Krakow, the country’s third-largest city. The region’s mountains and green areas are perfect for outdoor adventure.

Oviedo is a treasure trove of Spanish religious architecture, dotted with monasteries, cathedrals and shrines that date all the way back to the 9th century. Soak up the rich history of the city by experiencing El Fontán Market, the San Isidoro el Real Church and the Castle of San Juan de Priorio, then shift aesthetic gears and check out modern architectural gems like the Prince Felipe Auditorium and the Jirafa building.

Serving as the main port town for the island of the same name, the town of Ischia has been inhabited for centuries, famous for its beaches and the healing waters of its spas. The town is divided in two: Ischia Porto is the harbor district and commercial center of the island, filled with brightly lit taverns and bars, and Ischia Ponte, the historic quarter, with its ancient castle and its stone streets seemingly frozen in time.

Resorts and reefs are the draw on Israel’s skinny Red Sea coastline, and Eilat tempts visitors with sun that lasts all year round. Sandy beaches, warm waters, and nightlife complete the package, along with desert scenery that’s just beyond the crowded coast.

A place like no other, Tobermory is hailed as the “scuba diving capital of Canada.” The lakeside town is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, which offer the perfect lens to explore the area’s 20-plus shipwrecks. Those looking for adventure on land will want to check out the Bruce Peninsula National Park. Equipped with both camping grounds and RV sites, this popular attraction is a favourite with hikers (the scenic trails are teeming with diverse flora and fauna) and also provides access to The Grotto, a wave-formed sea cave with an underwater tunnel that leads to Georgian Bay.

Yes, Cape May is, technically, on the Jersey Shore. But it’s the antithesis of the Jersey Shore you’ll see on TV—instead of nightclubs and tanning parlors, you’ll find Victorian mansions and a famous lighthouse.