Elkhart is a lively small city in the heart of rustic Amish country, complimenting the rural charm of northern Indiana with world class shopping and dining, lush green spaces, exciting festivals and events throughout the year. Witness the Amish hard at work in the small villages surrounding the city, or discover vibrant arts and nightlife in the revitalized downtown area. Head to verdant Island Park, where the St. Joseph and Elkhart rivers merge, for an oasis of calm within the city downtown.

New Buffalo is a Lake Michigan beach getaway convenient to Indiana and Chicago. The large, broad public beach is the main attraction, but you can also explore downtown New Buffalo's shopping and dining options. Or, if you feel like taking a chance, the Four Winds Casino Resort has 130,000 square feet of gaming space. Owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, its design evokes their heritage.

Fort Wayne serves up the perfect mix of urban convenience and natural beauty, boasting a world class cultural scene in a landscape enhanced by plenty of green space. Shopaholics can find the latest trends at open air Jefferson Pointe. The kids will love the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, while the adults can take in a performance at the Embassy Theater. Joggers, hikers and cyclists can keep active on the Rivergreenway that links the city's parks, where they may come across Johnny Appleseed's Grave.

If you’re a history buff and a die-hard foodie, Chicago’s your kind of town. Take an architectural-history walking tour, then dine at Alinea (the most celebrated molecular-gastronomy restaurant in the U.S.). And don’t miss the Museum of Science and Industry, the biggest science museum in the Western Hemisphere.

Villavicencio is a hub for cattle farming, and the area abounds with cowboys. You could stay on a ranch for a night or two before moseying off to the more oft-visited grassland plains of Los Llanos. If you care to stay awhile, Villavicencio has plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and eco-tourism. Don’t miss the Caño Cristales, a beautifully multi-colored river filled with vibrant plants and minerals that’s appropriately nicknamed “The Liquid Rainbow.”

With its seafront lido, busy international port, and waterfront Barbican district, Plymouth’s maritime heritage takes centre stage, but head inland and the numerous museums, shopping malls, and arts venues reveal why it’s earned the title of Devon’s cultural capital.

Often overlooked by English-speaking tourists, Muenster is a small university city near the Dutch border. The Altstadt (old town) was rebuilt after WWII to resemble its mediaeval predecessor, and you'll find most museums and historic attractions are here. For trendy clubs and restaurants, head over to the Hafen ("harbour") district.

The brightest stars of Los Baleares are Majorca, Ibiza and peaceful Minorca. Situated between France and Africa, the archipelago's islands each have distinct characters. Majorca is the most developed and offers a mass of hotels, fast food joints and crowded beaches. Ibiza is loved by a hard partying set, including many gay visitors. It is also increasingly popular with upscale travellers, drawn by the chameleon island's reputation as the new Provence. Pick an island and stake a claim on its sand.

Poznan was once the capital of Poland and is still the capital of the Wielkopolska region. Poznan lies midway between Berlin and Warsaw, which has helped make it an important town for centuries. Badly damaged in World War II, the city (especially its Old Town) has been beautifully restored. The huge Old Town Square (Stary Rynek) is one of Europe’s nicest, and is lined by fabulous historic attractions, restaurants and nightlife. The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is Poland’s oldest cathedral.