Gatlinburg, at the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is an ideal base for a family looking to explore the park's numerous offerings. After you've gone hiking, fishing, rafting or horseback riding, ride an elevator 342 feet to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle for stunning views of the Smokies. There's also an amusement centre next door with nifty rides and games.

During the Civil War, Knoxville's Mabry-Hazen House served as headquarters for both the Confederate and Union armies. Today you can visit the house and other historic homes in this eastern Tennessee city. Among Knoxville's other attractions are museums, a zoo and the park that housed the 1982 World's Fair. University of Tennessee sports draw lots of fans, as does the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. To see Knoxville from the water, take a leisurely riverboat ride down the Tennessee River.

A gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Blue Ridge is home to beautiful lakes and spectacular mountains. Part of the Appalachians, the Blue Ridge range was aptly named for the bluish color that is most obvious when viewed from a distance. Great for hiking, relaxing or just enjoying the serenity, the mountains are a treat for anyone interested in a peaceful getaway.

Helen, a Bavarian Alps replica town in Appalachian Georgia, is home to an Oktoberfest for the ages, overflowing with two-litre beer glasses and Germany's famous bratwursts.  To recover from the festivities, the savviest make their way to Cedar Creek Luxury Cabins on the edge of the Chattahoochee National Forest.

If you’re into eating locally and supporting sustainable agriculture, go to Ashville—and eat, eat, eat. This town of less than 100,000 people has 17 farmers’ markets, and the local restaurant scene is all about taking advantage of the seasonal produce sold there. And don’t miss the area’s microbreweries.

Often overlooked in favor of Porto and Lisbon, Coimbra sits on the banks of the winding Mondego River. After a day spent among the city's medieval architecture and grand university buildings, it's easy to see why Coimbra was Portugal's capital for over a century.

Petropolis is the closest mountain resort to Rio, and a favorite getaway destination with cariocas. The Imperial Museum houses some of the most important objects in Brazilian history. Petropolis offers plenty in the way of ecotourism and adventure opportunities as well as rich historic architecture and cooler weather.