St. John’s vibrant main town and port, Cruz Bay is home to most of the 28-square-mile island’s restaurants, bars, stores and dive centers. Two-thirds of affluent St. John is a national park, and many safari buses and jeeps set out from Cruz Bay. Don’t miss local art and history at Elaine Ione Sprauve Museum or the pristine sand of Hawksnest Bay, popular with snorkelers due to its nearby reef. There is no airport; ferries connect the town of 2750 with other U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

More than 60 idyllic islands, including Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, Anegada and Virgin Gorda, make up the BVI. Turquoise waters offer thrilling diving, fishing, sailing and swimming. Tortola is the largest island in the volcanic chain and has beautiful beaches and coves, forts, ruins and warm, welcoming people. Virgin Gorda boasts yacht clubs, chic resorts and secluded sands. Coconut palms shade beaches on tiny Jost van Dyke. Sailing is a popular way to travel between islands. Ferries are the other option.

Made up of St Croix, St John and St Thomas, the laid-back USVI offer sophisticated dining, turquoise waters and quaint towns. On St Croix, Christiansted's colourful Danish Colonial buildings provide a lovely backdrop for dining or sailing, and underwater coral gardens are heaven for divers. On St Thomas, shopping mecca Charlotte Amalie has hopping nightlife. Tranquil St John offers quiet trails, secluded coves and lively Cruz Bay's shops and bars. Ferries and local air services link the islands.

Life just moves a little bit slower on Virgin Gorda, so named because this British Virgin Island resembles a large reclining lady. The laid-back pace of the island is the perfect excuse to take your time, whether you’re wading along the granite grottoes of The Baths, doing some casual snorkeling in Devil’s Bay, or exploring the stone ruins of a 19th century Copper Mine. Hanging out in the hammock at Mad Dog while you sip a Painkiller is the ultimate in Virgin Gorda relaxation.

If you love the beach, but also want a little culture, you'll love Christiansted, one of St Croix's two waterfront towns. Historic churches, charming courtyards, shaded walkways, stone arches, antique lampposts and rows of restored town houses add to the city's appeal. Relax on a tranquil, white-sand beach or float in the aquamarine water. Enjoy the shops, boutiques, galleries, cafés and restaurants, or visit attractions like Fort Christianvaern, the Customs House and the Old Scale House.

Isn’t it romantic? The Caribbean island of St. Croix is practically the backdrop of a Hollywood love story. White sand beaches and lush rainforests set the scene for tropical bliss. Take in the historic small town charm of Christiansted and Frederiksted, sip your way through a spirited tour of the Cruzan Rum Distillery or explore the ruins of a sugar plantation. And the diving…oh, the diving. Think shipwrecks, think vibrant ocean life, think endless underwater possibilities.

If you prefer your beaches without the accompanying commercial developments, Isla de Vieques is your tanning turf, with more than 40 beaches and not one traffic light. Visit Mosquito Bay when the moon is dim to see its famous glowing water (a tiny organism is responsible for the shining effect).

You don't have to choose between visiting a cultural capital or a sunny Caribbean beach destination—San Juan is both. This city's architecture ranges from Spanish colonial to 20th-century Art Deco, while the new Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico presents Latin American and Caribbean artwork in state-of-the-art galleries.

Nestled between the shrub-covered slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the clear blue shores of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara is California at its best. Mission Santa Barbara is an example of 18th-century religious architecture, boasting beautiful grounds and a wonderfully detailed interior. Work up an appetite with a walk through Shoreline Park, then dine above the water on Stearns Wharf. Fig trees, parks, waterfalls, and botanical gardens round out Santa Barbara’s natural beauty.

Founded in the mid-9th century, Ulm enjoyed a long history as a free imperial city, ruled only by the Holy Roman Emperor with no pesky princes in between. An important trade town for centuries, Ulm was also the birthplace of Albert Einstein. Rising 530 feet, Ulm Minster has the world’s tallest steeple, the top of which can be reached via 768 steps. Ulm’s younger sister city, Neo Ulm (or New Ulm) lies just across the Danube River and is part of Bavaria rather than Baden-Wurttemberg.

High in the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo boasts 140 ski runs and over 50 miles of cross-country pistes. Beloved for decades by society types for its après-ski scene, Cortina lies at the center of the Valle d’Ampezzo and has been featured in a number of films, including “Cliffhanger” and “For Your Eyes Only.”