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.

The biggest draws to St. Thomas are beautiful beaches and duty-free shopping. Once your luggage is full of china, crystal, liquor and jewelry, you can explore life outside the markets, and there's no shortage of options.  You can visit Fort Christian, the 17th century Dutch stronghold; swim or snorkel in the calm blue waters of Magens Bay; hop a ferry to St. John; or just lie beside the pool with a daiquiri.

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.

Once an important center for sugar production, Puerto Rico's fourth largest city's current fortunes come from its factories. Intriguing nicknames for the city of nearly 200,000 include The Land of Giants and Arm Hackers Town. Situated on the island's north shore, this Atlantic city is considered part of the metropolitan San Juan area. Popular attractions include Carolina Beach, Casa Escute art gallery, Caribbean Raceway Park and Isla Verde Mall. To make the most of your visit, consider renting a car.

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.

Boynton Beach boasts the perfect weather for outdoor activities. Take a leisurely stroll and immerse yourself in the sights and wonderful vegetation at the National Wildlife Refuge. Go diving with Boynton Beach’s favorite guide, Kevin, at Underwater Explorers, snorkel in Gulf Stream Park’s crystal clear waters, and indulge in Middle Eastern cuisine at the buzzing Zaza’s Fresh Mediterranean restaurant.

There's something for everyone in Andorra la Vella, capital of the Principality of Andorra. Take a stroll through the historical centre and discover the Casa de la Vall (the former parliament) and the avant-garde modern parliament. If you like Romanesque art, visit the church of Santa Coloma and the Margineda medieval bridge. Nature lovers can enjoy an urban hike at the Rec del Solà or the Rec del Obac, or be seduced by the Enclar Valley’s remarkable fauna and flora. Need a shopping fix? Peruse the popular Meritxell shopping area.

If you’re visiting Oberammergau in a year ending with zero, it’s all about the Passion Play. Villagers have performed it since the 17th century. It’s seven hours long (thankfully, with an intermission), and about half the townspeople participate in 100+ performances between May and October. And since hundreds of thousands are expected to attend over the course of those performances, if you’re in town, you’ll have company.

Easily accessible from both Bologna and Ravenna, the resort town of Cervia is a scenic enclave on Emilia-Romagna’s Adriatic Coast. In addition to its peaceful beaches, Cervia is known for its historical salt museum, which makes for quite an unconventional attraction.