Cape Town glistens at the southern toe of the African continent. Tourist brochure-views at Blaauwberg Beach and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens are within easy driving distance of "The Mother City." The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve provides sweeping sea vistas, hiking trails and wildlife encounters. On a more somber note, travellers can visit Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 27 years.

From flat-topped Table Mountain down to the blue waters of Table Bay, Cape Town is simply stunning, but the city doesn't thrive by its looks alone. Proudly multicultural, its flourishing arts, dining, and nightlife scenes are proof of this modern metropolis' creativity and innovative spirit.

Shaded spots go early at Cape Town's crowded Camps Bay, where locals picnic and play in the strong Atlantic waves. Look for the flagged bathing areas for safer swims for all the family. Festive cafes sit adjacent to the sands, which are dramatically set at the foot of the Twelve Apostles Mountains.

The village of Franschhoek (French Corner), tucked into the Cape Winelands of South Africa, is known as the country's food and wine capital. Galleries and antique shops fill the tree-lined streets, and vineyards established more than 300 years ago cascade over the hills just outside town. Local activities range from wine-tasting tours to trout fishing and hiking. The Huguenot Memorial Museum honors the town's early settlers, who fled religious persecution in France.

Beautiful Hermanus is a South African seaside town that’s a popular whale-watching site. An initial visit to the Old Harbour Museum will acquaint you with the area’s rich fishing history and impress you with a massive exhibit of a whale skeleton. With dozens of area vineyards, Hermanus is a great base for a guided wine tasting tour.

Now that casinos have spread in South Africa, Sun City is no longer the only gaming hotspot in the country, but it's still visually dramatic. Located two hours from Johannesburg, it's a sprawling complex of luxury hotels, restaurants and Vegas-style shows on the edge of Pilanesberg Game Reserve.

Thanks to its location just to the south of Kruger National Park, Hazyview makes a great base for safari expeditions and adventure tours. It’s an animal lover’s paradise, with opportunities to engage with elephants, ride rescue horses through the hills, spot one or more species on “The Big 5” list, and much more. You can also tour coffee farms, splash in waterfalls or sink into relaxation at an area spa.

From the picturesque canals and brightly painted colonial buildings of its old town to its skyscraper- and palm-fringed beaches, Recife’s skyline reflects its personality—a bold blend of traditionalism and modernism whose free spirit shines during its legendary Carnival celebrations.

Often called "Paris of the Middle East", Beirut is a thriving hotspot for shopping, socializing and sightseeing, despite many wars and unrest. The city has been rebuilt several times, with modern architecture sharing space with Ottoman and colonial French buildings. Bustling streets such as Hamra and Ashrafieh provide hopping nightlife while the National Museum and the Gibran Museum give visitors a taste of the city's history. The Corniche is the place for activities like jogging and biking.