Having survived thousands of years of successive civilizations from the Egyptians, Greco-Romans, Muslims, Crusaders, Mongols, Ottomans and French to the modern Arab era, Damascus is one of the most resilient and historic cities on Earth. Its ruins lay up to 8 feet deep under its surface and the Old City is home to Roman era ramparts, gates, the Umayyad Mosque and legendary churches including the Chapel of St. Paul. Bab Sharqi and the Souk Medhat Pasha lay on a street dating to biblical times.

Pajara, on Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, has several beautiful beaches. Head to the eastern side of the island for white-sand beaches with calm waters; on the west coast, you’ll find black volcanic sand and rougher surf. The church of Nuestra Señora de Regla is worth a visit—the designs on its façade show Aztec influence, according to some experts.