The gateway to the Loire Valley, Tours offers plenty to admire in its own right. Gothic architecture, café-lined squares, and manicured gardens conjure up a Parisian atmosphere without the crowds in this university town tucked between the banks of the Loire and Cher rivers.

A quick trip away from Ancona, the capital of the Le Marche province, pretty Senigallia is best known for its top-notch beaches—with velveteen sand and gentle tides, they’re perfect for families. The Rotonda a Mare, an art deco pier, is another highlight.

Romantic Naples, two hours south of Rome, is the largest city in southern Italy. It has some of the world's best opera and theatre houses and is often called an open-air museum, due to its many historic statues and monuments. Join families on the promenade as the sun sets on the Bay of Naples. View finds from Pompeii and Herculaneum, destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale or revel in the art and architecture of Museo Cappella Sansevero, built in the late 1500s.

Each year, horse enthusiasts hoof it to Louisville and Churchill Downs, the legendary home of the Kentucky Derby. In addition to equestrian endeavours and bluegrass roots, Louisville boasts a range of exciting attractions the whole family can enjoy. Stroll through Central Park, in the historic district, to people-watch and get a real feel for the city. Visit other nearby parks for hiking, biking and fossil-hunting. Baseball fans will love the Louisville Slugger Museum, a celebration of the sport's legends. The museum is easy to spot, just look for the enormous bat that leans against the building.