Sprawling along the edge of the Thermaic Gulf, Thessaloniki is a seaside showcase of Greek history from ancient Roman and Byzantine ruins to the modern high-rises lining its beaches. Plus, after sundown, Greece’s cultural capital hums with some of the best nightlife options in the Aegean.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's fascinating capital Sarajevo nestles among dramatic peaks, a bustling and welcoming city. War took its toll, with the 1992-1996 siege hitting hard. But the lively, diverse, museum-rich city has been almost entirely reconstructed. Don't miss Bijambare caves, set in thick forests and amid lakes to the north of the city, or Bosna Springs, from which the country takes its name. Site of 1984's Winter Olympics, Sarajevo offers spectacular skiing on Mount Bjelasnica Jahorina.