Sandy, peaceful beaches and ancient ruins beckon travelers to Chersonisos, a one-time Roman port on the island of Crete. This is a family-friendly place, with plenty of activities for kids. The Lychnostatis Open Air Museum gives you the chance to explore the trades and lifestyles of early islanders. Exhibits include a herbarium, olive oil and wine presses and workshops on ceramics, shoe making and weaving. The aquarium showcases local sea creatures, as do the town's many traditional cafes, though in a completely different (and more delicious) manner.

Land of Mermaids. Land of Orange and Lemon Groves. Land of Colors. This small city in Campania has earned a plethora of alluring names. Famed for its sea cliffs, the town's steep slopes look out over azure waters to Ischia, Capri and the Bay of Naples. The birthplace of Limoncello liqueur offers some good diving, great sea fishing, boat cruises and appetizing restaurants. Excellent hiking trails cross the peninsula. Rent a car or take a taxi if the steep streets look too intimidating.

Everyone who visits Paris for the first time probably has the same punchlist of major attractions to hit: The Louvre, Notre Dame, The Eiffel Tower, etc. Just make sure you leave some time to wander the city’s grand boulevards and eat in as many cafes, bistros and brasseries as possible. And don’t forget the shopping—whether your tastes run to Louis Vuitton or Les Puces (the flea market), you can find it here.

Monolithic gates still protect Amersfoort, a well-preserved medieval city that remains connected to its history. Built into the foundations of 13th-century defensive walls, the Muurhuizen wall houses are one of the city’s most intriguing features. Art enthusiasts should visit the Mondriaan House (birthplace of abstract artist Piet Mondriaan) and the Armando Museum, a collection of works by the famed Dutch painter.

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.

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.