Go fly a kite in Warnemünde! The breeze off the Baltic Sea is frequently strong enough, and the local shops sell colorfully decorated kites for you to fly. The wide beach at the mouth of the river Warnow invites sunbathers, while the sea is ideal for sailing or an afternoon cruise in a hired boat. For the best panoramic views, the lighthouse is the place to visit.

The smallest of the Trójmiasto (Tri-Cities), the Baltic Sea spa town of Sopot is smack between Gdansk and Gdynia, just a few miles from each. A retreat for the rich and royal for centuries, Sopot’s exclusive air remained even through the Communist era, and the tony town has undergone a building boom in recent years. Boasting beautiful beaches and ritzy resorts, Sopot is also known for its Wooden Pier (the longest in Europe), the lovely mid-woods Forest Opera and lively Monte Cassino Street.

Marked by the Tatra (called Tatry locally) Mountains that form the country’s southern border with Slovakia, Southern Poland consists of three Viovodships (Provinces): Opole, Silesian and Lesser Poland (Malopolska). Many beautiful medieval castles are still found in the region, including Moszna in Opole and the massive 400-room Ksiaz in Silesia. Lesser Poland is home to bustling Krakow, the country’s third-largest city. The region’s mountains and green areas are perfect for outdoor adventure.

The “little nest” of Kenmare is part of the famed Ring of Kerry, making it a prime stop for a spot of lunch and a pint. But before you go on your merry way, check out the area’s Bronze Age stone circle, one of the largest in southwest Ireland. The peaceful glens and streams of Gleninchaquin make a wonderful backdrop for a picnic, which you can work off on a walk along the Kenmare section of the Beara Way.

Dubbed the Queen City, Charlotte reigns over a 300-square-mile (482-square-kilometre) hodgepodge of neighbourhoods that spin out from the banks of the Catawba River. From brewery-heavy art districts to historical corridors dripping in charm, consider Charlotte a crowd pleaser.