Westchester County, a collection of towns that serve as a popular suburb for the bordering New York City, is also the gateway to the Hudson River Valley, an area that promises a plethora of outdoor activities, from sailing to bird-watching to cross country skiing. The County also contains Rye Playland, a popular children's amusement park, historic sites from the American Revolution, the African American Heritage Trail and several famous houses, including Lyndhurst, a Gothic Revival mansion.

A rich 300-year history, a thriving arts community and seemingly endless wilderness make this New York capital city on the Hudson River a great weekend getaway. Outdoor enthusiasts come here to ski, hike, canoe and fish; trout and small-mouth bass fishing is among the best in the U.S. Mountains surround the city, and the tapestry of golds and reds on an autumn day is breathtaking. The city is dominated by an elaborate 10-building complex that includes the State Capitol; the New York State Museum, with life-like dioramas such as American Indian life and an Adirondack logging operation; and the oval-shaped Empire State Performing Arts Centre, nicknamed "The Egg." History buffs will enjoy the colonial homes, historic churches and museums, and can tour 18th-century mansions, like the Schuyler, a superb example of pre-Revolutionary War architecture. Whether nature or history is your passion, you'll find an abundance of both in this upstate New York gem.

It seems like most folks have a grandmother, great-uncle or some other distant relative that used to live in Brooklyn, or perhaps a friend that lives there now. In the early 1900s, it was a mecca for immigrants arriving via Ellis Island. A hundred years later, young professionals and artists left pricey Manhattan digs for Brooklyn's cheaper and more expansive space. Neighbourhoods like Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope, which had fallen into disrepair over the years, were restored and reborn as funky enclaves. Walk or bike over the historic Brooklyn Bridge (or ride the subway) to Brooklyn Heights for a stroll along the Promenade and breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. Meander through Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens for a taste of nature in the urban wilds. Catch a performance at the world-famous Brooklyn Academy of Music. From the delicious Italian restaurants of Bensonhurst to the Irish bars that line the avenues of Bay Ridge, from the hotdogs and rollercoasters of Coney Island to the bagels and handball courts of Greenpoint, Brooklyn is a state of mind as well as a dynamic community. Discover why, no matter where people move on to, they remain Brooklynites at heart.

Travelers come to this small island north of mainland Cuba to bask in the sun, swim in sparkling blue water, and be pampered at an all-inclusive resort. To explore Cuban culture, you’ll need to go farther afield (this is a planned resort development; employees are bused in), but if you’re simply looking for a stress-free tropical break, Cayo Santa Maria might be perfect for you.

As the terminus of the famed Oregon Trail, Oregon City is rich in history as visitors discover when they explore the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Centre, the historic McLoughlin District, or take a kayak tour of Willamette Falls. Oregon City also features the Oregon City Municipal Elevator, a “vertical main street” overlooking the robust selection of farmers’ markets, eateries, craft breweries and shops that line the downtown.

St. Mary’s is a postcard-perfect jumble of castles and coves. It’s the largest island of the United Kingdom’s Isles of Scilly, an archipelago that’s been inhabited for thousands of years. Ancient stone structures, Spanish windmills, lush gardens and breathtaking wetlands all draw visitors longing for a quaint Cornish holiday that’s steeped in history and modern charm.

Caen’s historic centre—with its medieval monuments, Romanesque churches, and poignant memorials—stands testament to the port city's troubled history, caught in the crossfire of Normandy’s most significant battles. Today, a thriving student population injects modernity, bringing with it numerous bars, restaurants, and markets.

Llamas, sheep and alpacas roam the plains of Puno, a port city in southeastern Peru. Their fleeces are used to make the area’s signature textiles, which make excellent souvenirs. You’ll do a lot of walking here, as many of the streets are too steep for cars. But the climbs are worth it for the excellent views of Lake Titicaca. Take a boat to the Floating Islands or get up close and personal with the four-legged locals at a llama farm.

One of Poland’s most beautiful cities, Gdansk, on the Baltic Sea, has played major roles in history, especially in the 20th-century. It was the 1939 flash point of World War II, and then in 1980, the birthplace of the Solidarnosc labor movement, ushering the end of Communist domination in Eastern Europe. Gdansk’s Old Town, painstakingly reconstructed to its Hanseatic League glory after being leveled in World War II, is a highlight. The 14th-century Town Hall houses the city’s historical museum.