The most suburban of the five boroughs, Staten Island is often neglected as a tourist destination. Take a ride from Manhattan on the Staten Island Ferry and get some of the best views of New York City for free, then stick around and see what Staten Island has to offer. Check out the Himalayan monastery-style Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, or visit Historic Richmond Town for a recreation of colonial New York. The beautiful Hamilton Park neighborhood was the setting for "The Godfather."

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.

Nestled in a picturesque valley just 75 miles north of Los Angeles, Ojai is brimming with small town charm and creativity. Get lost in locally owned boutiques with hand-crafted wares, galleries, and distinctive cafes. Explore the outdoors with opportunities to horseback ride, mountain bike, rock climb, hike, golf or play tennis. Surrounded by scenic hills and aromatic orchards, Ojai is the perfect place for a rejuvenating retreat.

Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, has become an increasingly popular place to visit in recent years, with a warm Mediterranean climate in spite of its place facing the Atlantic Ocean. Full of bleached white limestone buildings and intimate alleyways, Lisbon's mix of traditional architecture and contemporary culture makes it the perfect place for a family holiday. Things to do in Lisbon: As Portugal's capital, there is a lot to see and do in Lisbon. Even exploring the city centre will take a few days out of a family holiday as there is no real central district, although Praça do Comércio is a good central place to start, in Baxia, or Rossio, the city's main square which has a sort of Trafalgar Square feel to it. Or you might try climbing up the Cristo Rei, a huge statue of Christ with spectacular views across the whole city. The Castelo de São Jorge also offers great views and isn't quite such a steep climb. A short tram ride to the west of Lisbon will also bring you to Belem, where you can explore attractions like the Belem Tower and the Belem Cultural Centre, which features a fantastic art collection including works by Dali, Picasso, Warhol and Magritte. In downtown Lisbon, you'll also want to visit the Gulbenkian, which has to be Portugal's answer to the British Museum full of fascinating cultural artifacts and with some superb gardens in the grounds. It's possible to have a fascinating educational family holiday in Lisbon, and there are also plenty of great beaches to work on your tan.

From Shoreditch’s swaggering style to Camden’s punky vibe and chic Portobello Road, London is many worlds in one. The city’s energy means that no two days are the same. Explore royal or historic sites, tick off landmarks from your bucket list, eat and drink in exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants, enjoy a pint in a traditional pub, or get lost down winding cobbled streets and see what you stumble across – when it comes to London, the possibilities are endless.

The golden sands, yacht-filled marinas, and coastal promenades of Les Sables-d'Olonne are characteristic of France’s Côte de Lumière, or Coast of Light, and the lively beach resort provides a suitably picturesque backdrop for the annual Vendée Globe yacht race.

Jutland's cultural heart, Århus is an exuberant university town with a perfectly preserved old town and a recreated historic village, Den Gamle By. The top draw is the Moesgard Museum of Prehistory, showcasing exhibits from the Stone Age to Viking days and home to the city's most famous citizen, the 2000-year-old Grauballe Man. It's a lively spot, teeming with cafes, restaurants, clubs and cinemas. Denmark's second-largest city perches on Jutland's eastern coast amid beaches and woodland.

Many people travel through Frankfurt for business, as it's a major transportation hub and an industrial and financial metropolis. Of course we know that business travellers hate to have any fun on the road (wink), but it's worth lingering in Frankfurt if you can. The 2,000-year-old city has much to offer: skyscrapers, the Main River, a famous opera house, thriving theatre district, zoo, pedestrian shopping street, parks, scores of bars and dance clubs, and more than 50 museums.

We hear the question, "What’s the next Prague?" a lot. But while we’re all for discovering great new destinations, we hardly think Prague is over. Sure, everyone’s heard of it, but it’s still a grand city with extraordinary historic and cultural sights, and it’s definitely worth a visit. The often-rebuilt Prague Castle has overlooked the city since the 9th century, and the synagogues and cemetery of the Jewish Quarter are must-sees. Nightlife here is diverse and plentiful, from trendy clubs to sophisticated wine bars to late-night cellar bars.

Overlooking the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea, petite Polignano a Mare is home to some of Puglia’s loveliest beaches. Ringed by dramatic cliffs, the Lama Monachile Beach—also known as Cala Porte—is one of the most coveted, and most photographed, in the region.