Just south of the Majorcan capital, Playa de Palma’s golden coastline is lined by luxury hotels, international restaurants, and lively bars. Popular with revelers, the resort strip also offers water sports facilities and easy access to the airport, making it a convenient hub for any sunseeker.

Majorca has many beach towns, but if you like your sunny holiday served with a touch of history on the side, you should definitely consider Calvia. Homes and churches date from the 17th century (and earlier), and there are even the remains of a Roman villa.

Set in a sheltered cove, Santa Ponsa's standout attraction is its vast beach, where sunseekers sprawl against a backdrop of pine trees. The resort town combines old and new, with a modern marina and waterfont promenade alongside ancient archaeological sites and a nearby nature preserve.

Looking for a great, family-friendly beach destination in Majorca? Alcudia’s a great bet. Splash and play at the beautiful beach, enjoy a meal at a pub that welcomes kids… and have some old-fashioned fun playing arcade games and exploring nearby towns.

With its calm waters, sandy bays, and family-friendly vibe, Cala d'Or is an easy-going alternative to Majorca's more popular resort destinations. Charming cobbled streets wind past whitewashed buildings, and lengthy sunlight hours allow plenty of time for exploring the town's woodland surrounds.

A laid-back resort town on Majorca's eastern shores, Cala Millor offers sun, sea, and scenery on par with its west-coast sisters—but without the bacchanalian behaviour. Instead, a vast beach, rocky coves, and relaxed bars cater to families in search of a stress-free sojourn.

Far from Ibiza's party towns, Santa Eulalia del Rio attracts a calmer clientele with its white-sand beaches and laid-back nightlife. Traditional Mediterranean buildings and a 16th-century church overlook a yacht-filled marina, while Ibiza's only river borders the town's southern reaches.

Ibiza: Old Spanish for "party 'til you drop." Perhaps not literally, but this is definitely one of Europe's favourite nightlife playgrounds. Ibiza boasts more than 100 miles of coastline with some 50 beaches, plus plenty of restaurants, bars, and water sports—and clubs, of course. Fit in a little culture and visit Ibiza's UNESCO-designated old town.

The Costa Dorada is one of the main tourist destinations on the Mediterranean. It is a rich and varied territory, with a long coastline bathed in sunshine and an interior dotted by quiet villages and cultivated fields. The Costa Dorada is much more than sun, sea and sand. It offers its visitors a wide range of leisure activities, culture, nature and history in an ideal setting of peace and tranquillity, perfect for holidays with the whole family.

You'll find rugged beauty and a slow pace in the Cinque Terre. Named for the five towns of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, this portion of the Italian Riviera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cars aren't allowed, so take local trains or ferries to go from town to town—or walk one of the spectacular trails that connect them.

An elegant resort town on the southern edge of Lake Garda, Sirmione has attracted holiday-goers for centuries. 13th-century Scaligero Castle and the Roman ruins of the Grotte di Catullo are top of the list for most visitors, as is swimming in the lake’s crystal-clear waters.

High in the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo boasts 140 ski runs and over 50 miles of cross-country pistes. Beloved for decades by society types for its après-ski scene, Cortina lies at the center of the Valle d’Ampezzo and has been featured in a number of films, including “Cliffhanger” and “For Your Eyes Only.”

An expansive beach resort on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, lively Sunny beach appeals to young international travellers for its sand dunes, watersports, and thrumming nightlife. Clubs and bars draw crowds of merrymakers, while an amusement and water park offer daytime entertainment.

Ecotourism is alive and kicking on St. John. There's more than enough to do on land, from watching for wildlife in the national park to hiking miles of trails or strolling sandy white beaches. Hit the water for amazing snorkeling, swimming, even underwater photography—of course. This is the Caribbean, after all.

Named for Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford has grown to become Canada’s premier arts town. In addition to the annual Stratford Festival, performing from April through October, Stratford is always filled with theatre, music and visual arts. The preserved 19th-century architecture and acres of parks and gardens (along its own Avon River, no less) are certain to charm. Stratford has also gained a reputation for culinary creativity, showcased at some of the finest restaurants in the country.

Charming Mackinac Island is a throwback to old-timey seaside leisure, from the candy-colored facades of downtown shops to the impressive (record-breaking, in fact) front porch of the Victorian-era Grand Hotel. Mackinac is world-famous for its homemade fudge, available in every flavor you can imagine. Work off your sugar high with a round of golf, a bike ride along a seaside trail, or exploring the limestone bluffs of Mackinac Island State Park.