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.

The home of Majorcan merrymarking, the resort town of Magaluf offers sun-soaked beaches by day and buzzing nightlife once the sun sets. Theme parks and upscale hotels cater to families, while unihabited islets off the coast await exploration.

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.

The brightest stars of Los Baleares are Majorca, Ibiza and peaceful Minorca. Situated between France and Africa, the archipelago's islands each have distinct characters. Majorca is the most developed and offers a mass of hotels, fast food joints and crowded beaches. Ibiza is loved by a hard partying set, including many gay visitors. It is also increasingly popular with upscale travellers, drawn by the chameleon island's reputation as the new Provence. Pick an island and stake a claim on its sand.

Attracting visitors from all parts of the world, Majorca is a dreamy island destination in the Mediterranean Sea, just off the southeast coast of Spain. There's something for every taste—beaches and coves, a spectacular mountain range, romantic fishing villages and a rustic countryside dotted with almond and olive groves.

With its extensive sands, shallow bay, and mountainous backdrop, its no surprise that Port d'Alcudia is a popular family destination. Nearby wetlands provide a natural escape, while the town's beaches are ideal for sunbathing and water sports alike.

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.

You’ll find 17th-century, Italian-style buildings and an interesting old cathedral here. However, many travellers are drawn to Ciudadela’s lively nightlife and fiestas, including the Processo dels Tres Tocs on January 17 and a celebration of Sant Joan, the town’s patron saint, on June 23–24. They feature dancing, parades and pomada, a drink combining gin and lemon.

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.

San Gimignano, known as the "city of beautiful towers," had 72 towers in its heyday. Now 14 remain, and, rising above Tuscany's Elsa Valley, they make the town look like a mediaeval dreamscape. Take in the fresco-covered Collegiate Church, the Civic Museum and the views from atop 177-foot Torre Grossa. Daytrippers from Florence tend to fill up the streets during the day, so for a more up-close-and-personal look at the town, spend the night.

The châteaux, towns, and villages of the Loire Valley are within easy reach of Blois—but there’s more to this hillside city than its Loire River location. Its royal château, the one-time favorited stronghold of kings, is the star attraction, and there’s enough gardens, churches, and medieval old town lanes to fill any itinerary.

Swanage was a popular seaside resort in Victorian times, and families today continue to enjoy its shallow, calm beach. The recently restored Swanage Pier is a popular spot for fishing. Diving trips and boat tours also depart from here. Don’t miss a trip through the local countryside on the Swanage Steam Railway.

Sometimes referred to as the capital of Africa, Addis Ababa is a buzzing hub of economic, social and political activity and home to such notable offices as the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The diversity of its people is reflected in the many churches, mosques and museums, including the Ethiopian National Museum which houses the fossilized skeleton of Dinkinesh, or Lucy, the Australopithecine discovered in the area in the 1970s.

The kings of the Wodeyar dynasty set the bar high for the southern cultural capital of Mysore. Ornate palaces and the Gothic St. Philomena's Church with its 175-foot spires pack a visual punch; local institutions keep Carnatic classical music and dance in the public eye. A prominent 11th-century temple sits atop 1,000 steps on the city's outskirts. Dress to the nines and party like a rock star in celebration of Mysore heritage during the lively Dussehra festival, held for 10 days in October/November.