Barranquilla sits near the mouth of the Magdalena River on Columbia's Caribbean side. It is a major seaport and a center of commerce, but everyone breaks loose for four days in February for one of the liveliest carnivals outside of Rio.

This quaint port city is breathtakingly beautiful! Surrounded by peaks, Seward fjords are the perfect whale and porpoise habitat, and both seals and puffins fill the Alaska SeaLife Center. Those looking for a challenge can hike the western trail to the summit of Mount Marathon.

Saint John is a culturally-rich seaport city on New Brunswick's Bay of Fundy. History and natural wonders combine to make this locale a hidden Canadian gem.

Austria is located just east of Switzerland; northeast of Italy. The foremost attraction is skiing or hiking the Alps--equally breathtaking whether you're among its glorious peaks or at ground level. Visit the capital of Vienna, with its original coffee houses and the opera; or take a country drive and visit its charming villages.

This charming little capital town of Slovakia is the perfect destination for those who want a European experience with a quieter and less crowded feel. You could spend hours strolling the cobblestone streets of the Gothic old town, or the beautiful Bratislava Castle, a restored Baroque castle.