La Rioja, located in northern Spain, is best known for its wine, but the region offers much more than vineyard views. Its capital, Logroño, sits along the Camino de Santiago and has welcomed travelers for centuries. The city’s historic center is compact and lively, with narrow streets lined by centuries-old churches, pintxo bars, and quiet plazas.

Sighisoara rises above the Târnava Mare River as one of the few medieval citadels in Europe that is still lived in and admired today. Its historic center has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999, recognized for its long history as a fortified Saxon settlement and its role in trade and defense on the edges of central Europe. Wander through cobbled alleys framed by pastel-colored houses, and the layers of time feel close at hand, from the city walls and guild towers to busy cafés.

This Sicily harbor city is divided from Italy proper by the Strait of Messina. Visitors marvel at the Gothic, bell-towered Norman Messina Cathedral.

A frequent stop for Caribbean cruises, this Central American destination will delight you with local flea markets, museums, and delicious eats.

Cut length wise by the Turkish/Greek border, the island of Cyprus leads two lives. The Turkish side is traditional and Islamic, while the Greek side is a very modern vacation destination.