Though Salina’s rocky beaches nod to its volcanic composition, today the island is as tranquil as can be. Think olive farms, think caper bushes, think storybook trees heavy with plump figs and citrus fruits. Salina is a place for your taste buds to swoon over nature’s sweetest and saltiest bounties. Cap each meal with a sip of the islands signature Malvasia dessert wine. When your belly needs a break, explore Salina’s stone lanes, pebble beaches, and the twin volcanos, dormant for 13,000 years.

Volcanic Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea provide the cinema-worthy backdrop for Taormina, Sicily's legendary resort town. Twisting mediaeval streets and a second-century Greek theatre add to its romantic air, which inspired the writings of D.H. Lawrence and Truman Capote. Take a cable car to the beach, or walk uphill behind the Church of St. Joseph for panoramic views.

At Sicily’s northeast tip, Messina is the first city being kicked by mainland Italy’s boot, just three miles across the Strait of Messina. It's a main port of entry for visitors via hydrofoils and ferries. Trains board the ferry, too, before continuing service. The 12th-century Norman cathedral, rebuilt after a 1908 earthquake destroyed it and much of the town, is the most famous attraction.

Perhaps you're in town simply to catch a ferry to Sicily. If you can, though, try to take a later boat so you can explore Reggio di Calabria. The Lungomare road is a spectacular seaside walk. And the Bronzi di Riace, ancient Greek bronze statues discovered in the early 1970s, are worth seeking out at the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia.

Catania has been a prize of many empires over the centuries, from Greeks to Romans to Arabs to Normans to Spaniards (to name a few). But its citizens have a more dangerous enemy right in their backyard—Mount Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano, which destroyed the city with earthquakes and lava flows in 1693. Look closely at the baroque buildings dating from after the eruption—you'll notice a creative use of lava.

One of the most historic sites in Spain, Girona lies in northeast Catalonia, just 99 km (62 mi) from Barcelona. Founded by Romans, the city later was taken over by Moors and Franks before finally falling under the rule of Barcelona. Influenced by different cultures and religions, the city beckons visitors with beautiful architecture. The Old and New Town offer many opportunities to pleasurably get lost and observe local life and culture.

In progressive Berlin, the old buildings of Mitte gracefully coexist with the modern Reichstag. Don't miss top historic sights like the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz. The city's great zoo makes for a fun break from touring the staider attractions.

Copenhagen is one of Europe’s oldest and most popular cities. It’s also one of the cleanest and most metropolitan. The dynamic Danish capital features progressive modern architecture, the must-visit Tivoli Gardens amusement park, stunning palaces, and all the activities and amenities you would expect in a world-class destination. Explore the canals and pretty narrow streets, appreciate beautiful old homes, and find great shopping and people watching on The Ströget.

The U.A.E.'s northernmost Emirate offers a wealth of diversions between its miles of white sandy beaches and turquoise sea, majestic Hajjar Mountains and magnificent desert sand dunes. Catch a camel race, try your hand at the shooting range or soar with a microlight aircraft at Jazirah Aviation Club. Taxis and car hire are available, and it's an easy 40-minute drive from Dubai International Airport. Don't miss Ras Al Khaimah Museum, the 120-store Manar Mall or the area's amazing belly dancers.

The holy city of Rishikesh, in the base of the Himalayas, holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for local Hindus. Sacred rivers and mountains set the scene for yoga and reflective hikes, and rafting here is an absolute must. The Beatles got in touch with their Eastern spiritual side here, writing several songs during a 1968 stint at a local ashram.

Although the name suggests otherwise, the Blue Mountains is an actual town in Grey County that consists of several small communities including Thornbury, Christie Beach, Clarksburg, Heathcote and Ravenna. The area is very picturesque and scenic in the summer months and during "apple season" in the autumn, but the town is most famous for its mountains. Tourists flock to Intrawest's Blue Mountain Ski Resort year-round for its wide array of offerings. If you aren't in the mood for skiing or snowboarding, take a stroll through Blue Mountain Village and enjoy a coffee at one of the cafes or a meal in one of the many restaurants located in the village.