This Bavarian beauty is idyllic and charming, replete with emerald hills and two stunning lakes. Hike the surrounding mountains or spend the day poking around the charming Kochel am See village. Guided tours for all levels of walkers and hikers are the perfect way to experience this charming cultural gem.

Munich was almost completely destroyed in two world wars, yet it's managed to recreate much of its folkloric, Bavarian past. Oktoberfest is legendary, but you can visit the Hofbrauhaus any time of year for an immense beer. Olympiapark, the site of the 1972 games, is not to be missed (you can skate on the Olympic ice rink and swim in the pool). On a somber note, take time to visit the concentration camp at Dachau—it's an intense, yet unforgettable, glimpse into the not-too-distant horrors of the Holocaust.

If you live, eat and breathe skiing, Obertauern is your paradise—its own little mountaintop microcosm where you can literally walk (er, ski) out the door of your charming lodge or B&B and directly enter the slopes. Feeling ambitious? Complete a “Tauern Circuit” of the ski lifts and slopes that encircle the village. The restaurants and lodges offer merry après ski rejuvenation.

Austria's lush heartland, is awash with verdant grass and rich vineyards. Trout fishing, hiking and mountain climbing are popular lures to stunning Styria. The region is also renowned as a culinary hotspot, as well as for its Reisling and Traminer. An emerging ski destination, dozens of ski schools have sprouted on its snowy flanks. State capital Graz is a university town, with a UNESCO-designated Old Town. Thermal resort town Bad Gleichenberg is another top area attraction.

When most people think of Norway, the Western Fjords area is what they picture, with its stunningly beautiful deep waterways carved through rugged mountains by ice age glaciers. Several of the world’s tallest waterfalls are here too, adding to the splendor. An incredible region for cruising, hiking, fishing, biking, rafting, canoeing and summer skiing, the region is also home to fascinating cities like Bergen, Stavanger and Alesund, each chock-full of unique and interesting urban activities.

Sitting on the edge of the Baltic, the modern, cosmopolitan city of Helsinki is the World Design Capital for 2012. The beauty of the surrounding nature blends seamlessly with high-tech achievements and contemporary trends. Walking tours of the city centre show layers of history, while modern architecture and cutting-edge style stake the city's claim to the future. Choose Helsinki during its endless summer days or get adventurous on crisp, snowy winter nights.