It’s nicknamed the Eternal City for a reason. In Rome, you can drink from a street fountain fed by an ancient aqueduct. Or see the same profile on a statue in the Capitoline Museum and the guy making your cappuccino. (Which, of course, you know never to order after 11 am.) Rome is also a city of contrasts—what other place on earth could be home to both the Vatican and La Dolce Vita?

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.

This tiny twin island republic offers an enticing mix of cultural activities and eco-adventure. Located just off the tip of Venezuela, lively Trinidad, the larger of the two, boasts energetic nightlife in its modern capital, Port-of- Spain. Driving on the North Coast Road reveals lush forest and breathtaking views. Tobago, two hours away by fast ferry, is comparatively serene. Azure seas contrast with pale pink sands and golden sunsets. Protected rainforest and stunning coral reefs complete this paradise.