Containing a staggering wealth of historic sites, Turkey's inexpensive Aegean makes a marvelous introduction to both ancient and modern Turkey. Buses make easy connections between sites. Picturesque Bodrum boasts hopping nightlife, a crusader castle and the tomb of King Mausolus. The rest of the coast has Roman ruins and Byzantine remains aplenty, including Troy's walls, as well as the monument-strewn WWI battlefields of Gallipoli, the resort town of Kusadasi, fabulous surfing beaches and modern Izmir.

Once a cozy fishing village of only a few thousand people, Bodrum has experienced a renaissance in the last half century that has transformed this once-sleepy community into one of Turkey's most popular vacation hotspots. Writers, intellectuals, artists and musicians have long called this Aegean town home, or second-home, attracting a vibrant cultural scene paralleled only by the town's nightlife. Windswept beaches and glittering waters provide the backdrop to the perfect beach getaway.

Relics ranging from ancient shrines to Venetian-style castles overlook swaths of golden sand beaches on Kos, a fertile island in Greece’s Dodecanese chain. Mega-resorts dominate the developed southern coast, while visitors looking for tranquility head to the quieter northern shores.

On an ancient isle in the Aegean Sea, lively nightlife and far-reaching history come together on the streets of Kos Town. Beyond the bars, the city boasts archaeological ruins, a charming harbor, and a golden coastline lined with traditional tavernas serving rich Mediterranean fare.

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.

Diverse marine life and hundreds of Red Sea coral reef sites make Sharm El Sheikh a magnet for divers and eco-tourists. The tourist economy of this Sinai Peninsula city has grown quite rapidly over the last few decades, resulting in an upcrop of first-class resorts and posh nightlife. The waters of Ras Mohamed National Park are abundant with schools of fish and, oddly, toilets – thanks to the bathroom fixtures being transported by a cargo ship that sank during a 1981 storm.

The winding country lanes and vine-covered hills that lead the way to Beaune offer a first look at the town’s storybook charms, and its medieval architecture, cobbled paths, and ancient wine cellars make it so this capital of the Burgundy wine region never disappoints.

Sylt, an island in northernmost German, has beaches on the North Sea. See the island’s thatched roof houses by bike or horseback. You can also visit the Sylt Aquarium. Sylt has several golf courses.

Darjeeling, nestled among rolling mountains, is a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Popular places to visit include Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop and the War Memorial, and the Himalayan Zoological Park and Snow Leopard Breeding Center. What should you bring home? Tea, tea, and more tea—and beautiful local handicrafts.