A Puglia port town that’s equal parts historic and functional, Monopoli makes a splash with medieval churches and castles jutting above the Adriatic. It’s also a painter’s dream, with bright blue fishing boats adding a pop of color against whitewashed harbor walls.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's fascinating capital Sarajevo nestles among dramatic peaks, a bustling and welcoming city. War took its toll, with the 1992-1996 siege hitting hard. But the lively, diverse, museum-rich city has been almost entirely reconstructed. Don't miss Bijambare caves, set in thick forests and amid lakes to the north of the city, or Bosna Springs, from which the country takes its name. Site of 1984's Winter Olympics, Sarajevo offers spectacular skiing on Mount Bjelasnica Jahorina.

In wintertime, lovely Seefeld in Tirol channels the fairytale magic of a Christmas village. Located on a plateau amid mountains and valleys, it’s an ideal place for snow sports, particularly cross-country skiing. In fact, several Olympic and World Championship competitions have been held here. Off-season, the crisp mountain air and epic views make for excellent alpine hiking. When you’re ready for refreshment, you can’t go wrong with schnitzel and a local beer at one of the area’s charming restaurants.

If you’re after a winter sports holiday, you can’t find a more gorgeous place to do it than Interlaken, the popular Swiss resort town. There’s superlative skiing, toboggan rides, miles of sledding tracks (which, like the ski slopes, vary in difficulty), snowboarding… all with amazing views of the mountains. In summer, hike among the ibex at nearby Neiderhorn, or shop for watches in the town’s boutiques.

Fussen is steeped in over 700 years of history, from its roots as a Roman trading fort to its present-day status as a nearly secret Alpine holiday escape. Situated on the southern end of the Romantic Road, the medieval town center is framed by the majestic Alps, towering above the banks of the river Lech and surrounding lake region. Here you will discover late-gothic castles, baroque cathedrals and the oldest preserved fresco in Bavaria.

The largest city in Switzerland is a major contemporary art and shopping destination. Important artworks are displayed in the Kunsthaus and the Rietberg Museum, while those who consider shopping an art can hone their skills along Bahnhofstrasse and Niederdorf. Chagall's stained glass windows in the Fraumunster amaze and Zurich's 500 clubs and bars, including several in swimming pools, pulse with life 'til the early hours. This city on Lake Zurich has excellent public transit and a free bike rental system.