The former home of three of America's founding fathers, and the current home of the University of Virginia, the city of Charlottesville, Virginia is suffused with an appreciation of history and intellectual vigor. Take a tour of the university campus and walk through grassy malls and grand buildings designed by Thomas Jefferson, or peak into the dorm room once occupied by Edgar Allen Poe. The great homes of America's early presidents, Monroe, Jefferson and Madison, are also open to the public.

During the winter, Jackson Hole is a wonderland of snow skiing, snowmobiling and ice-skating. Summer in Jackson Hole is all about hiking, whitewater rafting, golfing and horseback riding. When you come down off the slopes, you can choose from recreation options like dog sled tours, sleigh rides and wildlife and nature tours. During the summer, you better get your energy level up because kayaking, hang gliding, hot air ballooning, mountain biking and stagecoach rides are just a few of the many options available. For climbers, hikers and nature lovers, the nearby Grand Teton National Park is an absolute nirvana. The towering mountains of the Teton Range stretch 40 miles, and include eight mountains over 12,000 feet. Keep in mind, too, that Yellowstone National Park’s South Entrance is only 90 minutes away, and another 45 minutes or so to reach Old Faithful. If you’re looking for some serious, fast-paced family fun in Jackson Hole, try the Alpine Slide, where you slide down 2,500 feet of Snow King Mountain in a bobsled. For a calmer experience, enjoy the Bridger Gondola, which takes tram riders from the Teton Village to heights of 10,000 feet. Golf enthusiasts have access to some great golf with tee opportunities at Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design and Teton Pines Resort Golf Course, designed by Arnold Palmer.

One of the most heart-pumping stretches of the Tour de France is always the 21 hairpin curves at L'Alpe d'Huez. Doesn’t sound so hard? They bike up the mountain. Every summer, hundreds of amateur cyclists flock to this resort in the French Alps and make the same climb. It’s more famous as a warm-weather destination, but L'Alpe d'Huez is also one of Europe’s top ski destinations. The nearby slopes appeal to beginners, but they get more challenging a bit farther away. More experienced skiers and snowboarders can literally travel for miles on some of the most challenging runs. And there are plenty of off-piste areas, too.

An easy train stop in Emilia-Romagna, Ferrara shines with the former glory of its Renaissance past. A stroll or bike ride past remarkably intact castles and defensive walls makes it say to see how this northern Italian gem scored UNESCO World Heritage status.

Over 15 million gallons of water bubble daily into Budapest's 118 springs and boreholes. The city of spas offers an astounding array of baths, from the sparkling Gellert Baths to the vast 1913 neo-baroque Szechenyi Spa to Rudas Spa, a dramatic 16th-century Turkish pool with original Ottoman architecture. The "Queen of the Danube" is also steeped in history, culture and natural beauty. Get your camera ready for the Roman ruins of the Aquincum Museum, Heroes' Square and Statue Park, and the 300-foot dome of St. Stephen's Basilica.