Kalamazoo, Michigan may be most famous for its unique name, but it actually has much more to offer. Home to research oriented Western Michigan University, as well as major industrial and pharmaceutical corporations, Kalamazoo is famous for innovation. The immense Air Zoo features restored historic aircraft, a flight simulator, a 4-D theater and the Michigan Space Science Center, with 17,000-square-feet of exhibits dedicated to everything space related, from Moon Rocks to Russian space suits.

Dahlonega sits at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail on Springer Mountain. It was the site of the first major U.S. gold rush—in 1828, 20 years before the California gold rush. Dahlonega's commercial district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s home to wineries,a thriving performing and visual arts scene and plenty of outdoor activities all year round.

If not for the modern-day goods sold in the retail establishments, you might think Galena was frozen in time. The six-block Main Street boasts striking examples of various architectural styles, ranging from French Colonial to Greek Revival, and a whopping 85% of the town is a national historic district. General Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th U.S. President, lived here briefly before leaving to head the Union troops in the Civil War. Upon his triumphant return, the town presented him with an elegant mansion. That house and other restored historic homes are open to the public. There's much more here to fascinate the history enthusiast: the Old Market House and the Historical Society and Museum, housed in a stunning Italianate home. Before its Civil War glory days, Galena was a booming lead-mining town. Today, you can descend underground into the Vinegar Hill Lead Mine. But don't stay down there too long, or you won't get to enjoy the rolling hills and lush valleys of this charming getaway, which also offers fine dining, numerous bed and breakfasts, golfing and antiquing.

The industrial city of Monterrey is reigned over by the mighty Cerro de Silla, a mountain that galvanizes adventurers with its steep hiking trails. Within the city, an 18th-century neighborhood impresses with its architecture and harbors what’s hailed as Mexico’s most beautiful bookshop.

Hollywood beckons to tourists who long for a brush with Tinseltown glamor. Tour movie studios, slip your hands into the famous prints at the TCL Chinese Theatre, or indulge in a celeb sighting at one of LA’s white-hot nightspots. Spot your favorite star while shopping at The Grove, or forget all about the famous eye candy as you take in the iconic artwork at The Getty Center. For a different type of star-gazing, peek through the telescopes at the Griffith Observatory.

In Seattle you simply can’t skip the Central Public Library – a modern architectural marvel of glass grids, unusual shapes, and a “book spiral” that climbs four stories. Stroll over to Pike Place Market to visit the original Starbucks and play catch with a fishmonger. In the heart of the city lies Chihuly Garden and Glass, which will dazzle you with its colorful and delicate works. Glide to the top of the Space Needle for panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges and Puget Sound.

Snowboarders are an afterthought at a lot of resorts, but they get plenty of attention at this destination in the Italian Alps. Gold medalists regularly practice their spins and flips at the expert-level Mottolino Snowpark on the eastern slopes. Across the valley, Carosello 3000 has a terrain park for intermediate freestylers. The ski runs are challenging, but not too challenging, with only a handful of truly difficult patches. Because the slopes are so forgiving, Livigno is a great place to try off-piste skiing and snowboarding. The village soaks up the sun all winter long, so the main drag is always full of strollers. This is also a duty-free zone, with tons of shops catering to bargain-hunters.

Perched on an island a mere 95 kilometers from the city of São Paulo, this bustling beach town seems a world away from the gargantuan urbanity of the state capital. Among its charms, Guarujá counts 23 separate, stunning beaches, all ripe for swimming, sunning and surfing. Families head to the beach at Enseada; singles, it's all about you at Pernambuco.

Overlooking the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea, petite Polignano a Mare is home to some of Puglia’s loveliest beaches. Ringed by dramatic cliffs, the Lama Monachile Beach—also known as Cala Porte—is one of the most coveted, and most photographed, in the region.