Lying on picturesque Lake Constance (or Bodensee in German), Konstanz has been a city since the first century AD, later gaining prominence as a religious center and then as the site of the only bridge crossing the Rhine River. The Old Town is one of Konstanz’s main attractions and is home to the city’s famed cathedral, originally dating from the 7th century. Due to a border anomaly, Konstanz lies on Switzerland’s land mass, and the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen is just a short walk away.

The city of Freiburg im Breisgau sits austerely on the edge of the Black Forest. Home to one of Germany’s oldest universities and a Gothic sandstone cathedral, it’s a hub for academics and medieval history buffs. Chug German suds at a local brewery, then hop a cable car up Schauinsland mountain, where astounding views and a solar observatory await.

Quaint alpine villages and great skiing entice travelers to the Grisons. The sparsely populated region of eastern Switzerland contains the source of the Rhine and Inn rivers, 140 square miles of glaciers and dense pine forests. Join the ski action at the resorts of St. Moritz, Davos and Arosa or stake a lofty claim with a visit to Juf, which boasts the highest altitude of any inhabited village in the Alps. In summer, take a hike through the Engadine Valley in the unspoiled beauty of Swiss National Park.

Bordering both Austria and Hungary and couched between the Danube and the Little Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is a picturesque city whose natural surroundings are rivaled only by its own historic architecture. Dating back centuries, the Old Town is home to numerous historic churches, castles, galleries and museums, including the Museum of Jewish Culture and Bratislava City Museum. The surviving fortifications at Michael's Gate provide a glimpse into the medieval history of the city.

Packed with historic landmarks, bustling eateries, and manicured parks, the vibrant city of Lahore exudes culture at every corner. From soaring minarets and colorful facades to street-level stalls selling flavorful Punjabi favorites, the increasingly cosmopolitan city radiates with energy.

If you want to step off a plane and be at a mega resort 15 minutes later, Jericoacoara probably isn’t for you. But if you want an unspoiled beach town, and don’t mind bouncing along rough dirt roads for an hour to get there, you might just think it’s paradise. Kitesurfing, windsurfing, Capoeira, and, of course, just lying on the beach are popular activities.