Called "the fairest cape in the whole circumference of the earth" and one of the world's most beautiful cities, Cape Town offers museums, parks and shops, plus mountains, beaches and wineries. Ride a cable car up Table Mountain for views of valleys and the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. A historical highlight is Robben Island, once home to anti-apartheid leaders including Nelson Mandela.

Walvis Bay, a natural lagoon and Namibia's only deep-sea harbor, offers something for everyone, especially spectacular bird-watching as thousands of migratory species join local flamingoes and pelicans each year. Nearby Dune 7 rises over the scenic bay and offers great photo opportunities. The city is also a good base for day trips into the desert, including off-road adventures and fly-over dolphin and whale watching.

Walvis Bay, a natural lagoon and Namibia's only deep-sea harbor, offers something for everyone, especially spectacular bird-watching as thousands of migratory species join local flamingoes and pelicans each year. Nearby Dune 7 rises over the scenic bay and offers great photo opportunities. The city is also a good base for day trips into the desert, including off-road adventures and fly-over dolphin and whale watching.

Luanda, Angola's capital and most populous city, has seen a construction boom since the end of the civil war. Its museums, historic sites, and monuments highlight Angola's past. South of the city, Parque Nacional da Kissama is a vast wildlife park with elephants, water buffalo, antelopes, and nesting sea turtles. It also leads Angola's wildlife regeneration efforts through Operation Noah's Ark.

Off the beaten path, São Tomé is a tropical paradise that offers lush rainforests, bird watching, secluded waterfalls and pristine, isolated beaches. Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the tiny volcanic island offers a unique blend of Portuguese and Creole culture rarely seen anywhere else in the world. Enjoy spectacular views on a hike to the peak of Pico de São Tomé, go in search of the 109 species of orchid, or marvel at the impressive Boca do Inferno blowhole.

Cotonou, on the Gulf of Guinea, is Benin's chief seaport and commercial center. In the early 19th century it was a small fishing village under Dahomey, later becoming a French trading enclave and colony. Highlights include Cotonou Friendship Stadium, the striped Cotonou Cathedral, Cotonou Central Mosque, and Dantokpa Market. The city is known for Zémidjan motorcycle taxis. Excursions include Nokoué Lake to Ganvie, a royal visit in Abomey, or a tour of Porto-Novo.

Portuguese explorers who landed in 1471 named Ghana the Gold Coast. English, Danish, Dutch and German traders built forts and castles to reap its riches. In the 17th century Frederick William of Brandenburg built Taccarary, later Takoradi. Visit Monkey Hill nature preserve in the city, then Elmina Castle (built by the Portuguese in 1482 and the earliest known European structure in the tropics), Cape Coast Castle, and Kakum National Park, where you can walk the rainforest canopy.

Abidjan, Ivory Coast's largest city and former capital, curves around the Ebrié Lagoon. One of the world's largest French-speaking cities, it's often called the "Paris of Africa." Its affluent Le Plateau and Cocody neighborhoods have a European feel. See modern architecture like Cathedral St. Paul and La Pyramide, or visit the National Museum for traditional art, including masks, pottery, and wooden statues.

Experience Dakar's rhythm and vibrancy: bustling open-air markets, colonial architecture, and French influences. See the African Renaissance Monument, taller than the Statue of Liberty. Shop for embroidered cloth, lace, and silk for boubou robes. Try bissap, a hibiscus drink. Browse the gallery and gardens of L'Institut Français, then enjoy a café au lait and pastry in this dynamic city.

Mindelo, on São Vicente, sits in a mountain-ringed bay and is a lively, music-filled city. Visit the new Floating Music Hub by architect Kunlé Adeyemi, stroll Porto Grande's harbor for paintings, ceramics, and woodwork, climb Monte Verde for sweeping bay views, and explore Mercado Municipal or the historic Fortim d'El-Rei for a glimpse of the city's past.

Discover Santa Cruz de La Palma: colorful buildings, 18th-century mansions, wrought-iron balconies with bougainvillea, dramatic volcanic mountains, green valleys, and a turquoise sea. Explore the star-shaped 17th-century Castillo de Santa Catarina, visit Moorish-influenced Iglesia de El Salvador for its stained glass, stroll O'Daly Street's boutiques and artisan shops, and enjoy fine Canary Island wine in a jewel-like setting.

Madeira is described as the "Island of Eternal Spring." Entirely volcanic in origin, the soil combines with the mild climate to produce an abundance of green as well as multicolored vegetation. The rugged landscape, scenic fishing villages, magnificent vistas and ideal climate bring the island fame as a year-round resort. Before leaving this panoramic Atlantic isle, be sure to sample a glass of the famous Madeira wine.

Cádiz, Andalusia's renowned capital, has been extensively restored. Its palm trees, elegant squares, flower-filled parks, red-tile roofs, and lively markets make it a delightful port. The old town on the peninsula has bustling plazas, while the new town offers beaches and a refined feel. It's also a good base for a day trip to Seville, to see the Alcazar, Seville Cathedral, and Giralda Tower.

Lisbon, said to have been founded by Ulysses as Olisipo, is one of Europe's most fascinating cities. A devastating 1755 earthquake destroyed much of it, and the Baixa was rebuilt in neo-classical style, now the city's heart. Overlooking the Tagus, the "City of Explorers" offers districts like Alfama, with Moorish lanes, and Bairro Alto, where you can hear Fado. Nearby are the palaces of Queluz and Sintra.

The volcanic islands of the Azores create a natural aquarium in the middle of the Atlantic between Europe and North America. Whale watching, sport fishing, paragliding, and yachting are popular pastimes. Stroll by the beautiful marina and stop in to legendary Peter Café Sport - a restaurant, scrimshaw museum, post office and necessary stop for all sailors.

The island has been continuously inhabited by the British since the Sea Venture, captained by George Somers, was wrecked here in 1609, inspiring Shakespeare's The Tempest. Hamilton is the capital and heart of the island, with shopping and dining on Front Street by the pier. Don't miss Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ) on North Shore Road, St. Peter's Church, and well-preserved St. Catherine Fort, a great photo vantage point.

Sunny Florida skies, year-round warmth, nightlife, and a diverse culture define this cosmopolitan city. South Beach draws crowds, while the Art Deco District is the world's largest collection of Art Deco architecture. Shop from Bal Harbour to Lincoln Road and Coconut Grove, enjoy Cuban culture on Calle Ocho, or visit the historic Venetian Pool. There's something for everyone in this "Gateway to the Americas."