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.

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.

Lomé is Togo's capital and main port. Formerly part of German-colonized Togoland (1894), it offers the Lomé Grand Market, the National Museum in Palais de Congrés, and Lomé Cathedral. Excursions showcase Togo's folklore and history, including an authentic voodoo ceremony in Sanguera, a visit to Mount Agou, Togo's highest peak, and an Ewe village with the Akpesse folk dance.

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.

Although the capital of Gambia, Banjul remains one of Africa's smallest cities. Nestled on St. Mary's Island at the mouth of the Gambia River, it exudes a village-like atmosphere. Spend a carefree day admiring the 19th century architecture in MacCarthy Square or visiting the landmark King Fahad Mosque with its twin minarets. Explore the Gambia National Museum, which houses historical, archaeological and cultural artifacts. And shop for unique gifts at the bustling and lively Albert Market.

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 exotic Arrecife, a relaxed white city set against volcanic landscape on a turquoise bay. Visit Timanfaya National Park, El Charco de San Gines with its colorful fishing boats, the Museum of Modern Art in Castle San Jose, and the Archaeological Museum in Castle San Gabriel. Shop Calle Leon y Castilla for linens, carvings, Guanches pottery, perfume, and liquor, then enjoy tapas and wine by the sea.

Agadir, on North Africa's Atlantic coast beneath the Atlas Mountains, was rebuilt after the 1961 earthquake destroyed most historic Portuguese, Arab, and French colonial buildings. Today it's an upscale resort with beaches, golf, tennis, horseback riding, colorful souks, Moroccan and international dining, and trips to Berber villages, the Souss Valley, and the High Atlas.

One of Europe's most visually stunning cities, Barcelona balances the medieval intimacy of its Gothic Quarter with the grace and distinction of the wide boulevards in the Moderniste Eixample. It was the home of architect Antoni Gaudí, whose Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Park Güell and Casa Milà are the most profound statements of Modernisme. View the splendid works at the Picasso Museum and the Miro Foundation, or discover Barcelona's passionate ambiance at a flamenco show.