London blends history and modernity. See the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Parliament and Big Ben, then the London Eye over the Thames. UNESCO sites include Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and Greenwich. Art lovers should visit the British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate Modern. For local flavor, explore Camden and Notting Hill markets, Shoreditch cafés and galleries, or Mayfair boutiques.

Just off Hampshire's coast, the Isle of Wight has drawn holidaymakers since the mid-19th century with beaches and pastoral scenery. Cowes is its yachting hub, famed for the annual regatta. Queen Victoria summered and died at Osborne House; Victorian style still shapes the south coast. The west coast is wilder, ending at the Needles. Much of the island is AONB, with 500+ miles of footpaths and 165 miles of bridleways. It's also known for dinosaur fossils, especially at Compton Bay and Yaverland.

Bordeaux, in southwestern France, is an elegant 18th-century city of stately buildings, broad avenues and historic squares. Highlights include Porte de Bourgogne, Bordeaux Cathedral's stained glass, the 12th-century Romanesque basilica, and Hôtel de Ville. But a visit isn't complete without wine: this region is known worldwide for appellations like Pauillac, St. Emilion, Margaux and Sauternes. Tour a wine chateau to see grapes grown, aged in oak barrels and processed.

Bordeaux, in southwestern France, is an elegant 18th-century city of stately buildings, broad avenues and historic squares. Highlights include Porte de Bourgogne, Bordeaux Cathedral's stained glass, the 12th-century Romanesque basilica, and Hôtel de Ville. But a visit isn't complete without wine: this region is known worldwide for appellations like Pauillac, St. Emilion, Margaux and Sauternes. Tour a wine chateau to see grapes grown, aged in oak barrels and processed.

Porto, a compact UNESCO city on both sides of the Douro, is easy to explore on foot. Its Ribeira quarter has cobblestone streets and squares tracing 2,000 years of history. Highlights include the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral, Palácio da Bolsa, and the Beaux-Arts railway station. Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to taste port wine in nearby cellars, and visit Guimarães, Portugal's first capital, for medieval castles and 15th-century palaces.

Lisbon, Portugal's Atlantic capital, is spread across seven hills. Start in Alfama, with its medieval streets leading to Castelo de São Jorge and sweeping city views. Head to Baixa for shopping, restaurants, and neoclassical architecture. In Belém, see two UNESCO sites: Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. If time allows, visit nearby Sintra and Cascais, or continue to Fátima, where Virgin Mary apparitions were reported in 1917.

Founded by Carthaginians circa 220 BC, Cartagena has one of the world's oldest naval bases and rich Roman archaeology. Highlights include the 1st-century Roman theater, Barrio del Foro Romano, Casa de la Fortuna, and the Punic Wall Interpretation Center. The ARQUA Museum displays finds from off Murcia's coast, and Castillo de la Concepción offers panoramic views. Beyond history, Cartagena has coves, beaches, fine dining, and activities for divers, hikers, golfers, and windsurfers.

Ibiza offers 100+ miles of coastline, beautiful beaches, beach bars and all-night clubs. It also has rich history: Dalt Vila, the fortified Old Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with Renaissance military architecture, narrow streets, panoramic views, a contemporary art museum, and Ibiza Cathedral. Nearby, Puig des Molins preserves ancient burial chambers. The island also has vineyards, hippy markets, and luxury boutiques.

Barcelona is a walkable global city known for breathtaking architecture, world-class museums, bustling markets, parks, and fashion. Start at Montjuïc Castle for city views, then visit the Joan Miró and National Art Museum. Spend a day in the Gothic Quarter and Museu Picasso. The city is especially famous for Antoni Gaudí's work, from La Sagrada Família to Park Güell. Along La Rambla, you'll find more architecture, designer shopping, and great tapas.