Lisbon, at Europe's edge and the Atlantic's brink, evokes the Age of Discovery, when Portuguese sailors opened routes to India, West Africa, the Caribbean, and Brazil. Today it's a living museum of that seafaring past and a perfect start to your transatlantic voyage. See azulejo-lined streets and Manueline landmarks like Jerónimos Monastery, hear fado in Alfama, ride the 1902 Santa Justa Lift for sweeping views, and savor plenty of pastéis de Belém.

How many shades of green São Miguel Island has is debatable, but its beauty is not. About 850 miles off Portugal, this verdant Azorean isle blends rich history and wild landscapes. Ponta Delgada, clinging to the coast, has five centuries of history and surviving landmarks: Gonçalo Velho Square, 18th-century gates, and streets of churches, convents, and Manueline, Gothic, and Baroque homes. Nearby: thermal springs, hydrangea trails, and sea views.

How many shades of green São Miguel Island has is debatable, but its beauty is not. About 850 miles off Portugal, this verdant Azorean isle blends rich history and wild landscapes. Ponta Delgada, clinging to the coast, has five centuries of history and surviving landmarks: Gonçalo Velho Square, 18th-century gates, and streets of churches, convents, and Manueline, Gothic, and Baroque homes. Nearby: thermal springs, hydrangea trails, and sea views.

Cradled by Carlisle Bay, Bridgetown has one of the Caribbean's most naturally sheltered harbors. Claimed by the British Crown in 1624, Barbados blends British heritage with tropical calm. In the capital, Victorian buildings, the clocktowered Parliament, and a Caribbean echo of Trafalgar Square reflect its "Little England" character. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bridgetown's coral-stone facades and sun-warmed streets invite relaxed exploration, where history and beauty meet in balance.

Cradled by Carlisle Bay, Bridgetown has one of the Caribbean's most naturally sheltered harbors. Claimed by the British Crown in 1624, Barbados blends British heritage with tropical calm. In the capital, Victorian buildings, the clocktowered Parliament, and a Caribbean echo of Trafalgar Square reflect its "Little England" character. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bridgetown's coral-stone facades and sun-warmed streets invite relaxed exploration, where history and beauty meet in balance.