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.

Discover Arrecife, a relaxed modern city of white buildings against volcanic landscapes and a turquoise bay. Visit Timanfaya National Park's twisted lava formations and caves, El Charco de San Gines lagoon with fishing boats and blue-white homes, the International Museum of Modern Art in Castle of San Jose, and the Archaeological Museum in Castle San Gabriel. Shop Calle Leon y Castilla for linens, carvings, pottery, perfume, and liquor, then enjoy tapas and wine by the sea.

Discover Las Palmas: a seaside city with springlike weather, beautiful beaches, gardens, and stylish sunseekers. See Plaza de Santa Ana and its 15th-century twin-towered cathedral, visit Casa de Colón, where Columbus allegedly stayed in 1492, and stroll the old quarters of Vegueta and Triana along cobblestone streets lined with galleries, restaurants, and shops selling Canarian wine, ron miel, and tobacco.

Tenerife's privileged setting allows you to enjoy beautiful beaches such as las Teresitas; admire the enchanting Orchid Gardens, founded in 1774 as a historic English garden, or visit the Teide National Park, the symbol of the island.

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.

The 700 islands of the Bahamas Islands begin 50 miles off the coast of Florida, stretching 760 miles to the southeast. The heritage of Old Nassau blends the Southern charm of British loyalists from the Carolinas, the African tribal traditions of freed slaves, and a bawdy history of blockade-running during the Civil War and rum-running in the Roaring 1920s. Over it all is a subtle layer of civility and sophistication, derived from three centuries of British rule.

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."