The southern Italian region of Puglia is symbolized by its white-tipped, cone-shaped trulli houses—and Alberobello, where more than a thousand UNESCO-listed trulli can be found, is the perfect place to discover them.

The capital of Puglia and one of southern Italy’s most prominent cities, Bari combines seaside charm and historical appeal. A major Mediterranean cruise port, the university city is also known for its old town, which boasts churches, picturesque courtyards, and other tucked-away gems.

One of Puglia’s most picturesque enclaves, Ostuni is known as the White City thanks to its plenitude of white-washed houses. A quick trip from the coast, the city is also celebrated for its labyrinthine streets, cathedral, and ancient defensive walls.

Step back in time and imagine Italy as it was during 550 B.C. At least, that’s what you can do when you visit The Cilento—home to the remains of two ancient Greek cities: Paestum and Velia. To experience life a little later on, head to the Certosa di Padula, a Carthusian monastery (and World Heritage site) that dates back to 1306 and is known for its Baroque-style architecture. The park’s landscape also hints at these forgotten times with its vast seaside views and deep cave systems such as the Grotte di Castelcivita.

Just south of the Majorcan capital, Playa de Palma’s golden coastline is lined by luxury hotels, international restaurants, and lively bars. Popular with revelers, the resort strip also offers water sports facilities and easy access to the airport, making it a convenient hub for any sunseeker.

Caen’s historic centre—with its medieval monuments, Romanesque churches, and poignant memorials—stands testament to the port city's troubled history, caught in the crossfire of Normandy’s most significant battles. Today, a thriving student population injects modernity, bringing with it numerous bars, restaurants, and markets.

The quirky, millennium-old capital of Fyn (or Funen), Odense is populated by street corner sculptures of trolls and monster-footed benches. Hans Christian Andersen's birthplace is crammed with fairytale-related attractions. A plethora of castles awaits in the surrounding countryside, including the 1554 Egeskov Castle with its dramatic moat, 18 miles away. Bike or walk to visit manatees at the zoo, open-air museums, the impressive cathedral, the art cinema and bustling cafés, or see the town by riverboat.

Originally founded as a Roman city and now home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Seville is bursting with antique charm. The Alcazar palace complex is a stunning collage of architectural styles, and the Cathedral will impress you with its beauty and its status as the burial site of Christopher Columbus. The Metropol Parasol is the world’s largest wooden structure, a massive mix of grids and swirls that contains a market and a terrace observatory.

The skies of São Vicente are dramatically pierced by the cocoa peaks of mountain ranges. The island is considered the birthplace of many styles of Cape Verdean music, and revelers gather to howl at the moon during the annual beach music festival in Baía das Gatas. With its gorgeous colonial-inspired architecture, the harbour city of Mindelo is perfect for self-guided walking tours, particularly the Praça Nova quarter and the Rua Libertadores d'Africa.