Perhaps best known these days as the setting for the book and movie “Under the Tuscan Sun,” gorgeous hillside Cortona has a long history dating back even before its time as an important Etruscan center. Top attractions include the Duomo (Cathedral), the small Museo Diocesano across the piazza with its superb art collection, and the fascinating Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca with its assembly of Etruscan and Roman era items. Cortona is also bursting with splendid churches spanning many periods.

San Gimignano, known as the "city of beautiful towers," had 72 towers in its heyday. Now 14 remain, and, rising above Tuscany's Elsa Valley, they make the town look like a mediaeval dreamscape. Take in the fresco-covered Collegiate Church, the Civic Museum and the views from atop 177-foot Torre Grossa. Daytrippers from Florence tend to fill up the streets during the day, so for a more up-close-and-personal look at the town, spend the night.

One of the most popular regions in Italy, Tuscany stretches from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Apennines. Its main cities include Florence, Pisa, Siena, Lucca, Arezzo and Livorno. Drive between stunning sites like Florence's cathedral and Uffizi Gallery and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Or join a bike tour and pedal past sun-baked olive groves and vineyards. Don't miss the towers of San Gimignano or serene northern hill towns. For a more modern take, hit one of Florence's hip clubs, such as Space Electronic.

This picturesque Umbrian city has a history that spans many eras. The city wall and arch are Etruscan; the sixth-century Sant'Angelo church was built atop a Roman temple; the town's cathedral is both Gothic and Renaissance. If you have a sweet tooth, visit the famous Perugina chocolate factory; if you have a full set of sweet teeth, visit during the Eurochocolate festival, held in October, when the entire town reportedly smells of chocolate.

Centrally located Umbria's principal cities include Spoleto, Assisi, and Terni. The capital, Perugia, is famed for its chocolate. Take a tour bus or prepare for daredevil Italian drivers if you opt to rent a car. Assisi's Basilica has a host of treasures, including works by Giotto. The town is also home to the crypt of St. Clare, patron saint of television. St. Francis' meditation retreat is in the mountains to the north. Classes at Velia's Cooking Style in Terni make good use of local produce.

Located on an island between Trieste and Venice, the beachy town of Grado is popular among holiday-goers. Celebrated for its medieval centre, Grado is also known as a spa resort, and its sand is said to have curative properties.

Travel into Spain's Moorish and Christian history with every step you take in compact, walkable Granada. The famous Alhambra fortress is a required visit, as are the Alcaiceria (marketplace), the Cathedral and too many architectural sites to name. Wander through Granada's fascinating Moorish old quarter, the labyrinthine Albaicin; then plan to head out again by night, because the nightlife here is particularly lively.

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.

This Norwegian tourist town is a magnet for outdoor adventurers, who flock each year for the Geiranger - From Fjord to Summit half-marathon and bike race. This World Heritage site is a popular stop-over for cruise ships. Don’t miss the awe-inspiring fjord and waterfalls, especially the Seven Sisters, the Suitor and the Bridal Veil.

Aswan is more idyllic than other cities in southern Egypt. It’s a great place to explore that country’s epic history far away from the chaos of Cairo. Take a traditional wooden felucca around Elephantine Island and explore the ruins of the Temple of Khnum. (Editor's note: Our list was compiled before political unrest prompted many countries to issue travel warnings for Egypt. If you're currently planning a trip to Egypt, please consider the risks and monitor your government's travel alerts.)