St. Ives boasts a quartet of golden-sand beaches. Sheltered coves draw swimmers and sun-worshippers, but water-sports aficionados visit St. Ives for great surfing, windsurfing and water-skiing conditions. And on your way there, keep your eyes peeled for a dude with seven wives. You never know when nursery rhymes might come true.

St. Mary’s is a postcard-perfect jumble of castles and coves. It’s the largest island of the United Kingdom’s Isles of Scilly, an archipelago that’s been inhabited for thousands of years. Ancient stone structures, Spanish windmills, lush gardens and breathtaking wetlands all draw visitors longing for a quaint Cornish holiday that’s steeped in history and modern charm.

Walking is a way of life in the picturesque Cornwall town of Padstow. The South West Coast Path—which, at 630 miles, is Britain’s longest footpath—stretches along the coast and, via ferry, across the River Carmel. The former fishing port is today a hub of fine wining and dining. Lose yourself in the Lost Gardens of Heligan, a fairyland of heirloom flowers, or go back to the future at the Eden Project, a horticultural wonderland housed inside dramatic biodomes.

Much of northern Spain belongs to Castile-Leon, an autonomous region surrounded by mountains. Architectural gems like the Romanesque stonework of Segovia's city walls, the Gothic Burgos Cathedral and the dramatic Baroque square in Salamanca are complemented by the area's natural beauty. Parque Natural de las Hoces del Rio Duraton is marked with deep gorges and shelters many birds of prey, while Parque Natural del Lago de Sanabria y alrededores contains the largest glacier lagoon on the Iberian Peninsula.

Jutland's south offers a slew of seafaring towns. Don't miss charming Ribe, home to flotillas of nesting storks. Fjords, dunes and islands await on its fringes, while moors and marshes stretch across its interior. The south is an idyllic spot for cycling. Rolling hills, heath and heather feature in central Jutland. Endless white sand beaches line the coasts. To the north, the windy North Sea coast is home to beech forests, lovely beaches and beautiful light and is loved by surfers and artists.

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.