Land of Mermaids. Land of Orange and Lemon Groves. Land of Colors. This small city in Campania has earned a plethora of alluring names. Famed for its sea cliffs, the town's steep slopes look out over azure waters to Ischia, Capri and the Bay of Naples. The birthplace of Limoncello liqueur offers some good diving, great sea fishing, boat cruises and appetizing restaurants. Excellent hiking trails cross the peninsula. Rent a car or take a taxi if the steep streets look too intimidating.

Stretching along the southern side of Italy's Sorrentine Peninsula, the Amalfi coast dazzles with its mysterious grottos, craggy cliffs and shimmering bays. Grab a seat on the sea side of a regional bus to soak up views on the fabled route from artsy Positano to Amalfi. Ravello offers some respite from the crowds, plus the stunning Villa Cimbrone, which overlooks the Bay of Salerno. The winding streets of Sorrento's historic district are filled with craftspeople. Capri is only a hydrofoil or ferry ride away.

If it's your first time visiting the Amalfi Coast, chances are you'll do a double-take the first time you see a roadside lemon stand. Yes, those are lemons, and yes, they are the size of your head. But despite their freakish appearance, you will grow to love these lemons because the locals use them to produce limoncello. And take it from us, there's nothing like a glass of limoncello as you gaze out at the sea from the balcony of your hotel in Amalfi. It's pretty much perfection.

Romance seems to waft through the air on Capri, accompanied by the scent of lemon blossoms and fresh sea air. Leave the car on the mainland and join the masses who use water transport to flock to this dramatic Italian isle in the Bay of Naples. The luminescence of the Blue Grotto, the striking Faraglioni rocks and Palazzo al Mare add to the magical spell. Snorkel from Marina Piccola beach on the island's south side, believed to be the spot where Odysseus nearly succumbed to the Sirens' song.

Romantic Naples, two hours south of Rome, is the largest city in southern Italy. It has some of the world's best opera and theatre houses and is often called an open-air museum, due to its many historic statues and monuments. Join families on the promenade as the sun sets on the Bay of Naples. View finds from Pompeii and Herculaneum, destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale or revel in the art and architecture of Museo Cappella Sansevero, built in the late 1500s.

Procida is the quintessential Mediterranean paradise, an absolute vision of colourful harbourside homes and picturesque piazzas. Lose yourself in colourful Terra Murata, a walled medieval town that’s perched staunchly on a hill. There you’ll find the 15th-century Palazzo D’Avalos and Abbazia di San Michele, an 11th-century Benedictine abbey. After your tour, scoot down the steps to charming Corricella, then unwind with a poolside cocktail at the magical Maresia Solarium.

The largest and many say most beautiful island in the Bay of Naples, Ischia is renowned for its curative spas. Ferries and hydrofoils connect Naples to Ischia Porto, the main town. Nearby at Ischia Ponte (connected to the main island by a foot bridge) are the magnificent Castello Aragonese and Guevara Tower. Forio on the island’s west coast, Lacco Ameno in the northwest and Sant’Angelo in the south are the liveliest resort towns. Casamicciola Terme in the north is one of Europe’s oldest spas.

The region of Campania curves around the bays of Naples and Sorrento, with towering Vesuvius and mountain ranges and massifs looming above. Ancient classical ruins are scattered throughout the region, from the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum to the Greek temples in Paestum. Popular resort towns include charming Sorrento and Amalfi, upscale Positano and haven for the elite, Ravello. For even more memorable sights, catch a ferry from Sorrento or Naples to the isle of Capri, home of the magical Blue Grotto.

Founded in the early 10th century as the capital of Fatimid-ruled Tunisia, Mahdia is today a quiet port town and provincial center of about 40,000 people, known for its fishing, silk weaving and olive industries. One of Tunisia's most picturesque cities, Mahdia lies between Sousse and Sfax and has many historic attractions, including the ruins of an ancient Punic city (pre-dating Mahdia), the Fatimid port, the first Fatimid mosque (built in the 10th century), and a 16th-century Ottoman fort.

“Must love winter sports” could be the slogan of this town at the base of Northern Italy’s Dolomite Mountains. Skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, and every other way of gliding across the snow is the favourite topics here, even when summer is in full tilt and Nordic walking and other high-altitude activities get added to the agenda. Two gondolas and a funicular on the edges of town whisk you up to the nearby ski resorts, which connect to a dozen or so more nearby. That’s literally hundreds of miles of easily accessible ski trails with one lift ticket. Back down in the valley, the après-ski atmosphere takes over the cobblestone streets.

The Greek island of Santorini is a blissful spot for a getaway, and its capital, Fira, is a vision of dramatic cliffs and pristine whitewashed buildings. The Archaeological Museum contains Minoan artifacts from Fira’s ancient foundations, while several churches and monasteries offer a glimpse into the historical and contemporary religious make up of this beautiful village. Exploring the shops and cafes along Fira’s narrow footpaths is a leisurely way to spend an afternoon.

A sizable city in its own right, Arnhem is best known today as the site of one of the most famous battles of World War II. Given city rights in 1233, it has long been at the centre of conflicts because of its strategic location on the banks of the Rhine River. The Battle of Arnhem, part of Operation Market Garden, was fought in September 1944. Advancing Allied forces, in large part due to a series of mistakes, failed to secure a key bridge and suffered defeat, delaying the Allied advance into Germany until the following spring. The 1977 film "A Bridge Too Far" was based on the events here.

We won't lie: Niagara Falls is uber-touristy. There are wax museums and a Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, and if it's a fast-food chain, you can probably find it here. But even the most jaded hipster shouldn't pass up a chance to visit this town, because the Falls themselves are spectacular.