region

While you may not associate beaches with Norway, the resort town of Kristiansand proudly welcomes locals and vacationers to its Blue Flag beach of Bystranda. In another unexpected juxtaposition, Kristiansand is also known for its ice cream shops and beer pubs. In this easily walkable city, a stroll in any direction reveals cultural treasures and natural beauty. An impressive example of modern design, the Kilden Performing Arts Center overlooks the scenic waterfront and the prominent red roof of the Christiansholm Fortress.

Blessed with sunshine, sand and an astonishing selection of historical sites, Tarragona is a rare combination of natural beauty and rich culture. Vestiges of classical Roman structures dot the length and breadth of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site known in ancient times as Tarraco. The Paseo Arqueológico takes you on a stroll along the Roman walls that encircle the Old Town.

On the southern coast of England and offshore Portsea Island stands the home of the British Royal Navy, the harbor city of Portsmouth. A proud naval heritage is evident in the Historic Dockyard where modern ships are moored alongside classics like Admiral Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory, which defeated Napoleon in the Battle of Trafalgar. The wreckage of Henry VIII’s Mary Rose, which capsized offshore in 1545, is displayed in a nearby museum, and on the southern tip of the island stands Southsea Castle, constructed in 1544 to defend those same waters.

The Honduran island of Roatán is a nature lover’s paradise. Beaches such as West Bay and Sandy Bay offer powdery white sand, swaying palms and aquamarine waters. Underneath the surface, the colorful coral reefs of Roatán Marine Park are home to iridescent fish, sea turtles and dolphins. For those who want to better get to know the resident dolphins, the Roatán Institute for Marine Sciences offers the opportunity to swim, play and snorkel with these intelligent mammals.

Designated a “City of Art and History,” Saint-Pierre has many stories to tell. This cultural hub of Martinique was known as the “Paris of the Caribbean” until the eruption of Mount Pelée destroyed the city in 1902. At the Frank A. Perret Museum, founded by an American volcanologist in 1933, fascinating relics, photographs and film tell the history of the catastrophe and Saint-Pierre’s rebirth.

Languishing just three miles off the coast from Nassau, Blue Lagoon Island has everything you desire to make that island-paradise fantasy a reality. Take a dip in the clear blue waters of the hidden lagoon, snorkel the coral reefs that lie right off the beach or simply stretch out on a sun lounger beneath the swaying palms as the sweet sound of birdsong floats through the air. Alternatively, take the opportunity to get up close and personal with the beautiful residents who call this island home.

Stroll along world-renowned beaches and savor the flavors and irresistibly electric energy of Miami. Head to South Beach’s Art Deco District to wander through architectural gems from the 1930s, pastel-hued hotels adorned with tropical motifs and still as beautiful as ever. When you’re hungry, head straight to Little Havana to order a mighty Cuban sandwich — the vendors in this part of town compete to make theirs the most legendary — then wash it down with a strong, sweet café Cubano.