Founded in 1565 by the Order of St John as a refuge for soldiers returning from the Crusades, Valletta is now the capital of Malta and a piece of living history. With an unsurpassed collection of original Baroque architecture, fortified city walls overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and the spectacular Co-Cathedral of St John, which features intricately carved stone vaults and a famed painting by Caravaggio, it is no wonder that this smallest of European capital cities is a world heritage site.

History reigns in Lincoln, where Roman ruins, medieval monuments, and a Norman castle can be found within steps of each other. Even the modern trappings of this student city feel nostalgic—cobbled lanes harbor independent boutiques, cutesy tea rooms hide behind half-timbered façades, and old warehouses are now cool music venues.

A small resort town on Majorca's northern coast, Port de Pollenca feature pine-fringed beaches, crystal-clear waters, and buzzing restaurants. With the Serra de Tramuntana mountains and wild Formentor Peninsula within easy reach, the town is a haven for families, sunseekers, and adventurers alike.