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.

The quirky, millennium-old capital of Fyn (or Funen), Odense is populated by street corner sculptures of trolls and monster-footed benches. Hans Christian Andersen's birthplace is crammed with fairytale-related attractions. A plethora of castles awaits in the surrounding countryside, including the 1554 Egeskov Castle with its dramatic moat, 18 miles away. Bike or walk to visit manatees at the zoo, open-air museums, the impressive cathedral, the art cinema and bustling cafés, or see the town by riverboat.

Jutland's cultural heart, Århus is an exuberant university town with a perfectly preserved old town and a recreated historic village, Den Gamle By. The top draw is the Moesgard Museum of Prehistory, showcasing exhibits from the Stone Age to Viking days and home to the city's most famous citizen, the 2000-year-old Grauballe Man. It's a lively spot, teeming with cafes, restaurants, clubs and cinemas. Denmark's second-largest city perches on Jutland's eastern coast amid beaches and woodland.

Sylt, an island in northernmost German, has beaches on the North Sea. See the island’s thatched roof houses by bike or horseback. You can also visit the Sylt Aquarium. Sylt has several golf courses.

Ultramodern towers define Riyadh's skyline, hinting at the Saudi capital's sophisticated culture, shopping, and dining. Prayer times set the pace for life in one of the country's most conservative cities, and gleaming architecture blends with historic landmarks from the kingdom's earliest years.

The shining jewel of Qatar, Doha is a multicultural city, home to most of the country's population as well as expatriate communities from a range of origins. Shopping abounds in the city's plentiful malls, while the Corniche impresses visitors with picturesque architecture and dazzling views of the harbor. Doha boasts myriad cultural facilities, including the futuristic Education City and the National Museum.

Dubai is a destination that mixes modern culture with history, adventure with world-class shopping and entertainment. Catch a show at the Dubai Opera, see downtown from atop the Burj Khalifa and spend an afternoon along Dubai Creek exploring the gold, textile and spice souks. If you’re looking for thrills, you can float above the desert dunes in a hot air balloon, climb aboard a high-speed ride at IMG Worlds of Adventure or skydive over the Palm Jumeirah.

Strung below craggy mountains, the Omani capital of Muscat is one of the Middle East’s oldest and most picturesque cities. Between its corniches and modern quarter are Portuguese-built forts, blue-domed mosques, royal palaces, and souks, all heavy with the sense of a lost Arabia.

Packed with historic landmarks, bustling eateries, and manicured parks, the vibrant city of Lahore exudes culture at every corner. From soaring minarets and colorful facades to street-level stalls selling flavorful Punjabi favorites, the increasingly cosmopolitan city radiates with energy.

Conquering New York in one visit is impossible. Instead, hit the must-sees – the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art – and then explore off the beaten path with visits to The Cloisters or one of the city’s libraries. Indulge in the bohemian shops of the West Village or the fine dining of the Upper West Side. The bustling marketplace inside of Grand Central Station gives you a literal taste of the best the city has to offer.

The windy city is a cornucopia of modern art, fine dining, cutting edge comedy, and die-hard sports fans. Snap a photo of your reflection in the silver Cloud Gate sculpture at Millennium Park before heading to Grant Park to get hit with the refreshing spray of Buckingham Fountain. There are dozens of museums and theater companies in Chicago, so a cultural experience is never hard to find. You’re sure to laugh your head off at the Second City Theater, the professional launch pad of many famous comedians.

Dubbed the Queen City, Charlotte reigns over a 300-square-mile (482-square-kilometer) hodgepodge of neighborhoods that spin out from the banks of the Catawba River. From brewery-heavy art districts to historical corridors dripping in charm, consider Charlotte a crowd pleaser.

With live music to be heard all across town, 24/7, 365 days a year, Music City lives up to its name. From honky-tonk bands jamming at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge to songwriters in the round at the Bluebird Cafe and country music legends rocking the Grand Ole Opry, you never know who you might see. The creative spirit from Nashville's music landscape flows into the area's myriad art galleries, up-and-coming fashion scene, historic landmarks and chef-driven restaurants.

Atlanta has been dubbed everything from the "capital of the new South" and "the next international city" to "the best place to do business." It's also a great place to visit. Fueled by the prosperity of local mega companies like Coca Cola and Holiday Inn, the prestige of hosting the 1996 Summer Olympic Games and the energy of young upwardly mobile types who have migrated to the city in droves - Atlanta is on fire. And this time it's a good thing. From world-class restaurants and a myriad of cultural attractions to a hip nightlife and sporting events galore, the city is cosmopolitan in every sense of the word. But Atlanta has also managed to maintain its historic character. Stop by the Atlanta History Center or visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Historical Site, a moving tribute to an American icon. Browse through the former home of famous author Margaret Mitchell or pop into the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum for details on the life and times of the former president and his family. Whether you choose modern urban endeavors or old southern pleasures, Atlanta will not disappoint.