Cinque Terre, Italy

The Cinque Terre is a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. In each of the 5 towns, colorful houses and ancient vineyards cling to steep terraces, fishing boats bob in harbors and trattorias turn out seafood specialties along with the Liguria region’s most famous dish, pesto.

All the towns slope down to sea-level except for Corniglia, which is perched on top of a tall cliff. Four of the towns possess an old-world charm (from North-to-South: Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore). The northern-most town, Monterosso, is completely different. It is very beachy-resorty, with not much to see beyond the boardwalk apart from modern apartment blocks and hotels—nothing like the narrow, crooked streets of the other towns, lined with colorful old houses stacked haphazardly on top of each other.

Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown, New Zealand, sits on the shore of the South Island's Lake Wakatipu, set against the dramatic Southern Alps. The surrounding Central Otago region is known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Vineyards, and for adventure sports.

Queenstown's stunning scenery huge range of activities and renowned warm welcome cement its reputation as New Zealand's favorite visitor destination. Surrounded by Majestic Mountains and set on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, the natural beauty and the unique energy of the region create the perfect backdrop for a holiday fulll of adventure, exploration or relaxation.

Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Queenstown for the kayaking, jet-boating, white water rafting, hiking and skiing. Summer brings paragliding, mountain biking, and bungee jumping. More mild-mannered adventures can take a quite cruise through nearby Milford Sound, part of the Fjordland National Park World Heritage area, or sample South Island Pinot Noir from one of the region's 75 wineries.

Queenstown, New Zealand, South Pacific