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Athens is the cradle of the Western democratic tradition, home to a civilization as radiant as any before or since. Feel the pulse of history as you climb to the hilltop Acropolis, home to some of the city’s most renowned ancient sites. Gaze in amazement at the massive columns of the Parthenon, Pericles' greatest monument. Admire the little Temple of Nike and the fantastic carvings of the caryatids that support a porch of the Erechtheion. At the bottom of the hill, the Acropolis Museum includes original statues of the maidens and numerous other artifacts unearthed here.

Lanzarote's bustling capital of Arrecife is named for the black reefs behind which boats once hid from pirates. The dark, barren hills and vast craters of the island’s spectacular volcanic terrain can be explored by bus or 4x4, on foot or by camel, and nearby Timanfaya National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The island is also renowned for its stellar beaches. Manmade attractions include Castillo de San Gabriel, on a tiny islet facing town, and Castillo de San Jose, home to the contemporary art museum.

A diamond center, a magnet for fashionistas, a European cultural hub and mecca for brewmeisters – Antwerp is a multifaceted jewel. Meet the Rubens, van Dycks and van Eycks that fill its world-class museums. Admire the two oldest printing presses in the world at the sublime Museum Plantin-Moretus, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander through one of the world’s most beautiful train stations and down the nave of the Antwerp Cathedral, where religious paintings by Rubens and other Flemish masters are on display.

It’s not surprising that Graham Greene, Max Ernst and Pablo Picasso loved Antibes. What better place for creative inspiration than this spectacular setting on the Côte d’Azur? Half of the world’s biggest yachts anchor for at least part of the year at “Billionaires’ Quay,” where the sound of summer is the clink of champagne flutes. But celebrity sighting isn't the only draw. The Grimaldi Castle is the home of the famous Picasso Museum, which includes many works donated by the artist himself, including his famous La Joie de Vivre.

The Dutch capital is one of Europe’s best-preserved cities – with 60 miles of canals and nearly 7,000 buildings dating from the 18th century or earlier. A good way to see the narrow shop houses is on a canal cruise. Consider a canal tour that includes the poignant Anne Frank House on the Prinsengracht Canal. Amsterdam is an art lover’s city with over 70 museums, the best known being the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, considered a national treasure for its collection of masterworks by Rembrandt, Vermeer and others.

Akureyri is Iceland’s second largest city and is known as the “Capital of the North,” but with a population of approximately 18,000, Akureyri feels more like a town than a city. Only 62 miles from the Arctic Circle, it surprisingly has one of warmest climates in the country. Enjoy a stroll through the charming streets, especially Hafnarstræti, a pedestrian-friendly street filled with quaint coffee shops and boutiques selling locally made wares. Also in town is a lovely botanical garden near the majestic Akureyri Church, the city’s best-known landmark.