Saratoga Springs, New York, has long drawn visitors with its bubbling mineral springs, historic charm, and a calendar full of events that give the town a lively edge. Known as “The Spa City,” Saratoga first gained fame in the 19th century for its naturally carbonated waters, believed to have healing properties. Downtown Saratoga Springs is known for its walkable streets, filled with locally owned boutiques, cafés, and bookstores.

Gotland, Sweden’s largest island, sits in the Baltic Sea and feels like a world of its own. Its main town, Visby, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Northern Europe. Surrounded by a 3.5-kilometer stone wall with original towers still intact, Visby once served as a key Hanseatic trading hub. Visitors can walk along cobbled streets lined with rose-covered cottages, explore Gothic church ruins, and climb up the city wall for views over the harbor.

Valencia, located on the Balearic coastline of eastern Spain, is a Mediterranean haven replete with stunning art, striking architecture, immersive museums, and inviting beaches. The heart of Valencia is the perfect place to explore the best that the city has to offer.

Perched on the northern shore of Lake Geneva, Lausanne is a city that blends centuries of history with a strong cultural identity. It served as a Roman military camp called Lousanna before evolving into a key medieval settlement. Today, visitors can still climb the tower of Lausanne Cathedral, widely regarded as the most impressive Gothic structure in Switzerland. From the top, the view stretches over the rooftops of the Old Town to the vineyards of Lavaux and across the lake to the French Alps.

Nosara, on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, is a laid-back coastal town known for its strong connection to wellness, nature, and surf culture. Unlike some of the country’s busier resorts, Nosara has kept development low-key, with no large beachfront hotels and a community that values sustainability.