Bordeaux is ready for its close-up! After years of improvements, modern public transportation is in place and the city is gleaming after a wave of restorations. When visiting this lovely destination, be sure to walk across the Garonne River-spanning Stone Bridge (17 arches in all!) and see Place des Quinconces, France's grandest public square.

Nestled amid fantasy-like landscapes of unsurpassed beauty. Day cruise on the Li River, the Reed Flute Cave, the Elephant Trunk Hill are some of the tourist attractions.

On Cook Strait sits Wellington, New Zealand's charming windy city. Must-sees here include the waterfront, the lovely beaches, and the Wellington Cable Car that takes riders to botanical gardens. For cultural exposure, visit The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, with its Maori national treasures and art gallery. Wellington Zoo is another key attraction, and features Tahi, a one-legged kiwi, as its mascot.

York, England, is a city where over 2,000 years of history comes to life. Originally founded by the Romans in 71 AD as Eboracum, York has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, from the Vikings to the Normans. Today, the city retains its medieval charm, with its historic York Minster, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, standing proudly as its centerpiece.

Grenoble sits at the meeting point of three Alpine mountain ranges in southeastern France, giving it a setting that feels both dramatic and lived-in. With origins dating back to Roman times, the city has long been a crossroads of trade, science, and political thought.