South America, the fourth largest of the earth's seven continents (after Asia, Africa, and North America), occupying about 17,819,100 sq km (about 6,880,000 sq mi), or about 12 percent of the earth's land surface.

Architecture, fine art, theater, dining, shopping... what can't you experience in New York City? Cloud-breaching skyscrapers dot its skyline, while Lady Liberty stands proudly in New York Harbor. Visitors taking a bite of the Big Apple will find endless options in this metropolis' five distinct boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island).

One of the Caribbean's most lively islands, Guadeloupe will charm you with its impressive dormant volcano, stunning tropical forests, and French ambience. Actually composed of two islands, Grand Terre and Basse Terre, Guadeloupe has the honor of hosting one of France's seven Parcs National. Don't miss a chance to try Guadeloupe's famous Creole cuisine.

British influences are quite evident in Victoria, from afternoon tea times to elegant Victorian architecture. This capital of British Columbia on Vancouver Island provides ample outdoor recreation, with its public parks and access to both the ocean and wilderness. Cyclists will be right at home here, as Victoria boasts a seemingly endless number of bike paths for exploring.

Cut length wise by the Turkish/Greek border, the island of Cyprus leads two lives. The Turkish side is traditional and Islamic, while the Greek side is a very modern vacation destination.