Maho Beach, on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten, is one of the Caribbean’s most thrilling and unconventional beach experiences. Situated directly beside Princess Juliana International Airport, the beach is world-famous for its low-flying airplanes that descend just overhead before landing.

The capital of French Polynesia, Papeete is a veritable island paradise with bright cerulean waters, iconic overwater bungalows, and palm trees galore.

No airport, a single unnamed village, clear waters and white-sand beaches make Mayreau a quiet, rustic getaway.

This city in the Rhine Gorge is known for its winemaking, dramatic landscapes and 15-minute cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument (celebrating the German victory over France in 1871).

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the U.S., but it offers an outsized variety of experiences, from colonial history to coastline escapes. Founded in 1636 by Roger Williams as a haven for religious freedom, the state still reflects its independent spirit. In Providence, travelers can visit the John Brown House Museum to explore the city’s role in early American commerce, or walk Benefit Street, lined with preserved 18th- and 19th-century homes.