Venice

The very existence of Venice is so unlikely that it almost seems magical, yet this city built on water continues to endure and enrapture. Spanning some 118 islands and with canals for streets, the city’s only means of wider transportation is by boat—but that restriction doesn’t limit the number of things to do in Venice. Tour the gems lining Piazza San Marco, cruise down the Grand Canal to take in ornate palaces and the Rialto Bridge, or strike out across the lagoon to watch master glassblowers on Murano.

The city is a year-round destination and especially lovely during the mild winter and early spring—the gray, foggy days and bursts of sunshine, with mist rising from the canals, make for an atmospheric visit. If you can, avoid high summer, when the tiny island overfills with tourists, and many people claim the lagoon takes on a rather unpleasant odor. Art lovers, meanwhile, should time their stay with the Venice Biennale, held once every two years in summer and fall.