High in the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo boasts 140 ski runs and over 50 miles of cross-country pistes. Beloved for decades by society types for its après-ski scene, Cortina lies at the center of the Valle d’Ampezzo and has been featured in a number of films, including “Cliffhanger” and “For Your Eyes Only.”

With its gondolas, canals, amazing restaurants, and unforgettable romantic ambiance, Venice is definitely a city for one's bucket list. Waterfront palazzos, palaces, and churches make drifting down the Grand Canal feel like cruising through a painting. To really experience Venice you must go to the opera or to a classical music performance, nibble fresh pasta and pastries, and linger in the exhibit halls of an art gallery. Label lovers will drool over the high-end shopping in Piazza San Marco.

Crowned by the lofty Udine Castle, the provincial city of Udine—located in Friuli, northeastern Italy—is celebrated for its architectural beauty. Sightseeing highlights include Gothic Loggia del Lionello, baroque Udine Cathedral, and the grand Piazza della Libertà.

Perched on Lake Garda’s eastern shore, and not far from Verona, Lazise is one of the Veneto region’s most popular vacation destinations. Its historic centre and lakefront beauty add to its charm, while water activities and action-packed theme parks attract families from all over the world.

Montreal, c’est si bon! This French-speaking city is considered the cultural capital of Canada, and is a cosmopolitan celebration of Québécois style. A horse-drawn carriage ride around the cobblestone streets and grand buildings of Vieux-Montréal will give you a taste of European flavour. The Basilique Notre-Dame is a confection of stained glass, and the Plateau Mont-Royal district will delight you with its quaint boutiques and cafés. Dig in to a massive plate of poutine to fuel up for a tour of the epic Olympic Park.

Bermuda’s capital hosts hordes of cruise visitors in its harbor area, where two-story pastel buildings line the seafront. On certain summer nights, waterfront streets are closed to traffic and vendors and entertainers take their place for boisterous Harbour Nights parties. Stock up on Bacardi at the rum giant’s HQ or explore the mysteries of the sea at Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. Hamilton presents some excellent golfing and shopping opportunities and is easy to explore on foot.

Ottawa is a compact, clean, cleverly planned centre of culture and politics. And it's an ideal choice for a weekend getaway. Start downtown at the architecturally stunning National Gallery of Canada, and don't miss the Canadian Nature Museum and the National Aviation Museum. Rideau Canal offers boating in the summer and ice-skating in the winter. Gatineau Park attracts cyclists and walkers, while Byward Market blends old and new Ottawa.

The first time you go to New York, go ahead and be a sight-seer—everyone should visit the Statue of Liberty, the Met, Times Square, etc. But on a return trip, pick a neighbourhood and go deep. You’ll find hole-in-the-wall bars, great delis, quirky shops… exploring the non-touristy side of New York is an incredibly rewarding experience for a traveller.

We've heard Toronto described as "New York City run by the Swiss," and it's true—you can find world-class theatre, shopping and restaurants here, but the sidewalks are clean and the people are friendly. The best place to start is literally at the top—the CN Tower, the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere.

We won't lie: Niagara Falls is uber-touristy. There are wax museums and a Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, and if it's a fast-food chain, you can probably find it here. But even the most jaded hipster shouldn't pass up a chance to visit this town, because the Falls themselves are spectacular.

Toronto's neighbour Mississauga has more than 480 parks and woodlands for you to explore. Stroll the Waterfront Trail, rent a boat at the marina or spend a day at the racetrack. It's also called Ontario's shopping capital, with everything from shopping centres and outlet malls to picturesque village-style shopping streets.