The village of Franschhoek (French Corner), tucked into the Cape Winelands of South Africa, is known as the country's food and wine capital. Galleries and antique shops fill the tree-lined streets, and vineyards established more than 300 years ago cascade over the hills just outside town. Local activities range from wine-tasting tours to trout fishing and hiking. The Huguenot Memorial Museum honors the town's early settlers, who fled religious persecution in France.

Cape Town glistens at the southern toe of the African continent. Tourist brochure-views at Blaauwberg Beach and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens are within easy driving distance of "The Mother City." The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve provides sweeping sea vistas, hiking trails and wildlife encounters. On a more somber note, travellers can visit Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 27 years.

From flat-topped Table Mountain down to the blue waters of Table Bay, Cape Town is simply stunning, but the city doesn't thrive by its looks alone. Proudly multicultural, its flourishing arts, dining, and nightlife scenes are proof of this modern metropolis' creativity and innovative spirit.

Shaded spots go early at Cape Town's crowded Camps Bay, where locals picnic and play in the strong Atlantic waves. Look for the flagged bathing areas for safer swims for all the family. Festive cafes sit adjacent to the sands, which are dramatically set at the foot of the Twelve Apostles Mountains.

Mombasa, with a population of 900,000, is no sleepy seaside village. Its beachfront hotels appeal to travellers in search of sun, sand and surf, while its Arab, Indian and colonial European heritage makes for a wide variety of sights to see. Can't find a taxi? Travel by tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled auto rickshaw.

Day-trip distance from Buenos Aires, the Tigre River Delta offers porteños (Buenos Aires residents) and tourists alike a playground for everything from horseback riding and hiking to fishing and swimming. Comprised of hundreds of tiny islands, the Tigre is about 20 miles northeast of Buenos Aires and is reachable from the city by trains, then by boat from the train station. While the main attraction here is the delta itself (formed where five rivers come together), you’ll also find a Naval Museum, restaurants and playgrounds for kids. Several tour companies offer day-trip excursions to the Tigre River Delta—but visitors also can book stays in area bed & breakfasts and adventure lodges.

As one of Argentina’s largest cities, Cordoba’s rich history is showcased in its regal colonial buildings and UNESCO-listed monuments, but this university town is also a cultural pioneer where art, music, and cuisine are celebrated with a glass of Fernet and coke, a local favourite.