THE BEST Hotels with Fireplaces in Stellenbosch

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.

Beautiful Hermanus is a South African seaside town that’s a popular whale-watching site. An initial visit to the Old Harbour Museum will acquaint you with the area’s rich fishing history and impress you with a massive exhibit of a whale skeleton. With dozens of area vineyards, Hermanus is a great base for a guided wine tasting tour.

Nabq Bay is pristine and peaceful, thanks in large part to its status as a protected area. Here, mingle with dozens of species of flora and fauna amid the mangroves or dive into the sparkling water to explore the nearby coral reef. "Wild" (unguided) snorkeling is popular here—happy swimmers bob along as peacefully as the undisturbed wildlife. More adventurous travelers can venture into the desert on one of the many popular quad tours.

This urban waterworld is a fast-growing city tucked into a bend of the Parana River about 186 miles northwest of Buenos Aires. Slip into a kayak or take a cruise for the best river views, or hit the city centre, bustling with discos, theatres, pedestrian malls, restaurants and parks popular with cyclists. A national monument on the riverbank honours the city's historic role as the site where the Argentine flag was first flown.

Houmt-Souk is a tranquil cultural hub, a peaceful meeting point of varying religions and ethnicities. Nowhere is this melange more evident than at the markets, where you could spend hours, even days, poring over locally crafted pottery, jewelry, leather goods, textiles and artwork, as well as a bounty of fruits, vegetables, spices and meats. Don’t miss the beachside fortress, a massive 15th-century structure that’s one of the most important archaeological sites of the region.

Italy’s southernmost island, Lampedusa lies between Malta and Tunisia and is geographically part of the African continent. The largest of the Pelagian Islands, Lampedusa is arid and gets its only fresh water from rainfall. In summer, it is served by low-cost Italian airlines with direct flights from several mainland cities, as well as ferry service from Sicily. Lampedusa is treasured by visitors for its fine white sandy beaches, its clear turquoise waters and its excellent scuba diving.

A beach town on the Arabian Sea in southern India, Kovalam features three spectacular crescent beaches. The most popular and largest beach is Lighthouse Beach, aptly named for its 30-metre lighthouse, which features a stunning site - the Vizhinjam mosque. For a less crowded beach, visit Samudra Beach, with ample coconut trees and great views of the local fishermen at work.