Favorite Places, Best Picks

Driving: Transylvania has stunning forested landscapes and stupendous castles, such as Peles, Rasnov Fortress and Bran (closely, but wrongly, associated with Dracula). If you have time and really want to explore the land of Dracula, head to Sighisoara. This charming medieval town is the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, who was the inspiration for Bram Stoker's famous blood-sucking character. Britain's Prince Charles has been involved in the Mihai Eminescu Trust, which works on conservation and regeneration of Saxon villages and communes nearby. The city has a citadel and an announcer who wears traditional dress while he welcomes tourists to the city.

--Ginanne Brownell

4 Hours in Reykjavik

For those willing to brave the climate, Iceland's thriving capital offers a generous helping of Nordic culture, aquatic cuisine and Viking history. Just don't forget your jacket.

Bathe in the therapeutic waters of the Blue Lagoon, conveniently located near the airport, or one of the city's prevalent "hot pots"—outdoor tubs heated to withstand the cold.