Whether it's one of your island hopping stops, or your final destination, Crete is a great place to become enveloped in ancient history and Greek culture. There's time to walk along the shore, taste amazing cheeses (you'll probably never find a better feta), hang out with the locals and explore ruins thousands of years old from the Minoan civilization.

If your ideal destination involves soaking up European history and sophistication without being surrounded by other American tourists looking to do the same thing, then bypass the standard capitals in favor of Budapest. Since the end of communism and Hungary's entrance into the EU in 2004, this city on the Danube River has been steadily growing in popularity because of its gorgeous art and architecture, as well as its smart and stylish (but still welcoming to visitors) citizens.

The City of Light is a sensory wonderland: world-renowned boutiques, cozy street-side cafes, aromatic bistros, grand avenues, jazz clubs, galleries and museums collectively cast a spell on this enchanting city. A must-visit destination for romantics and artists alike, Paris is full of urban parks and gardens, and the beautiful Seine River runs right through its heart.

Find pure bliss on this island of whitewashed, cliffside houses and blue-roofed churches. Located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km southeast of mainland Greece, Thira is a small, circular group of volcanic islands (also called Santorini).

Called "the new Riviera," Croatia's Dalmatian Coast is poised to become the next big thing (in-the-know celebs already flock here in the summer). What's the draw? This gorgeous European collection of islands is a study in extremes: Thick forests and rocky cliffs jut out over pebbly beaches and ancient ruins sit within walking distance of hip nightlife.

For centuries, Europe has symbolized the epitome of romance for many couples. (more…)

This richly romantic country offers rolling hills, misty oceanside cliffs, quaint seaside villages, plus grand castles and country manors, making it the perfect resting spot for vacationers.Rain showers are common in Ireland and they keep the rolling hills and meadows swathed in endless kelly green, rendered all the more vibrant next to piercing blue lakes, wildflowers, limestone castles, baahhhing sheep, and the shifting light of moody skies.

The intoxicating beauty of Spain's largest island has been attracting artists and musicians since the late nineteenth century, and recent days have transformed it into a hot spot for luxury resort vacations. Sweeping bays and clear, blue waters stretch out in striking contrast to the jutting cliffs and towering mountains of this Mediterranean locale.

It's midnight on the streets, and an elderly woman passes by with a stroller. Up ahead, laughing crowds slide into chic restaurants for dinner. And it's a Tuesday. Strange? Not in Madrid -- this charming city is up all night, every night. A perfect spot for the cosmopolitan couple, the Spanish capital blends big-city style and energy with laid-back Mediterranean attitude.

The city of Athens is one of the oldest in the world, holding onto its status as a cultural center for at least 3,000 years. The remainders of past civilizations still look over this crowded city -- rising up on the hills of the Acropolis, scattered along the walks of the Plaka and well preserved in scores of museums. This cradle of western civilization and historical haven for philosophers (Plato and Aristotle, for example) will give you a vacation that blends a vivid past with an exciting urban present.