Framed by the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and the wooded Collserola mountains, Barcelona is beautiful whichever way you approach it. A patchwork of distinctly different neighborhoods tells a story of an ancient city with a modern, cosmopolitan heart. There's a culinary, arts and nightlife culture to match; expect some of the best of Europe all within arms reach in Barcelona.

London is inexhaustible. You could tour the city for months and barely get to know her, with few other cities able to support such a variety of people living in remarkable harmony.

Few metropolises on earth are as alive as Madrid, a beguiling city whose sheer energy carries a simple message: these people know how to live. The old and the new contrast vividly in Madrid, where narrow cobbled lanes and architecture from the 17th-century border modern boulevards and gleaming skyscrapers.

Milan is elegant, chaotic, and utterly beguiling in turn. It’s a world leader on the international fashion stage, the banking capital of Italy, a wealthy city of glamorous people and stylish shopping streets. And did we mention history?

Paris is one of the most beautiful cities on earth, a truth easily appreciated on a stroll that yields one stunning vista after another, from the epic Eiffel Tower to the regal Jardin des Tuileries to the petite cafés of Saint Germain bursting onto the sidewalks.

Rome may just be the most fascinating cities in Italy, which arguably makes it the most fascinating city in the world. An ancient place packed with the relics of over two thousand years of inhabitation, you could spend a month here and still only scratch the surface. Yet it’s so much more than an open-air museum: its culture, its food, its people make up a modern, vibrant city that would be worthy of a visit irrespective of its past.

You'll see it on bumper stickers throughout the city: 'Keep Austin Weird.' And while old-timers gripe about Austin losing its funky charm, the city has mostly managed to hang on to its laid-back, eccentric vibe. From the best BBQ in the US (don't tell Kansas City) to a thriving music scene, Austin has no shortage of local culture.

Bogotá is on the move. Once considered a place to avoid, the Colombian capital has cleaned up its act and is fast becoming one of Latin America's urban highlights. Old meets new, luscious green landscapes border concrete jungles and modern homes stand tall beside enchanting colonial architecture. The overall effect? A city you'll never forget.

Blending Parisian charm with Latin American flair, Buenos Aires is a city jam-packed with culture. From underground art galleries and tango to wine tasting and polo, you'll never be bored in this city that rarely sleeps.

Mexico City is having a moment, revamped public spaces are springing back to life, the culinary scene is exploding and a cultural renaissance is currently in full effect.

Surprisingly cosmopolitan, energetic, sophisticated and worldly, Santiago is a city of syncopated cultural currents, madhouse parties, expansive museums and top-flight restaurants. No wonder 40 percent of Chileans call the leafy capital home.

As the largest city in Brazil, São Paulo is cosmopolitan and vibrant. It is a phenomenal city to explore, with strong regional influence in commerce, finance, arts, restaurants and entertainment. This is a city which works hard but plays even harder. Once the sun goes down, São Paulo truly comes to life. With bars on every street corner, ranging from traditional hole-in-the-wall botecos to the trendiest spots in South America. Visiting São Paulo is almost like visiting a little piece of every part of the world and can be easily compared to New York