Paris

The City of Light draws millions of visitors every year with its unforgettable ambiance. Of course, the divine cuisine and vast art collections deserve some of the credit as well. The gentle river the Seine rambles through the city, flanked by stately museums, centuries-old churches, and blocks of Rococo and Neoclassic design architecture, further enhanced by cascading trees and glowing streetlamps. Peppering the Seine's cobbled walks and graceful bridges are impossibly chic Parisians, probably on their way to the market, cafe, or cinema.

Containing world-class museums, fashion, cuisine, and an atmosphere all its own, Paris is also a city of "many splendors" as Ernest Hemingway recalled in his memoir, "A Moveable Feast." Visit the beloved Musée d'Orsay, shop the biggest designers on the Champs Élysées, hit the boutiques in Le Marais, take in the view atop the Eiffel Tower, or even plan a day trip to Versailles Palace. But don't miss out on the simple pleasure of meandering the marvelous districts, or snacking on street crepes either.

• Country: France
• Best Hotels: Le Bristol Paris, La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa, Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
• Best Things to Do: Notre-Dame Cathedral (Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris), Musée du Louvre, Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)
• Best Months to Visit: From June to August and September to October