Essaouira is a port city on the western coast of Morocco. Originally called 'Mogador' until the 1960s, it is characterized as a late 18th century fortified town and therefore listed as a UNESCO World Heritage city. The abundance of blue fishing boats makes it quite obvious that this industry dominates the city. The abundant winds the city receives is perfect for windsurfing and kite surfing.

Funchal is the capital city of the autonomous zone of Madeira, owned by Portugal. With a population just north of 100,000, it is the 6th largest city in all of Portugal. Some great places to check out include the Funchal-Monte Teleférico, Forte de São Tiago, the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, Jardim Quinta Magnólia, Palácio de São Lourenço, and Fuerte De Madeira.

Ponta Delgada (meaning "Thin Cape") is the largest city in the Azores (an autonomous region owned by Portugal), situated on the island of São Miguel. It was established in 1450 and is essentially the heart of the Azores islands economically, politically, and socially. Some notable places to check out include Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião, Forte de São Brás, and Plantação de Ananás dos Açores.

São Miguel (Ilha Verde) is just one of the islands that make up the Azores Islands, formally owned by Portugal. Known as the "Green Island", it is the largest and most populated island in the Azores . The geography and biome of the island make it an amazing place to visit. Great places to check out include Sete Cidades, Mosteiros, Povoação, Furnas, Vila Franca do Campo, and Ponta Delgada.

Sweden has countless castles (or 'slott' in Swedish) from its storied history. Seeing all of them would take ages. I have compiled a list of some of my favorite castles from across Sweden including Uppsala Castle, Kalmar Castle, Kärnan, Borgholms Castle, Gripsholm Castle, Vaxholm Fortress, Örebro Castle, Skokloster Castle, and Carlstens Fästning.

The island of Marstrand sits about an hour north of Gothenburg on the west coast of Sweden. The archipelago of Gothenburg is a sight to see but if you're feeling more ambitious, find your way to Marstrand where you can hike around the whole island, enjoy swedish dishes like skagenröra and kardemummabulle, while taking in views of Carlstens Fästning and Strandverket.

This Scandinavian capital has loads of fascinating sights to see. Start at the Oslo Opera House and also check out Akershus Fortress, the Royal Palace, and Frogner Park. Make sure you don't miss the Kon-Tiki, Fram, and Viking Ship Museums on the Bygdøyfergene Peninsula as well.

Dubrovnik is quickly becoming one of the best summer destinations in all of Europe. This walled city with orange-shingled rooftops may be recognizable from TV shows but here you can also go kayaking around the walls at Kolorina, go hiking on Srd Hill, swim at Poporela, go shopping on Stradun St., and hang out with new friends on the Jesuit Staircase.