Quito for some may just be a quick stop on their way to the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. Make no mistake however, this capital city is worth spending a few days in. Whether you want to check out the crafts and markets at La Ronda, visit the Ecuador, or see the gorgeous church of Basilica del Voto Nacional, you'll be glad you took the time to see this cityscape before your Galápagos trip.

When you're in this part of the world, be sure to take a ferry from Chumphon towards the East Thai islands of Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Phangan. These islands together all have a little something different to offer so it's worth checking out all three. You can expect to go snorkeling, paddle boarding, suntanning, diving, and plenty of eating and drinking when you're here. Enjoy!

The southern region of Vietnam has a massive bustling city in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), and an area lush with jungle vegetation, known as the Mekong Delta. Here you can get two massively different experiences, but just as much adventure. If you desire to go to the beach and live in paradise for a few days, then Nha Trang is just for you!

Just a short train ride away from Lisbon, the city of Sintra is a must see. It's best known as the site for the National Palace of Pena, the colorful Romanticist Castle and one of the Portugal’s Seven Wonders. Other places to see in Sintra include Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors) and Quinta da Regaleira (a lavish garden estate and UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Lisbon may be considered one of the most romantic cities in Portugal (let alone the world), but did you know you can also surf here too? In the town itself, check out the Tower of Belém, Castelo de S. Jorge, Carmo Convent, and Elevador da Bica. For a great bar with sweeping views of the city, head on over to PARK!

Known for it's cheap beer and destination for stag and hen do's, there is much more to this Central European capital. The main sites like the Lennon Wall, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and Old Town Square are a must see. Do yourself a favour though and try to get off the beaten path and check out places like the Kafka Museum, Rigierovy sady park, and St. Vitus Cathedral.

This is a capital like no other. It's mainly known as the home of the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Sziget Festival, and the Széchenyi Baths. Make sure you carve out time to see sights on both sides of the river like Heroes Square, Vajdahunyad Castle, Chain Bridge, Fisherman's Bastion, Shoes on the Danube, and Buda Castle.

You would think that a country of just 350,000 people wouldn't have much to offer, and you would be very wrong in this case. The Icelandic capital of Reykjavik is small, but packs a punch. Book a northern lights tour, go to the Blue Lagoon tourist trap, swim between the tectonic plates at Silfra, see the Golden Circle sights like Gulfoss waterfall and Strokkur geyser and grab coffee at Stofan Cafe.

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.

The Art Nouveau style of the Latvian capital of Riga is a refreshing change from the skyscrapers that usually accompany capital cities. This city can be reached by bus, plane, or ferry and boasts city center attractions like Riga Castle, Three Brothers, House of the Blackheads, Swedish Gate, St. Peter's Church, and Riga Market.

Venice may be a victim of overtourism and climate change, but there is still time to see this Italian island while contributing to its longevity. Stay a few nights here, grab some gelato and pizza, and check out the Rialto and L'Accademia Bridges, St. Mark's Square with the Campanile, Doge's Palace, and Bridge of Sighs in the distance, and the neighboring islands of Lido, Murano, and Burano.

You will realize really quickly that pretty much every city, town, village, corner of Norway is gorgeous and Bergen is no different. There are awesome sights to see on the water like Bryggen Bergen and Bergenhus Fortress. What's more is that you can get the best aerial view of the city from Mt. Fløyen and Mt. Ulriken, or you can admire the street art in addition to the Kode Art Museum.

The Western Cape in South Africa is one of the best places in the world for a week's long road trip (which should cover MOST of the sites). You can do a plethora of activities around Stellenbosch and Cape Town like surfing at Strand and Muizenburg, see penguins at Boulder's Beach, drive the scenic Chapman's Peak, hike Lion's Head during the full moon, and dine at the V&A Waterfront.

Morocco is one of those countries with a plethora of different cities to satisfy everyone's tastes. You can choose from the coastal cities of Casablanca and Essaouira, the cultural centers Marrakech and Fez, and the blue city of Chefchaouen (among others). Here I'll highlight some of the places to see in these cities like the Hassan II Mosque, Jemaa El-Fna market, and the Chouara Tannery.

The Swedish capital of Stockholm is arguably the best in all of Scandinavia. An archipelago of 14 islands, the city offers great attractions and museums such as Fotografiska, Erik's Gondolen, Monteliusvägen, Gröna Lund, Gamla Stan, Riddarholm Church, Royal Palace, Vasa and ABBA Museums, and the Stockholm Tunnelbana.

Bolivia's capital of La Paz is the highest capital city in the world. Bolivia also has the largest salt flat in the world (Salar de Uyuni). This guide outlines how and where to see the highlights of this country, Laguna Colorada, Laguna Verde, Isla Incahuasi, Licancabur Volcano, Laguna Hedionda, [Salvador] Dalí Desert, Desert Siloli, Árbol de Piedra, and Geiser Sol de Mañana.