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.

There is more to Helsinki than it's gorgeous emerald-domed cathedral. This Scandinavia capital is replete with a ton of fantastic cafes that give great views of the capital countryside. The fortress of Suomenlinna is also just a ferry ride away and its solitude and quietness stands in great contrast to the city sounds just across the water.

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.

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).

The old Chinese capital of Xi'an is a charming city with a vast history. It's home to the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum and the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors. Even more so, here you can hike one of China's 5 great mountains, Mt. Huashan. Within the city itself, visits to the Bell and Drum Towers, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, as well as the Xi'an city walls, are must dos.

As the only city located on two continents (Europe and Asia), you could say Istanbul is double the fun. The attractions of this city are endless: Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Galata bridge and tower, Taksim Square, Grand Bazaar, Basilica Cistern, and the Maiden's Tower are a great way to get started to discovering the identity of this amazing city.

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!

Uppsala is just 40 minutes north of Stockholm by train. It's the fourth largest city in Sweden (with a paltry 200k for population). Make no mistake, this charming city has great importance in Sweden as a whole. While here, you can enjoy Uppsala Castle and Linnaeum nearby. The best place in the city to experience the sunset and Uppsala Cathedral is right along the canal at Gotlandsparken.

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.

Mostar is quietly becoming a more popular destination in the Balkan Peninsula. Perhaps what is most striking is the iconic Stari Most bridge. Book a day tour and you can also see other landmarks like the Millennium Cross on Hum Hill, the Dervish Monastery at Blagaj Tekke, the village of Pocitelj, and the Kravica waterfalls.

There is much more to Liverpool than Beatles and docks. The independent scene here is what makes this city so unique. Here you can also watch the best football team in the world (Liverpool FC), see the WWII era ruins of the 'Bombed Out Church', hear live music at the Cavern Club, stroll along Albert Dock, see art at the Tate, and eat to your heart's content at Baltic Market.

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.

This Chinese capital city is HUGE and it can be intimidating to see. The must-see stops of Beijing include The Forbidden City, Tianenmen Square, and the Summer Palace. You can also see different portions of the Great Wall from Beijing as well. Don't forget to sample the street food and spend some time in a tea house.

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.