Dallas is about BBQ and cowboys—both the football kind and the calf-roping kind—but it's so much more than that, too.

READ: 25 Things to Do in Dallas, Texas

Over 25 years ago at summer camp, I met a young woman from Bath. She told me stories about a beautiful town in the west of England that had hot springs and looked like it was right out of a movie set. It turns out she wasn’t lying.

READ: 17 Best Things to Do in Bath, England

The beautiful city of Annapolis is often overlooked in favor of its larger neighbors like Baltimore or Washington, DC. But Annapolis is a waterfront retreat, a college town, and a picture-perfect capital city full of fun things to do.

READ: 24 Things to Do in Annapolis, Maryland

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has the feeling of a small town wrapped in a big city. Once known for its industries like tobacco and textiles, Winston-Salem has broadened its appeal as a center of art, culture, and food while still paying homage to its past.

READ: 21 Fun Things to Do in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Despite its proximity to big cities, Fredericksburg, Texas, is popular because it maintains a small town feel while having so many things to see and do. From wine tasting to taking in the local history, you'll never be bored in Fredericksburg.

READ: 34 Fun Things to Do in Fredericksburg, Texas

Nashville, Tennessee, is all about fun. Live music, street art, rooftop bars, and some of the best food anywhere combine to make a weekend in Nashville one of the best getaways you can take.

READ: A Perfect Nashville Weekend Getaway

Provence has something for just about everyone.

READ: 21 Best Things to Do in Provence, France

Ghent may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think about traveling to Europe, and that may be one of the top reasons to go.

READ: 17 Best Things to Do in Ghent

A little bit European and a little bit Canadian, Montreal is a city that loves good food, good art, and getting outside at every opportunity, no matter the weather. In the spirit of its French settlers, Montreal teems with joie de vivre.

READ: 22 Fun Things to Do in Montreal, Canada

Apparently we have been living under a rock. I have no other explanation for why we were unaware of the charm, culture, fun, and deliciousness in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

READ: 18 Fun Things to Do in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Rotterdam is full of surprises. It's a modern, vibrant city full of architecture, art, culture, and lots of great food.

READ: 14 Fun Things to Do in Rotterdam, Netherlands

Saratoga Springs is a city filled with music. It has fabulous parks, amazing food, and an overall joie de vivre.

READ: 23 Things to Do in Saratoga Springs, New York

Gettysburg is one of our favorite places on the East Coast. Popular for history, its attractive downtown, and excellent restaurants and bars, there are plenty of great things to do in Gettysburg.

READ: 22 Things to Do on a Weekend in Gettysburg

Mount Airy, North Carolina--affectionately known as Mayberry--was Andy Griffith's hometown and the inspiration for the setting of The Andy Griffith Show. This charming town offers good eats, excitement in the great outdoors, and unexpected history lessons, with a bit of moonshine thrown in.

READ: 14 Things to Do in Mount Airy, North Carolina

Riga is a brilliant mix of old and new. On a walk through this lovely city, you could glimpse a 700-year-old church next to a modern store next to a new building that was reconstructed to look old. This blend means there's something different around every corner and in every square.

READ: Fun Things to Do in Riga to Make the Most of Your Trip

Bergen exudes so much charm and small-town feel, you’d never know it’s actually Norway’s second largest city.

READ: 10 Things to do in Beautiful Bergen, Norway

Over 20 wineries occupy a 40-mile stretch on the south shore of Lake Erie. Regardless of your taste preference, you’re likely to find something to love here.

READ: A Wine Weekend in Lake Erie Wine Country

Dazzling colors, canals, the wonder of half-timbered buildings that look like a perfect illustration—these are the things of Colmar, France.

READ: A Complete Guide to Colmar–France’s Enchanting Medieval City

The sweet sounds of a jazz trombone, the first crunchy bite of a shrimp po’boy, the sight of a wrought-iron balcony decked out with Mardi Gras beads. All this and more is what makes New Orleans, Louisiana, like nowhere else.

READ: The Ideal 3 Days in New Orleans Itinerary

Tirana, Albania isn’t at the top of most travelers' lists. Even in Europe, it has a rather checkered reputation. But we found the Albanian capital city to be a fun and lively place.

READ: 11 Top Things to Do in Tirana, Albania

The ocean on California's central coast near Cambria

READ: An Ideal Weekend in Cambria, California

Luxembourg is one of Europe’s smallest countries. Despite its prime location between Belgium, Germany, and France, it sometimes gets overlooked in favor of its bigger neighbors.

READ: 17 Fun Things to Do in Luxembourg City

Sometimes you just need to get away. Long weekend trips can be the perfect answer—they don’t require much precious vacation time, costs are manageable, and they’re a break from the everyday.

READ: 10 Best Weekend Trips in the US

While long vacations are great, there's so much beauty in a quick, weekend getaway.

READ: How to Plan a Weekend Getaway

With 62 miles of coastline and the point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, is the perfect place for a relaxing long weekend.

READ: Luxury and Leisure on a Long Weekend in Punta Cana

The beauty of Lubeck, Germany, is complemented by divine food, great shopping, and a proud history still visible across the city today. With so much to offer, this northern German city is not to be missed, even if you’re short on time.

READ: 36 Hours in Lubeck, Germany

High in the Pyrenees Mountains is the tiny principality of Andorra. It’s the 179th largest country in the world, which is to say, it’s one of the smallest. Actually, it is the 16th smallest by size and is the 11th smallest by population. Despite its limited size, there are lots of great things to do in Andorra la Vella and the surrounding countryside.

READ: A Weekend Getaway in Andorra

Sleepy Albuquerque isn’t high on many travelers’ lists, but it should be. Often overlooked in favor of Denver or artsy Santa Fe, Albuquerque provides a unique gateway into southwestern culture. There are many fun things to do in Albuquerque and it makes a great weekend getaway.

READ: A Weekend in Albuquerque

Puerto Rico. There is so much that is misunderstood about this island. Yes, it’s a territory of the United States, but is far more than the “American Caribbean.” Here is our must do Puerto Rico itinerary for a long weekend.

READ: An Epic Long Weekend in Puerto Rico