57 days in Europe, South Pacific, United States & Canada Itinerary

Defined by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1803, the Canton of St. Gallen connects Switzerland to Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein at its borders. The region serves as a hub for culture and education in Europe, and is home to two World Heritage Sites: the Abbey of St. Gall, with its Baroque cathedral and vast library, and the thrust fault formation in the Alps. The university puts special emphasis on economic science, which complements the canton's prevalent industries of optical goods, pyrotechnics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Stroll through the Old Town of the regional capital, St. Gallen, browse the handsome boutiques, or pull up a chair at a quaint cafe. Tourist attractions include thermal spas, water parks, museums, and winter sports facilities aplenty.

Baden-Wurttemberg is one of Germany's most popular vacation destinations. After all, who wouldn't be entranced by pristine natural habitats, rich culture, a multitude of mineral spas, and plenty of sunshine all year long? Most of this region is covered by the famed Black Forest. This spot's rugged peaks, glittering lakes, and well-maintained trails draw hikers, cyclists, and swimmers from around the globe. Located in the southern section of the country, Baden-Wurttemberg shares many of its traditions with its German-speaking neighbors in France, Switzerland, and Austria. Far more bucolic than the central and northern parts of the country, the area nevertheless offers a wealth of urban pleasures and tourist attractions. It features several large cities, most notably Stuttgart, the home of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Be sure to include Baden-Baden on your itinerary as well, as its spas have been soothing weary travelers since Roman times.

Saxony features a long history of independence as a separate kingdom. It is a fascinating mix of medieval castles, cobbled town squares, Gothic churches, lavish palaces, and old-fashioned steam trains. The people who live here have a strong sense of distinctness from other Germans. This mainly stems from the region's history of independence and its large population of ethnic Sorbs (a Slavic people). But the residents are as friendly and warm as they are proud of their cultural and natural riches. Saxony is home to several high-profile cities full of things to do. It also contains a sprawling countryside dotted by neat vineyards, sun-drenched parks, rugged sandstone cliffs, lush meadows, and picturesque hillside villages. Still relatively undiscovered by foreign travelers, the area outside Saxony's urban centers remains one of the least-explored regions of the country. Venture deep into this multifaceted land to soak up the local culture. You'll be able to enjoy sightseeing at the various cultural and natural attractions unhindered by large tourist crowds.

Taking its name from the larger historical region, Lesser Poland Province, or voivodeship, is often seen as the hub of all things Polish. The provincial capital Krakow offers up nearly a millennium's worth of royal and political history. Beyond Krakow, be sure to include historical cities Zakopane, Krynica, Koscielisko, and Bukowina Tatrzanska in your holiday itinerary. The mostly hilly province is full of national parks, high mountain ranges, underground waters and spas, medieval castles, and cultural museums. Dozens of World Heritage Sites are spread throughout the province, from medieval wooden churches and the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine to Wawel castle in Krakow and the monastery of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.

Western Australia's almost 12,000 km (7,450 mi) of coastline is broken up only by oasis-like towns and cities. Most of the state, however, is an arid region of mostly uninhabited, infertile land with an untamed physical aesthetic. The harsh climate cultivates a laid-back lifestyle centered on the coast’s shaded enclaves and picturesque beaches. Australia’s largest state, with an area of 2.65 million sq km (1 million sq mi), Western Australia contains over a third of the country’s landmass but just 11 percent of its population.

The smallest state on mainland Australia, Victoria nevertheless boasts a richly attractive interior and an exotic, bay-strewn coastline that compensates for its relatively diminutive size. With snow-topped alpine areas and coastal paradises running into dry, semi-arid plains in the west and northwest, Victoria has something of a split personality in relation to its geography. Around 70 percent of Victoria’s population live in the capital of the state, Melbourne.

More than the country of car-packed streets seen in TV shows and movies, the United States of America is a complex and diverse home to over 300 million people living in a wide range of landscapes and climates. From its big-city skyscrapers to its sprawling natural parks, the country's ''melting pot'' combines many ethnic groups that share a strong sense of national identity despite their cultural differences. A country of road trips and big blue skies, the United States harbors orderly cities filled with restaurants, parks, museums, and innumerable sightseeing opportunities, as well as pristine natural areas perfect for a holiday in the great outdoors. To see as much as you can of this diverse land quickly, drive over some of the more than 6 million km (4 million mi) of highways leading through deserts, mountain peaks, fertile fields, and giant urban centers.

Most people remember their holiday in Canada by the country's great outdoors, yet this sprawling land of hulking mountains and rocky coastlines also boasts numerous modern cities, home to some of the world's finest dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Made for leisurely road trips, North America's biggest country features vast landscapes still unspoiled by mass tourism. A tour of Canada reveals a place packed with diverse cultures, living in tolerance and enjoying one of the highest standards of living in the world. If the vastness of those natural landscapes overwhelms you at any point during your Canada vacation, head to the openhearted cities of Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal, ideal destinations for art lovers, history buffs, shopaholics, fashionistas, and impassioned foodies.

Home to the country's most populous city, the state of New York is a major gateway for immigration into the United States, but also one of the nation's prime holiday destinations. Take a trip down the state's numerous wilderness trails and scenic roads to visit quaint small towns, sandy beaches, historical estates, and artist colonies. Though the majority of visitors head for the big-city restaurants, theaters, and museums, you can venture deeper into the rugged and remote mountain areas to discover a world of picturesque forests, rivers, mountains, and lakes. New York also boasts the nation's largest forest preserve, encompassing much of the northeastern lobe of the state.

Considered one of England's most unspoiled counties, Shropshire is both easy to reach from almost anywhere in the country and far enough from the big urban centers to have stayed relatively unchanged over the last few decades. A laid-back atmosphere pervades local life, attracting visitors eager to escape the overcrowded tourist sites of the more frequented regions. The locals take pride in their modern food culture, which is centered around trendy restaurants serving dishes prepared with some of the finest organic ingredients available in the country. Renowned for its local ales, the county leads the way in the home-brew revival, with a multitude of small traditional pubs, inns, and microbreweries.

Largely hilly and completely landlocked, South Yorkshire was once known as the industrial heartland of northern England. Having reinvented itself in the last few decades, the region is now noted for exceptional shopping options, family tourist attractions, and a vibrant nightlife. Passionate about music, sports, and art, the locals are always quick to point out that their region contains some of the country’s finest museums and Victorian monuments. When you visit South Yorkshire, be sure not to limit your itinerary to Sheffield, a city famous for its steel industry. Escape the urban crowds on a tour through the region’s lush meadows, rolling hills, and leafy forests, either on foot or by bicycle.

Located at the southwest tip of Norway, Rogaland is a region famous for its history and industry. Inhabited since prehistoric times, it is also the cradle of Norwegian statehood and the starting point of many Viking raids during the Middle Ages. Nowadays this busy area is the center of Norway's petroleum production and one of country's main agricultural and mining regions. However, the region's wealth of unique natural attractions, including scenic fjords, islands, and beaches, make it a perfect destination for hiking, cycling, fishing, cross-country skiing, and even surfing. Culture vultures will appreciate the abundance of museums celebrating local history and traditions, as well as the art festivals and performances that the region regularly hosts. Stavanger, Rogaland’s largest city, is a bustling urban center with many tourist attractions, exciting nightlife, and a selection of places where you can try the specialties of the local cuisine.

You'll feel the sun getting bigger and brighter the closer you get to Provence on the Mediterranean. When you glimpse your first red-tiled roof, you'll know you've entered the south, filled with vineyards, cypresses, and the crisp, inviting scent of lavender and rosemary. Since before the Roman Empire, Provence has been a vibrant community, partially due to its intensely bright sunlight--bathing the people in its radiance, as well as soaking sunflowers, olive groves, vineyards, and purple lavender fields with its warm rays. Breezy, star-filled nights set the mood for a romantic vacation highlighted by a moonlit stroll, a dramatic performance at the theater, or dynamic nightlife decked out in the height of fashion at the trendiest nightclubs.

Since Provence is a historical province, some people include the French Riviera as part of the region, because it shares the cultural and linguistic identity unique to Provence, while others view the area north of Cannes as separate from the region.

Joining the Mediterranean Sea, and flanked by the Rhône River and the Alps, this region captivated master artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, and Cézanne. If included on an itinerary, it will do the same for you, with its tranquil gardens, mysterious caves, rustic vistas, Roman ruins, and enchanting old harbors. You can enjoy the finer things in life here, like searching for that special something at the area boutiques, visiting the workshop of a local artisan for authentic regional arts and crafts, and learning historical tidbits from a resident's perspective by antiquing in the country's best stores. Like its native Provençal inhabitants, you too can enjoy world-class people watching. If you're lucky, you'll catch a glimpse of a major celeb or two followed by the relentless paparazzi, all while sitting at an outdoor café overlooking any one of the magnificent Mediterranean marinas, one of the most quintessential things to do in the region.

Although the province of East Flanders boasts a scenic countryside of rustic villages and dense woodlands, its most-visited attraction remains the medieval city of Ghent. The beating heart of the province, the city offers a vigorous cultural scene, rich architectural heritage, and some of Belgium's finest museums. Other notable places to visit include the lesser-known towns scattered along the banks of the river Schelde, including Sint-Niklaas, home to the largest market square in the country. Instead of spending your entire holiday in a single city, use Ghent as your base and spend time exploring the region's extensive network of sign-posted cycling routes; it's one of the longest such networks in Europe.