The prophet Mohammed's birthplace is Islam's spiritual center and is strictly off-limits to non-Muslims. The pillars of Islam state that all Muslims with the means must undertake Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca, once in their lifetime. Those who visit the holy city are rewarded not just by proximity to landmarks and religious sites crucial to the religion, such as the Masjid Al Haram (Holy Mosque), the Mountain of Light, the Black Stone and the Well of Zamzam, but with the forgiveness of all their sins.

A beach town on the Arabian Sea in southern India, Kovalam features three spectacular crescent beaches. The most popular and largest beach is Lighthouse Beach, aptly named for its 30-meter lighthouse, which features a stunning site - the Vizhinjam mosque. For a less crowded beach, visit Samudra Beach, with ample coconut trees and great views of the local fishermen at work.

A boisterous port city on the surface, this urban capital of Crete hides millennia of history beneath its modern trappings. In Heraklion, scooters zip past Minoan and medieval relics such as the seaside Koules Fortress, while Turkish fountains bubble up in the shadow of apartment blocks.

Lonavala is one of the twin hill stations located near to each other, the other being Khandala. These hill stations are very popular getaway spots for people from Mumbai and Pune, which are very well-linked with Lonavala by road and rail. Monsoons are the best time to visit Lonavala/Khandala.

Powdery sand meets turquoise water in Santa Maria, where morna music pours from beachside bars just a short drive from Ilha do Sal's airport and capital city. Add the sun-and-saltwater resort scene to energetic nightlife, and you get one of Cape Verde’s most popular escapes.

Just south of the Majorcan capital, Playa de Palma’s golden coastline is lined by luxury hotels, international restaurants, and lively bars. Popular with revelers, the resort strip also offers water sports facilities and easy access to the airport, making it a convenient hub for any sunseeker.

The Costa del Sol juxtaposes gorgeous Mediterranean old towns and inland national parks with developed beach resorts. Famed for being the birthplace of Picasso, Malaga serves as a gateway to family-favorite stops such as Benidorm and Fuengirola.