Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento, Italy

Walking into this 19th-century cliffside grand dame is like stepping into Italy’s glamorous past when the who’s who of the country’s creative set would gather here.

Among the many big-name guests was famed tenor Enrico Caruso, whose eponymous suite is still decked out in antiques and black-and-white photographs.

Le Sirenuse, Positano, Italy

When it comes to luxurious hotels on Italy’s glammed-out Amalfi Coast, it doesn’t get much more iconic than Le Sirenuse.  Made famous by John Steinbeck, who wrote about his stay here in 1953, the hotel still attracts movie stars and jet-setters to the once sleepy fishing village of Positano.

W Barcelona, Spain

If you want your vacay to combine city and beach, Barcelona has the best of both worlds: architectural marvels by Gaudí, next-level restaurants and bars, world-class museums, and a powdery stretch of sand dubbed La Barceloneta.

Gran Meliá de Mar, Mallorca, Spain

All 144 rooms and suites overlook the water and the pool is dotted with Balinese-style cabanas where guests spend afternoons sunning, sleeping, and drinking cocktails.

Le Negresco, Nice, France

A National Historic Monument overlooking Nice’s famed Promenade des Anglais, this exquisite property is one of France’s few remaining independently owned hotels—and it’s got a world-class art collection to boot.

Pine Cliffs Residence, a Luxury Collection Resort, Algarve, Portugal

In Portugal’s Algarve region, where urbanites decamp during summer, the Pine Cliffs Residence is a secluded stay with sweeping views of the Atlantic.

Along with the neighboring Pine Cliffs Hotel and Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites, the hotel spans over 170 acres of the Portuguese coastline and has plenty of outdoor activities—from golf to water sports—to keep you entertained.

Casa Ellul, Malta

]With crystal-clear waters, mouthwatering cuisine, and a rich history that goes back centuries, the lesser-known island of Malta is a great getaway for travelers looking for an alternative to Italy or France.

Mandarin Oriental Bodrum, Turkey

White-hot Bodrum is Turkey’s answer to the Amalfi Coast, a splashy resort town full of statement-making resorts—and the Mandarin Oriental is arguably its finest. The chic, contemporary design features lots of wood and earth tones that perfectly complement the stunning ocean vistas and the guest rooms take full advantage of the waterfront setting with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Grace Santorini, Greece

On the idyllic Greek island of Santorini, this whitewashed resort is downright drool-worthy, thanks to a gorgeous infinity pool overlooking the sea, a sleek interior filled with modernist furniture, and an unbeatable location on the caldera’s clifftop.

Villa Dubrovnik, Croatia

You may have seen Dubrovnik on Game of Thrones, but this historic walled city has lots more to offer than cinematic settings.  The Dalmatian Coast has long been a favorite of Europeans, who come to relax by the shimmering Adriatic Sea, enjoy fresh seafood, and take advantage of affordable hotel rates.

The Grand Hotel Eastbourne, East Sussex, England

England’s sleepy county of East Sussex is best known for its rolling hills, medieval towns, and the tallest chalk sea cliffs in all of Britain.