ÓBIDOS, PORTUGAL - The blackened oak doors of the 14th century Bar Ibn Errik Rex are closed the day we arrive with a local man named Luis Garcia.

BARCELONA - The glass-walled elevator, from which guests of the Claris Hotel view a stunning atrium with a small Japanese garden as they descend from their well-appointed rooms, stopped at the ground floor.

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND - If they gave out medals to cities based on beauty, then surely Lausanne, nestled on the shores of lovely Lake Geneva and at the base of the majestic Jura Mountains, would win gold.

ST. TROPEZ, FRANCE - The lazy old dog resting outside the shop selling lavender products refused to move when the tourist tried to gain entrance.  “Mon Dieu,” said the saleslady from within. “Zee dog has no manners.

GALWAY, IRELAND - An old man flashed a toothless smile and offered to help solve my dilemma - what to order from the luncheon menu at McDonagh's fish and chip shop.
 

ST. ANDREWS, SCOTLAND - Most people are attracted to this ancient city for one reason - golf. But there are at least 18 other reasons why people should come to St. Andrews, and most have little to do with the game that has been played here for more than 600 years.