Lisbon, Funchal (Madeira), Miami

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, on the southwest of the country, has been the main gateway for the rest of the planet for more than 19 centuries. Ships captained by Portuguese explorers like Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan, skittered across the globe, hauling treasure home and making Lisbon a global capital. Draped across seven hills, Lisbon was once the center of a vast maritime empire that stretched from the west coast of Africa to the Spice Islands of the East Indies, until 1755, when a violent earthquake destroyed two-thirds of the city, leaving intact only the Alfama, the old Moorish quarter. Today, Lisbon is a stately city of Neoclassical buildings and wide plazas. Eternally linked to the sea, Lisbon's magnificent harbor is spanned by the longest suspension bridge in Europe. Among the city's landmarks are the iconic Castelo de São Jorge, the World Heritage Sites of Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, both built in Lisbon's native Manueline architectural style.

Madeira is located in the north Atlantic Ocean, 520 km from the African coast and 1.000 km from the European continent. Today, it is a popular year-round resort, noted for its wine, flowers, landscapes and embroidery artisans. Madeira's capital Funchal, on the island's south coast, rises straight up from the sea and enchants visitors, with its red roofs and hibiscus easing gently down the lower slopes of Pico do Arieiro to the ocean. Time given, take the cable car toMonte Palace, in a 15-minute ride up and over the old town of Funchal and the Ribeira de Joao Gomes valley. When in town, wander along the Old centre, with its port and promenade, quaint and narrow winding streets, shops, cafés, bars and restaurants and view "Worker's Market", the 15th-century cathedral, the Theatre, the Town Hall and the waterfront.