Why go: A seaside paradise, the Basque town of San Sebastian is renowned for its pioneering, Michelin-starred restaurants and beautiful beach on the Bahia de la Concha. Art Nouveau buildings and wide streets provide an idyllic setting for famed restaurants like Arzak and Mugaritz.

Where to stay: Works by local artists decorate the tranquil rooms of the Villa Soro, located on a tree-lined avenue alongside other stately 19th-century homes. Rooms from around $170; villasoro.es

Where to eat: Juan Mari Arzak helped found the new Basque cuisine at his eponymous restaurant, which, with its three Michelin stars, is considered one of the best places to eat in Spain—and the world.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Why go: With its cobbled streets, moody old buildings and dramatic scenery, Edinburgh has both history and charm to spare. But it’s very much a modern city, with great nightlife, excellent restaurants and year-round cultural festivals.

Where to stay: A designer B&B in a beautifully restored Victorian house, 94DR offers six rooms with modern interiors, a walled garden and a fantastic glass-enclosed breakfast room with meals prepared by the owners, one of whom is a trained chef. Rooms from around $100; 94dr.com.

Where to eat: Located in a Georgian townhouse, Paul Kitching's 21212 serves a five-course menu featuring playful takes on Scottish classics like fish-and-chips, or corned beef reimagined as a fillet with fried onions, celeriac and macadamia nuts. Every numeral in the restaurant's name refers to the number of choices diners get for each course.

Paris, France

Why go: While landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Tuileries gardens are universally romantic, much of the city’s appeal lies in quotidian attractions, from patisseries and chocolate shops to the Art Nouveau metro entrances.

Where to stay: Each of the 26 rooms at Le Pavillon des Lettres is dedicated to a different writer—quotations from legends like Hans Christian Andersen and Emile Zola are stenciled onto the walls of the elegant former townhouse. Rooms from around $370; pavillondeslettres.com.

Where to eat: At Pierre Jancou’s Vivant, you’ll find natural wines and rustic, impeccably sourced dishes like fat Challans duck leg served with crunchy polenta. Some of Paris's best brioche can be had at Philippe Conticini's futuristic La Pâtisserie des Rêves. La Chocolaterie de Jacques Genin is also renowned for its caramels, which come in flavors from cinnamon to passion fruit.

San Francisco, CA, USA

Why go: Gorgeous vistas, dizzying hills and pretty row houses make San Francisco one of the most romantic cities in the United States. There’s artisanal food everywhere, from fair-trade coffee shops to the incomparable Ferry Building farmers’ market.

Where to stay: Located in a landmark building where part of Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo was shot, Hotel Vertigo draws film buffs. Design buffs love the bold orange-and-white color scheme. Rooms from $99; hotelvertigosf.com.

Where to eat: At Cotogna, Michael Tusk updates rustic Italian cuisine with dishes like roast lamb with sunchokes and bagna cauda, and house-made tortelloni with rutabaga and pine nuts.

Fez, Morocco

Why go: An ancient fortress city, Fez seduces travelers with its maze-like alleyways lined with windowless shops, tiled mosques, tea gardens and souks overflowing with fruits, spices and nuts.