Fréjus, France

Often referred to as “the French Pompeii,” Fréjus bursts with ancient monuments and a history that few seaside towns can claim. Here Julius Caesar founded the first Roman military harbor on the Mediterranean coast, and with its 2,000-year-old history you might just feel like you are in gladiatorial times past. Unmissable sites include the Roman Ampitheater, an impressive oval arena perched on the edge of town; the Roman Aqueduct, where channeled waters from the Foux and Siagnole Rivers meet via massive underground conduits; and the Archaeological Museum, which houses the bust of Hermes, the symbol of Fréjus. Take in the open-air street markets and cafés, brimming with local life and culture, and ask your chef to accent your evening’s meal with local flavors.