Rising dramatically out of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man enchants first-time visitors with its craggy coastline dotted with medieval forts, towers, and castles. (You can fly here, but the best views are aboard ferries arriving from Ireland or the U.K.) Its waterfront capital of Douglas is a great place to explore the island’s proud seafaring past. Heading inland you’ll find mysterious glens and forests and a single mountain that are perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. The most adrenaline-fuelled activity is the Isle of Man TT, a hair-raising motorcycle race held here for well over a century.