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The city of Savannah, Georgia is one of the jewels of the south, offering visitors a perfect combination of great food, friendly people, and a deep sense of history. Since tasty vittles and warm smiles are pretty much unavoidable down here, we'll just concern ourselves with the history for now with a visit to target="_blank">Old Fort Jackson, which has been a part of Savannah for two centuries and counting. This National Historic Landmark on the south bank of the Savannah River is one of just eight remaining "Second System" fortifications that were built prior to the War of 1812. The target="_blank">brick fortress was named after Revolutionary War Officer and Georgia Governor James Jackson, and it features old casements and displays of muskets and ammunition from two wars. Fans of early watercraft will get a kick out of the wreck of the Civil War ironclad target="_blank">CSS Georgia, which served as a floating battery until it was scuttled in 1864. And when it comes to antique cannons, it's hard to top the fort's collection, which includes the largest black powder cannon that is still fired to this day. Daily cannon-firing demonstrations and salutes to passing military ships make Old Fort Jackson a dynamic part of southern history. Starwood has three properties in Savannah, including the target="_blank">Four Points by Sheraton Historic Savannah.

[image via target="_blank">Coastal Heritage Society]

Fans of art and architecture who find themselves in the Brazilian city of Curitiba should be sure to set aside a few hours to visit the Oscar Niemeyer Museum. One of the most bizarrely beautiful buildings in the world, it was opened in 2003 to critical acclaim from art and architecture critics alike. Today, thousands of visitors come every year to gaze at the museum's unusual lenticular eye tower, ribbons of walkways, and lofty gallery space, which houses a spectacular collection of art and design. Classic works by artists from Japan, Germany, and Holland share space with the finest in South American avant-garde, juxtaposing time periods and styles to dramatic effect. When you're done taking in the masterpieces on the inside of the museum, spend a few minutes strolling through the Burle Marx-designed gardens that surround it, where lush greenery, scenic walkways, and serene water features help provide a natural context for art that both challenges and inspires. The museum is just minutes from the Four Points by Sheraton Curitiba.

Tianjin is the third largest city in China, with a population that's at once technologically savvy and respectful of the ancient traditions. And while it has its share of museums and historical attractions, one of the best places to experience Chinese history is at the Tianjin Antique Market (Guwan Shichang). Located along the Shenyang Jie, the market is crowded with hundreds of vendors selling everything from silk and ceramic to original artwork and home furnishings. It's an excellent place to get a bargain on a tea set or jade necklace, but if you're in the market for something a bit more unusual, such as Mao memorabilia, you're in luck. Guwan Shichang vendors have everything from Mao paintings and statues to fans, buttons, and even Mao lighters. As in many Chinese markets, negotiations are expected, so don't hesitate to counter the seller's first offer with a much lower number. After all, you've got a lot of souvenir shopping ahead of you. Starwood currently has one property in Tianjin, the Sheraton Tianjin Hotel, and three more are slated to open in the next two years: the Four Points by Sheraton Tianjin, Zhongshan, the Westin Tianjin, and the St. Regis Tianjin.

Santiago is very much a Latin American city, with a style that reflects the best of Chilean culture, but you'll find plenty of European influences if you know where to look. The Palacio Cousiño, for example, is like a little part of France transplanted into the Chilean mountains. The wealthy Cousiño Goyenechea family - whose holdings included coal mines, silver mines, and a vineyard - built this opulent mansion between 1870 and 1878 and promptly filled it with the finest art and furnishings money could buy, including silk, velvet, porcelain, and hardwood, having it all shipped over from France at great expense. The family relinquished control of the house in 1940, and for the next several decades it served as a residence for visiting dignitaries and heads of state. Today, however, you no longer need to wear a crown to have a tour of the Palacio Cousiño. The general public is welcome to drop by and admire the original piano in the music room, the instruments of war in the weapons room, and, of course, the many fascinating paintings in the portrait gallery. You'll be transported to late-19th-century Paris in no time. Starwood has three hotels in Santiago, the Sheraton Santiago Hotel and Convention Center, the Four Points by Sheraton Santiago, and the San Cristobal Tower (a member of Starwood's Luxury Collection). The brand-new W Santiago will open its doors November 1, 2008.