Turkmenistan is a land of striking contrasts, where vast deserts meet ancient Silk Road history. The country is dominated by the Karakum Desert, an expanse of sand and scrub that covers most of its territory, yet it is also home to oases where cities flourished as trading posts for caravans journeying between Persia, China, and beyond.

Located approximately 50 miles west of Chester, along the northern Welsh coast, is the beautiful small town of Conwy. In 1283, King Edward I set out to build a series of magnificent castles, of which Conwy was one of the largest. In addition, the town was fortified with walls which still exist today, making this one of the finest surviving fortified medieval towns in the world.

Perched at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, Gibraltar is a captivating destination where British and Mediterranean influences seamlessly blend. Dominated by the iconic Rock of Gibraltar, this British Overseas Territory is a haven for travelers seeking both adventure and history. The Rock itself is a limestone monolith that stands 426 meters high and offers breathtaking views over the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Belgium may be compact, but it offers a surprising variety of experiences shaped by centuries of shifting borders, artistic innovation, and culinary tradition. In Brussels, the Grand Place sets the stage for history and architecture in one square lined with ornate guild halls. The city is also home to the European Union’s headquarters, surrealist painter René Magritte’s former house, and a lively comic book trail that winds through murals of Tintin and other Belgian icons.

Canterbury is a large region on New Zealand’s South Island, stretching from the Pacific coast across the broad Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps. Its landscape changes from farmland and vineyards to high mountains, glacial lakes, braided rivers, and rugged coastline. Christchurch, the region’s main city, provides a cultural and urban centre with the Botanic Gardens, Avon River, museums, galleries, and distinctive post-earthquake architecture.