Kirkwall, the vibrant capital of the Orkney Islands, Scotland, is a place where history and culture intertwine with stunning natural landscapes. Founded by Norse settlers over a thousand years ago, Kirkwall is steeped in Viking heritage, with its centerpiece, the magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral, standing as a testament to the town’s medieval past.

Bar Harbor should be any traveler's Maine priority! Drink in a view of the Atlantic Ocean from the town pier, and be sure to get some lobster at one of the excellent local restaurants. Bar Harbor, a Mount Desert Island town, is also the portal to the rugged, recreational paradise Acadia National Park, where birding, whale-watching and kayaking is the order of the day. The park's Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on America's East Coast.

Sequoia National Park, located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, is a natural wonderland famous for its giant sequoia trees, including the world-renowned General Sherman Tree. Standing at an astonishing 275 feet tall, the General Sherman is the largest tree on Earth by volume and a must-see for visitors.

Only six and a half hours by jet from New York, Morocco nevertheless seems worlds and worlds away. Even the Moroccans think of their country, which lies on Africa's broad western shoulder, as a place apart: They refer to it as El Maghreb al Aqsa, the Farthest West, as indeed it is, of all the countries making up the Arab world.

This New England state is home to sandy beaches, Colonial villages, and Brown University, located in the city of Providence. Tourists to "The Ocean State" enjoy its abundant coastline, seafood, and pedestrian-friendly cities.