In ancient times, Kaanapali was a royal retreat for the rulers of Maui, who delighted in the perfect three-mile stretch of white sand beach, the gentle waves, warm sunny days and the majestic West Maui Mountains. Maui royalty surfed, raced their outrigger canoes, feasted at luaus that lasted for weeks, and where the Kaanapali Golf Course now blankets the land, they played ulu maika, a form of lawn bowling with heavy lava balls.

Sognefjord, often called the “King of the Fjords,” is the longest and deepest fjord in Norway, stretching more than 200 kilometers inland from the North Sea. Towering cliffs rise dramatically on both sides of the water, some reaching over 1,000 meters high. Its size alone makes it a natural wonder, but what truly sets it apart is how the landscape changes along its length from wide, tranquil stretches to narrow passages where waterfalls plunge down sheer rock walls.

El Calafate, a small town in southern Patagonia, serves as the main gateway to one of Argentina’s most spectacular natural wonders, the Los Glaciares National Park. Sitting on the shores of Lake Argentino, El Calafate was once a quiet outpost known mainly for sheep farming and the hardy calafate berry. Today, it attracts travelers from around the world who come to witness massive ice formations and the shifting blue walls of nearby glaciers.

Greece is a country where layers of history sit side by side with everyday life. In Athens, visitors can stand at the foot of the Acropolis and look up at the Parthenon, built more than 2,400 years ago, then walk a few blocks to modern cafes buzzing with conversation and music. The city’s neighborhoods, like Plaka and Monastiraki, offer both ancient ruins and small family-run shops selling handmade sandals and olive oil soap.

Klaipeda, Lithuania’s only port city, is a place where history, nature, and the sea come together. Located on the coast of the Baltic Sea, this charming city has a unique old town filled with cobblestone streets.