Las Palmas (officially Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) is the capital of Gran Canaria island as well as co-capital (along with Santa Cruz de Tenerife) of the Canary Islands. It is a major cruise-ship port known for duty-free shopping and sandy beaches, including Playa de Las Canteras, considered by many to be one of the best urban beaches worldwide.

Cuernavaca, often called the “City of Eternal Spring,” has long been a retreat for those seeking warm weather and relaxing surroundings just 90 minutes from Mexico City. With a history that stretches back to the Aztec empire, the city is layered with centuries of cultural change. The historic center of Cuernavaca combines architecture from multiple eras, with narrow streets leading to quiet plazas and colonial churches.

The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa, offer far more than just sunshine and beaches. Made up of eight main islands, each with its own personality, the Canaries are a place where lunar landscapes, cloud forests, volcanic peaks, and historic towns coexist within short travel distances. On Tenerife, Mount Teide looms over a landscape of solidified lava and craters that look like a science fiction set.

Mauritania, stretching between the Atlantic Ocean and the Sahara Desert, offers travelers a journey through wide-open landscapes and centuries of history. Its terrain is marked by shifting sand dunes, ancient caravan towns, and stretches of untouched coastline.

Benguerra Island, part of Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago, is a tropical paradise known for its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and rich marine life.