Tayrona National Natural Park, located on Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast, is where the Sierra Nevada mountains plunge into the sea, creating a landscape of wild beaches, dense rainforest, and ancient archaeological sites. Just an hour from Santa Marta, this protected area stretches over 150 square kilometers of land and marine territory. Its coastline is dotted with hidden coves, palm-fringed bays, and massive boulders sculpted by wind and time.

Barranquilla sits near the mouth of the Magdalena River on Columbia's Caribbean side. It is a major seaport and a center of commerce, but everyone breaks loose for four days in February for one of the liveliest carnivals outside of Rio.

Cienfuegos, capital of Cienfuegos Province, is a city on the southern coast of Cuba. It is located about 160 miles from Havana and has a population of 150,000. The city is dubbed La Perla del Sur (Pearl of the South). Cienfuegos literally translates to "one hundred fires"—cien meaning "one hundred", fuegos meaning "fires".

Seven miles outside of historic Athens, the Greek coastal city of Piraeus lies upon the sparkling waters of the Aegean Sea and is the largest passenger port in Europe, servicing nearly 20 million passengers per year.

Kansas City, Kansas offers more than meets the eye. Located at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, this city blends its industrial roots with surprising pockets of creativity, flavor, and local pride. Food plays a big role in the city’s identity, and no trip is complete without sampling its barbecue. While its Missouri neighbor may get more attention, Kansas City holds its own with iconic joints like Slap’s BBQ, a local favorite known for brisket that draws lines out the door.