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.

Korčula, a jewel in Croatia's Adriatic Sea, invites visitors to immerse themselves in its rich history and stunning natural beauty. Often referred to as "Little Dubrovnik," the city boasts well-preserved medieval architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and a fortified old town encircled by ancient walls.

Paro, Bhutan, is a serene valley town that offers a gateway to the mystical charm of the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Nestled amidst verdant hills and bisected by the glistening Paro Chhu river, Paro is home to some of Bhutan’s most iconic landmarks and cultural treasures. At the heart of this picturesque valley stands the majestic Paro Dzong, or Rinpung Dzong, a fortress-monastery with a history dating back to the 17th century.

Sierra Leone, on the coast of West Africa, is a country of striking contrasts, where white-sand beaches meet green mountains and vibrant cities. Its Atlantic shoreline stretches for miles, offering quiet escapes as well as lively coastal communities.

Who would have thought, back in the tumultuous coup and counter coup days of the 1970s, that Burkina Faso would become the cultural darling of West Africa? Unlikely as it seems, Burkina Faso has become the Utah of West Africa, hosting a biennial film festival that rivals the Sundance Film Festival for cultural clout. When it's not hosting film festivals, it's busy organizing its other biennial cultural festival.