The Whitsunday Islands sit in the heart of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, where more than 70 islands rise from wide blue seas and offer an invitation to explore. Whitsunday Island itself is the largest of this group, known internationally for its ribbon of white silica sand stretching over seven kilometers at Whitehaven Beach. This sand feels cool underfoot even in warm sunshine because it’s made of nearly pure silica carried there by ancient ocean currents.

San Ignacio sits in western Belize’s Cayo District on the banks of the Macal and Mopan Rivers, where the town and its sister settlement of Santa Elena are linked by Belize’s lone suspension bridge. Its location also makes San Ignacio a gateway to both inland Belize and the nearby Guatemalan border, making it easy for curious travelers to explore beyond town limits.

Jeddah sits along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast and has long served as a gateway between the Arabian Peninsula and the wider world. For centuries, merchants, pilgrims, and travelers passed through its port on the way to Mecca, shaping a city known for openness and exchange.

Mahón, the capital of Menorca, one of the Balearic Islands in Spain, is a charming and historic city that offers a blend of Mediterranean beauty, rich culture, and vibrant history. Located on the eastern coast of the island, Mahón boasts a picturesque harbor, which is one of the largest natural harbors in the world.

Basel is the global center of the pharmaceutical industry, but most travelers visit for the world-famous ART Basel festival, as well as the numerous art galleries, iconic architecture and museums.