Yala National Park sprawls across Sri Lanka’s southeast, where dry plains meet lagoons and the Indian Ocean’s shoreline. It is one of the country’s oldest protected areas, first set aside as a wildlife reserve in 1900 and later declared a national park in 1938, and today invites travelers to see life thrive in a wide range of landscapes, from scrubland to sandy beaches.

Poland offers a layered and often surprising experience shaped by centuries of resilience and creativity. From the cobbled lanes of Kraków’s Old Town to the post-industrial art scenes in Łódź, the country moves comfortably between tradition and reinvention.

Phillip Island, a serene escape located just 90 minutes from Melbourne, Australia, is a natural wonderland that entices visitors with its stunning coastal landscapes and unique wildlife experiences. The island is most famous for its Penguin Parade, where every evening at sunset, hundreds of little penguins—the smallest penguin species in the world—waddle ashore to their burrows on Summerland Beach.

Malibu is a coastal city in Southern California, stretching along the Pacific Ocean west of Los Angeles. The community is set between the Santa Monica Mountains and a long, irregular coastline of sandy beaches, rocky coves, sea cliffs, and offshore waters. Much of Malibu remains relatively low-density, with homes and roads following the narrow coastal strip between the mountains and ocean.

Abilene is no-nonsense and traditional, but it's just as capable of having a good time as any rip-roaring cowpoke. When you're in Abilene, take time to see the Abilene Zoo, particularly the Texas Plains exhibit, a unique collection of species native to that part of the country (if you've never seen a javelina, here's your chance).