Lucca, a Tuscan city surrounded by remarkably intact Renaissance walls, offers more than just postcard views. Known for its quiet streets and grand piazzas, Lucca stands apart with its circular street layout, still following the lines of a Roman amphitheater from centuries ago. The walls, now repurposed as a 4-kilometer tree-lined park, are a favorite route for locals and visitors who explore them on foot or by bike, passing old bastions and panoramic viewpoints along the way.

Tokushima is the capital of Tokushima Prefecture on the eastern side of Shikoku, where several rivers meet the sea and mountains rise beyond the urban area. The city is closely identified with Awa Odori, a traditional dance that fills streets with performers and musicians during its annual festival. Tokushima also serves as a useful base for exploring the wider prefecture, including the Naruto Strait, the Iya Valley, and sections of the Shikoku pilgrimage.

New Zealand is a land of breathtaking landscapes and memorable cultural experiences. Located in the South Pacific, this island nation is famed for its dramatic mountain ranges, pristine beaches, and rolling farmlands. With its beauty, welcoming culture, and endless opportunities for adventure, New Zealand is sure to captivate travelers from around the globe.

Yangshuo lies along the Li River in southern China’s Guangxi region, long known for landscapes that have shaped Chinese art and poetry for centuries.

France’s Conflans-Sainte-Honorine sits quietly at the meeting point of the Seine and Oise rivers.