Oregon invites travelers to experience landscapes and stories that shift dramatically from one region to the next. In the south, Crater Lake National Park holds the title of deepest lake in the U.S., formed inside the remains of an ancient volcano. With its intense blue color and dramatic cliffs, the lake draws visitors year-round for hiking, snowshoeing, or simply standing in awe.

Augsburg was founded in 15 BC under the rule of the Roman emperor Augustus. For 400 years the city was the seat of a provincial government of the Roman empire. Its ideal location made it a crossroad of all important routes to the south. An advantage from which the powerful merchants and bankers, the Fugger family and the seafaring Welsers, likewise profited. They elevated Augsburg to rank among the world's most powerful cities. Kings and emperors were frequent guests here.

The Atacama Desert in Chile, the driest non-polar desert on Earth, is a place of extraordinary beauty and otherworldly landscapes. Stretching over 600 miles along the Pacific coast, the Atacama's stark, lunar-like terrain is punctuated by salt flats, active geysers, and rugged canyons. One of the most striking sights is the Valle de la Luna, or Valley of the Moon, where wind-sculpted sand dunes and jagged rock formations create a surreal environment that appears as if it's straight from another

One of the major rivers of the Iberian Peninsula, the Douro in north-central Spain and Portugal just might be the world's most beautiful wine region. Most of the river on the Spanish side isn't navigable, so river cruises generally travel roundtrip from Porto, on the coast of the Atlantic.

Lincoln, Nebraska, blends college-town spirit with prairie roots, offering a travel experience that’s both laid-back and surprising. As the state capital, Lincoln is home to the stunning Nebraska State Capitol building, an architectural landmark with a 400-foot tower topped by a bronze sower casting seeds over the land. Visitors can tour the building and ride to the 14th floor observation deck for sweeping views of the city and surrounding plains.