Orvieto, perched atop a volcanic tuff cliff in Umbria, Italy, is a town that effortlessly combines history, art, and striking landscapes. Its dramatic position overlooking the surrounding countryside immediately captures attention.

Theth is a mountain village in northern Albania, set within the rugged Albanian Alps and surrounded by steep limestone peaks, wooded slopes, and narrow valleys. The settlement lies inside Theth National Park, where traditional stone houses and small farms are scattered along the valley floor. Theth is known for its dramatic mountain scenery and its role as a starting point for hiking routes through the Accursed Mountains.

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.

This vibrant, diverse British Columbia seaport is one of the jewels of Canada. Surrounded by ocean and mountains alike, Vancouver offers breathtaking vistas, not to mention world-class outdoor activities, culinary delights, fine art, and cultural events.

Chios lies in the northeastern Aegean, close enough to the Turkish coast that the mainland feels present in daily life.