Ascension island, British dependency of St. Helena, in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between Africa and South America and 700 miles northwest of St. Helena. The small, volcanic island was sighted by the Portuguese in 1501, but it was uninhabited until the exile of Napoleon to St. Helena in 1815.

Cape Town, located at the southern tip of South Africa, is one of the world’s most striking coastal cities. Towering over it is Table Mountain, a flat-topped landmark that can be reached by cable car or on foot, offering sweeping views of the city, ocean, and beyond.

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is one of India’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, where ancient temples stand alongside colonial-era architecture and modern skyscrapers. Originally known as Madras, the city grew around Fort St. George, built by the British East India Company in 1644. One of Chennai’s most well-known features is Marina Beach, which stretches for over 13 kilometers and is among the longest urban beaches in the world.

Natural wonders await you in the steaming, geothermally active North Island city of Rotorua, New Zealand. Pohutu Geyser erupts several times per day, and blistering mud pools provide a truly unique sightseeing experience. When in Rotorua, tourists also visit its living Maori village, as well as Te Puia (New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts institute), where weaving and woodcarving is featured.

Located midway between Chicago and Detroit, Kalamazoo is rapidly becoming an important center for business, education, culture, and many other activities.