Rijeka sits at the head of Kvarner Bay on Croatia’s northern Adriatic, shaped by its long role as a port city at the crossroads of empires.

Braga, one of Portugal’s oldest and most vibrant cities, blends deep religious heritage with a youthful, energetic spirit. Founded over two millennia ago by the Romans as Bracara Augusta, the city has long been a center of faith and culture, earning it the nickname “the Rome of Portugal.”

El Cuco is a small coastal community in the department of San Miguel, on El Salvador's eastern Pacific coast. It is known for its long sandy beach, volcanic black sand, warm waters, and setting between the Pacific Ocean and the forested foothills of the Sierra Tecapa-Chinameca range. The area is less urbanized than the country's larger coastal centers, with small hotels, restaurants, guesthouses, and fishing businesses spread around the shoreline.

A former trading port and now a fascinating itinerary stop for any Vietnam traveler, Hoi An's illuminated lanterns beckon you. Each lunar month on the 14th day, electric lights are turned off in favor of traditional lanterns. Must-sees in this well-preserved locale include Quan Cong Temple, the 1700s-era Japanese Covered Bridge, An Bang Beach with its white sands, and Hoi An Night Market, abuzz with local sellers offering food and unique wares.

Lifou Island, the most populous of the Loyalty Islands in New Caledonia, is a flat, former coral atoll with abundant vegetation and surrounded by secluded coral reefs which many say offer some of the best snorkeling in the world.