Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is a city where tradition and modern life intertwine. Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, it serves as the country’s cultural, political, and economic hub. The city’s skyline features a mix of Soviet-era architecture, Buddhist monasteries, and contemporary high-rises.

Leros Island, Greece, rests quietly in the Aegean Sea, offering a combination of sun-drenched beaches and historical landmarks that invite exploration. The main town, Agia Marina, spreads along a natural harbor, where fishing boats and small yachts sway gently against the backdrop of colorful houses climbing the hillside. Winding streets reveal a mix of architecture, from traditional whitewashed homes to neoclassical buildings.

Gaspé sits at the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula in Québec, where the St. Lawrence River opens into the Gulf and the land feels distinctly maritime.

Lagos sits on the southern edge of Portugal’s Algarve where a lively old port town meets wide Atlantic skies. Just a short stroll from the heart of town, the coast drops away into a spectacle at Ponta da Piedade, where golden sandstone cliffs rise out of the Atlantic and have been shaped into stacks, natural arches and grottoes over millennia. At the top, the Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse watches over this dramatic shoreline and offers a great backdrop for photos as the sun sets into the ocean.

Piombino is a coastal city on a promontory in southern Tuscany, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. Its position on the Etruscan Coast has shaped both its history and its modern identity, with a working port, maritime traditions, and access to beaches and protected coastal areas. The historic center occupies the older part of the promontory, where medieval and Renaissance buildings stand within sections of the former defensive walls.