Istanbul is a city built on layers of empire. Spanning two continents, it was once the capital of three major empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Visitors walking through the Sultanahmet district can witness this timeline firsthand, from the Roman-era Hippodrome to the Byzantine mosaics of Hagia Sophia, and the towering minarets of the Blue Mosque. At nearby Topkapi Palace, rooms still display the jeweled swords, ceremonial robes, and handwritten Qurans once used by Ottoman sultans.

Dominica, known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” is a haven for eco-tourists and adventure seekers. Nestled between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, this lush island boasts a remarkable landscape of volcanic mountains, dense rainforests, and stunning waterfalls. Dominica’s most iconic natural wonder is the Boiling Lake, the second-largest hot spring in the world.

Make friends with Rostock, one of Germany's most beautiful Hanseatic cities - where the Baltic Sea laps the shores of Mecklenburg/Western Pomerania and the air tastes slightly salty, where old-fashioned sailboats provoke nostalgic longings, and where brick gables reach into the sky.

Besides being one of the largest and most remote of the Galapagos Islands, Fernandina Island is home to the area's most active volcano. It also boasts the most pristine ecosystem; unlike other islands in the Galapagos, Fernandina has thus far avoided the introduction of any non-native mammal species.

Topeka is the capital of Kansas, located along the Kansas River in the northeastern part of the state. The city developed near the meeting point of river transportation, agriculture, and overland travel, and it remains an important center for state government and regional commerce. The Kansas State Capitol stands at the heart of the city, while the surrounding area includes historic neighborhoods, museums, parks, and cultural institutions.