Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the U.S., but it offers an outsized variety of experiences, from colonial history to coastline escapes. Founded in 1636 by Roger Williams as a haven for religious freedom, the state still reflects its independent spirit. In Providence, travelers can visit the John Brown House Museum to explore the city’s role in early American commerce, or walk Benefit Street, lined with preserved 18th- and 19th-century homes.

Greece is a country where layers of history sit side by side with everyday life. In Athens, visitors can stand at the foot of the Acropolis and look up at the Parthenon, built more than 2,400 years ago, then walk a few blocks to modern cafes buzzing with conversation and music. The city’s neighborhoods, like Plaka and Monastiraki, offer both ancient ruins and small family-run shops selling handmade sandals and olive oil soap.

Cairns is the majestic entrance to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. This warm, tropical destination is located in Far North Queensland. Must-see attractions in Cairns include the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, which educates tourists about indigenous peoples, and restaurant and bar-dotted Cairns Esplanade, which has a lagoon for swimming.

Sceilg Mhichíl, also known as Skellig Michael, is a steep rocky island in the Atlantic Ocean off the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. Rising sharply from the sea, the island is dominated by rugged peaks, exposed cliffs, and narrow terraces. Its remote position helped preserve an early Christian monastic settlement that occupies a high ridge above the landing points.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area lies about 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, where the Mojave Desert rises into sandstone cliffs, rugged mountains, and broad desert valleys. Nevada’s first National Conservation Area, it covers nearly 198,000 acres and provides a sharp contrast to the developed landscape of Las Vegas. The area is best known for its red and cream-colored rock formations, especially the Calico Hills and the Red Rock escarpment.