Picton, located at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound in New Zealand’s Marlborough region, is a charming gateway to the Marlborough Sounds and the South Island. The town is known for its scenic harbor, where ferries connect the North and South Islands, and as a hub for exploring the intricate waterways, bays, and coves that define this coastal region.

Reno, Nevada is known as “The Biggest Little City in the World” and has evolved well beyond its casino roots. Today, it’s a city where vintage neon signs share the skyline with vibrant murals and historic train depots sit beside riverside coffee shops. The Truckee River runs through downtown, anchoring the city with a scenic Riverwalk lined with public art, restaurants, and the sounds of rushing water.

Port Angeles is a coastal city on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, positioned along the Strait of Juan de Fuca with views toward Vancouver Island and the mountains of Olympic National Park. The city serves as an important gateway to the Olympic Peninsula, combining a working waterfront with a compact downtown, marinas, parks, and nearby forested landscapes.

Mauritania, stretching between the Atlantic Ocean and the Sahara Desert, offers travelers a journey through wide-open landscapes and centuries of history. Its terrain is marked by shifting sand dunes, ancient caravan towns, and stretches of untouched coastline.

Tamraght is a small coastal village in Morocco’s Souss-Massa region, located between Agadir and Taghazout above the Atlantic Ocean. The village sits on a hillside overlooking a coastline known for sandy beaches, rocky headlands, and reliable surf. Its setting also includes green banana plantations and argan trees around the nearby valleys, creating a noticeable contrast with the dry hills farther inland.