Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is one of Africa’s most vibrant and unpredictable cities. Sprawling along the banks of the Congo River, it’s the third-largest city on the continent and pulses with music, art, and personality at every turn. Across the river lies Brazzaville, making Kinshasa part of the only pair of national capitals facing each other across a single waterway.

Lukla, a mountain town perched at 2,860 meters in eastern Nepal, is best known as the gateway to the Everest region. The town is home to Tenzing-Hillary Airport, one of the world’s most thrilling landing strips, named after the legendary climbers who first reached Everest’s summit in 1953. The short, sloped runway hugs the mountain, offering a once-in-a-lifetime arrival that travelers remember long after their journey ends.

Mauritius, a jewel in the Indian Ocean, is known for its turquoise lagoons and coral reefs. The island is a haven for relaxation and adventure.

A tributary of the Rhine, the Moselle River flows through France, Luxembourg and Germany. The Moselle also lends its name to a region of France, a valley which it bisects, and a wine produced along its banks.

The Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, located on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor, Egypt, are two of the world’s most significant archaeological sites. For over 500 years during the New Kingdom (16th–11th centuries BCE), these valleys served as the burial grounds for pharaohs, queens, and high-ranking nobles.