Santa Maria is the main coastal town on Sal, one of Cabo Verde’s eastern islands, and is closely connected with the island’s fishing and salt-producing heritage. The town developed beside a long sandy beach on the southern coast, with low buildings, narrow streets, small shops, restaurants, and a busy waterfront forming its center.

Zihuatanejo, a charming coastal town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, invites travelers with its blend of serene beaches and vibrant local culture. Nestled on the Bay of Zihuatanejo, the town offers a picturesque escape with its stunning shoreline, where the gentle waves lap against golden sands. The tranquil atmosphere of Playa La Ropa, one of the town’s most renowned beaches, is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and savoring fresh seafood from beachfront restaurants.

Varanasi sits along the sacred Ganges River in northern India as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It is a place where daily life and rituals flow together on the long stone steps called ghats that reach down to the water. Visitors often rise early for a sunrise boat ride, watching as light spreads across the river and pilgrims make gentle offerings to the water.

France’s Conflans-Sainte-Honorine sits quietly at the meeting point of the Seine and Oise rivers.

Cape Perpetua is a rugged headland on the central Oregon Coast, rising above the Pacific Ocean south of Yachats. The area is part of the Siuslaw National Forest and combines dense coastal forest with steep cliffs, rocky beaches, tide pools, and open ocean views.