Who would have thought, back in the tumultuous coup and counter coup days of the 1970s, that Burkina Faso would become the cultural darling of West Africa? Unlikely as it seems, Burkina Faso has become the Utah of West Africa, hosting a biennial film festival that rivals the Sundance Film Festival for cultural clout. When it's not hosting film festivals, it's busy organizing its other biennial cultural festival.

Abilene is no-nonsense and traditional, but it's just as capable of having a good time as any rip-roaring cowpoke. When you're in Abilene, take time to see the Abilene Zoo, particularly the Texas Plains exhibit, a unique collection of species native to that part of the country (if you've never seen a javelina, here's your chance).

The Sacred Valley, located in the Andes and divided by Urubamba River, was part of the larger Inca Empire, along with Machu Picchu and the closeby town of Cusco. Tourists will see green agricultural landscapes and Spanish hamlets like Ollantaytambo and Pisac, the latter featuring a Sunday market.

Turkistan is a historic city in southern Kazakhstan and an important center of Islamic culture in Central Asia. Located in the Turkistan Region, the city developed around an oasis landscape between the Syr Darya River and the Karatau Mountains. Its best-known landmark is the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a monumental Timurid-era building and UNESCO World Heritage site.

Canada spans an immense and diverse landscape, offering experiences that range from cosmopolitan city life to some of the most pristine wilderness on Earth.