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.

Coron is a coastal town in northern Palawan, part of the Calamian Islands, where steep limestone formations rise above clear bays, lagoons, and sheltered coves. The town sits on Busuanga Island and serves as a gateway to the surrounding islands and marine areas. Coron is particularly known for its combination of inland lakes and underwater landscapes, giving the destination a character that extends well beyond its beaches.

On the north-western coast of Sal Island in Cape Verde sits Palmeira, an authentic fishing settlement where day-to-day life still revolves around the sea. The village’s seaside restaurants serve grilled tuna, octopus, and flying fish fresh from the day’s catch. Just a short trip from the centre lies Buracona, a natural lava rock pool famous for the “Blue Eye,” a glowing underwater cave that shines when the sunlight hits at just the right angle.

Guaymas lies along the Gulf of California in the Mexican state of Sonora, shaped by its role as a working port rather than a resort city.

Elvas rises from the Alentejo plains near the Spanish border as one of Portugal’s most striking fortified towns, shaped by centuries of defense, resilience, and daily life along the frontier. Encircled by an immense network of walls, bastions, and hilltop forts, the town tells a clear story of strategy and survival, from the sweeping views at Forte da Graça to the quiet streets within the historic center.