Biarritz, located on the Basque coast of southwestern France, is a glamorous seaside city renowned for its picturesque beaches and rich history. Once a modest fishing village, Biarritz evolved into a luxurious resort destination favored by European royalty in the 19th century.

Florence is a coastal city in Oregon located where the Siuslaw River meets the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its dramatic coastal scenery, extensive sand dunes, and working waterfront.

Istanbul is a city built on layers of empire. Spanning two continents, it was once the capital of three major empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Visitors walking through the Sultanahmet district can witness this timeline firsthand, from the Roman-era Hippodrome to the Byzantine mosaics of Hagia Sophia, and the towering minarets of the Blue Mosque. At nearby Topkapi Palace, rooms still display the jeweled swords, ceremonial robes, and handwritten Qurans once used by Ottoman sultans.

Central African Republic, republic in central Africa, bordered on the north by Chad, on the east by Sudan, on the south by Zaire and the Republic of the Congo, and on the west by Cameroon. The landlocked nation has an area of 622,436 sq. km (about 240,323 sq. mi). Bangui is the capital and largest city.

Flatey is a small island in Breiðafjörður in western Iceland, known for its compact settlement, historic buildings, and quiet coastal landscape. The island is almost entirely flat, with low fields and rocky shores extending between the surrounding skerries. Its main settlement consists of a cluster of colorful wooden houses, many of which have been preserved as part of the island’s heritage.