El Salvador's capital and largest city lies in a valley at the foot of the large San Salvador volcano. Shanty towns abound and the streets are lined with people selling everything.

Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, is a city that blends modern energy with deep cultural roots. Set among rolling hills, it offers striking views at nearly every turn.

Papua New Guinea is a land of surprises, where misty highlands give way to tropical coasts and vibrant festivals stir every sense. In the Highlands, the air carries the echoes of ceremonial drums and elaborate sing‑sings like the famed Goroka Show, where over 100 tribes gather in September to perform dances adorned with feathered headdresses, body paint, and the haunting clay masks of the Asaro Mudmen.

Coursing through 10 countries, the Danube is the second-longest river in Europe. This waterway, lined with fortresses and castles, rises in Germany's Black Forest and runs for 1,770 miles to the Black Sea. The Danube is an essential commercial thoroughfare for central and southeastern Europe, and several river cruise companies sail vessels on it year-round. Destinations along this river include Vienna, Budapest, Passau and Bratislava.

Guayaquil, Ecuador, is a vibrant port city and a frequent starting point for cruises to the Galapagos Islands.