Manama pulses with stories from long ago and today. Just beyond the modern skyline lies Qal’at al‑Bahrain, a layered mound once the capital of Dilmun, used by societies from the Kassites to the Portuguese. Visitors can climb its crumbling stairways and imagine life across centuries there. Nearby, the Bahrain National Museum, opened in 1988 in a stately waterside building, displays archaeological finds from ancient Dilmun to modern-day artifacts and is one of the Gulf's first modern museums.

Fanning Island, also known as Tabuaeran, is one of the Line Islands in the Republic of Kiribati. Sitting just four degrees north of the equator, this remote atoll is a rare find for travelers seeking raw, untouched Pacific beauty. With no large hotels or chain resorts, visitors often arrive by cruise or private yacht and are welcomed with coconut-leaf garlands and traditional songs.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, in western Uganda, is one of East Africa’s most diverse and scenic protected areas. Stretching from the Rwenzori Mountains to the shores of Lake Edward, the park encompasses savannah, wetlands, and dense forests, making it a sanctuary for an incredible array of wildlife.

Fort James Beach, just outside St. John’s in Antigua, is a long stretch of soft white sand framed by calm, turquoise waters. The beach takes its name from nearby Fort James, a historic 18th-century British stronghold built to guard the harbor.

Tirana, the lively capital of Albania, is a city that blends historical charm with modern vibrancy. At the heart of its transformation is Skanderbeg Square, a bustling hub named after the national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg.