La Rochelle sits on France’s Atlantic coast, shaped by centuries of maritime trade, independence, and outward-looking ambition.

Borjomi sits high in the center of Georgia, in a long valley along the Borjomula River surrounded by forested mountains. For centuries its mineral springs have drawn people to the region, but it wasn’t until the 1800s that the water became known to the wider world when Russian officers stationed here shared its crisp, naturally fizzy taste and believed health-boosting properties with visitors.

Kasane sits at Botswana’s northeastern edge, where the Chobe River meets the borders of Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its development is closely tied to river transport, regional trade, and wildlife management.

Behold beautiful Lucerne! This German-speaking area of central Switzerland on Lake Lucerne is a truly spectacular locale. Surrounded by mountains and notable for its famous Chapel Bridge, this idyllic and musical Swiss locale is wonderful any time of year.

Lucca, a Tuscan city surrounded by remarkably intact Renaissance walls, offers more than just postcard views. Known for its quiet streets and grand piazzas, Lucca stands apart with its circular street layout, still following the lines of a Roman amphitheater from centuries ago. The walls, now repurposed as a 4-kilometer tree-lined park, are a favorite route for locals and visitors who explore them on foot or by bike, passing old bastions and panoramic viewpoints along the way.