Vienna has a long memory. Once the capital of the Habsburg Empire, the city still carries signs of its imperial past in its palaces, concert halls, and wide boulevards. Visitors can walk through the Hofburg complex, where emperors once ruled, or tour the opulent rooms of Schönbrunn Palace, which features 1,441 rooms and a maze in its gardens. But Vienna’s many historic buildings now house contemporary art museums, cafés, and institutions that reflect the city’s modern identity.

A lesser-known river port in the Mekong Delta, Sa Dec was once the capital of Dong Thap province of southern Vietnam. Today, it is best known for its flower gardens and authentic bustling market. The city is also famous as the setting for French writer Marguerite Duras' 1984 novel, The Lover, and its 1991 film adaptation of the same name.

Blair Atholl, a village in the heart of Highland Perthshire, Scotland, is best known as the home of Blair Castle, a striking white-walled fortress that has stood for over seven centuries.

The former Netherlands Antilles was a group of Caribbean islands once unified under Dutch administration, dissolved as a political entity in 2010.

The largest town in South Greenland, Qaqortoq is known for its colorful houses and vibrant art scene.