Spain’s Santiago de Compostela is more than just a final stop on a famous pilgrimage route, it’s a city steeped in centuries of spiritual significance, architectural grandeur, and lively Galician culture.

Negombo, located just north of Colombo and minutes from Sri Lanka’s main international airport, offers a coastal town experience steeped in layered history and local life. Once a vital trading post for cinnamon during the colonial era, Negombo has seen Portuguese, Dutch, and British influence with each leaving a mark on its architecture and culture. The Dutch-era canal system, still used by fishermen and local vendors today, runs through parts of the town and can be explored by boat or bicycle.

Nestled high in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, Andorra is a hidden gem that beckons nature lovers, adventure seekers, and history enthusiasts alike. This tiny principality, known for its dramatic mountainous landscapes, offers world-class skiing at resorts like Grandvalira and Vallnord, making it a winter sports haven. In the warmer months, hiking trails open up, providing access to pristine valleys, glacial lakes, and panoramic vistas that seem to stretch forever.

In the heart of South America, Ecuador offers a compact yet astonishingly diverse experience for travelers. From the cobbled streets of Quito’s historic center to the vibrant Afro-Ecuadorian rhythms of Esmeraldas, the country pulses with stories waiting to be discovered. Just a short drive away, visitors can stand on the equator line at the “Mitad del Mundo” and participate in engaging experiments that demonstrate the planet’s gravitational quirks.

In the southern deserts of Peru, Nazca invites visitors to look beyond the horizon. This small city is world-famous for the mysterious Nazca Lines, enormous geoglyphs etched into the desert floor more than 1,500 years ago. From the air, shapes like hummingbirds, monkeys, and even a stylized astronaut come into view, some stretching over 300 meters. Their exact purpose remains a mystery, fueling decades of theories.