Margarita Island, known locally as Isla de Margarita, sits just off Venezuela’s northeastern coast in the warm Caribbean Sea. The island's famous beaches span from quiet coves to wide-open shorelines. Playa El Agua stretches for over two miles with swaying palms and lively beachfront restaurants serving fresh snapper, tostones, and cold Polar beer. For those seeking less crowded sands, Playa Zaragoza offers calm waters and a glimpse of everyday coastal life.

Santander, the capital of Spain’s Cantabria region, sits along the Bay of Biscay and offers travelers a mix of coastline, culture, and history shaped by centuries of maritime life. Once a bustling port for Castilian exports, Santander saw its golden age in the 19th century when Spanish royalty turned it into a summer retreat. The legacy of that era remains visible at the Palacio de la Magdalena, perched on a peninsula with views of the sea and home to royal stables, a mini zoo, and guided tours.

Bogotá, the vibrant capital of Colombia, sits high in the Andes at 2,640 meters above sea level. The city balances historic charm with modern energy, where cobblestone streets meet bold street art and colonial churches stand beside sleek galleries and cafes. At the heart of it all is La Candelaria, Bogotá’s oldest neighborhood, where travelers can visit centuries-old buildings, including the neoclassical Capitol and the richly decorated Gold Museum.

Catania, nestled on the eastern coast of Sicily, is a city shaped by fire and stone. Built from the black lava of Mount Etna, it’s a landscape filled with energy and contrasts from its Baroque palaces to its open air fish markets. At the heart of the city stands the Piazza del Duomo, where the iconic Fontana dell’Elefante, which is carved from volcanic rock, greets every visitor who passes by.

This is a wild and beautiful area unlike anywhere else in the world. Torres del Paine lies between the central spine of the Andes, nearly buried under a massive ice cap and the steppes of Southern Patagonia.