Central Asia stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to China and Mongolia in the east, and from Afghanistan and Iran in the south to Russia in the north, including the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Located on the coast of Queensland, Australia, Airlie Beach is a favorite stop for cruises along the Great Barrier Reef. This coastal paradise offers spectacular beaches and easy access to the Whitsunday Islands, Conway National Park, and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef.

Krakow is a diverse and culturally rich city. Once thought of as cold and desolate, today's visitors know an entirely different place.

Jodhpur, often called the "Blue City" of India, is located on the edge of the Thar Desert in the state of Rajasthan. The city is famous for the blue-painted houses in its old quarter, which create a striking contrast against the golden hue of the desert landscape.

On coastal Iceland, the globe's northernmost capital, Reykjavík, invites visitors to discover its unique charms. Iceland is rife with natural wonders: geysers, geothermic spas, waterfalls and the spectacular Northern Lights. Reykjavik, dating back to 870 AD, offers world-class museums, restaurants, shopping and nightlife.