Colca Canyon, located in southern Peru’s Arequipa region, is one of the deepest canyons in the world, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in some areas. What makes it stand out even more is how human settlements have coexisted with the landscape for centuries. Along its walls, pre-Inca agricultural terraces still hold crops like corn and quinoa. One of the main draws of the canyon is the opportunity to see Andean condors in flight.

French Guiana, tucked between Brazil and Suriname on the northeast coast of South America, offers an unexpected blend of Amazonian wilderness, colonial intrigue, and French flair. As an overseas department of France, it uses the euro, speaks French, and has croissants alongside cassava bread at breakfast. Yet just beyond the cafés of Cayenne, vast rainforest stretches for hundreds of kilometers, home to rare wildlife, remote rivers, and Indigenous communities.

Chios lies in the northeastern Aegean, close enough to the Turkish coast that the mainland feels present in daily life.

Mexico City sits on the high plateau of central Mexico, layered with more than seven centuries of history and culture. Built atop the ruins of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán, the city reflects a continuous dialogue between Indigenous foundations, Spanish colonial influence, and modern urban life.

The Netherlands offers travelers a landscape where innovation and tradition intersect. In cities like Amsterdam, visitors can explore centuries-old canal networks and Golden Age architecture while also encountering contemporary art installations and sustainable urban design. The Rijksmuseum houses masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer, while a short walk away, the Van Gogh Museum brings visitors closer to one of history’s most studied painters.