Las Palmas (officially Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) is the capital of Gran Canaria island as well as co-capital (along with Santa Cruz de Tenerife) of the Canary Islands. It is a major cruise-ship port known for duty-free shopping and sandy beaches, including Playa de Las Canteras, considered by many to be one of the best urban beaches worldwide.

Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, is a city where time seems to have paused in the mid-20th century. Known for its remarkably preserved Italian modernist architecture, the city has earned recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Monteverde, located in the Tilarán Mountains of northwestern Costa Rica, is known for its cloud forests, winding trails, and biodiversity that has drawn researchers and travelers for decades. The area was settled in the 1950s by Quakers from the United States who were looking for a peaceful place to raise dairy cattle. They also played a major role in preserving the local ecosystem, helping to establish the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in 1972.

Flåm is a charming village nestled in the breathtaking fjords of Norway. Highlights include the Flåm Railway Museum, Fretheimshaugane park, and Otternes Bygdetun, a remote farm dating back to the 18th century.

Tanzania, located in East Africa along the Indian Ocean, is a country of extraordinary landscapes and cultural diversity. It is home to Africa’s tallest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, and vast plains such as the Serengeti, where wildlife roams freely across open savannas.