Pendleton, Oregon, sits in the heart of the high desert region, where wide open skies meet rolling wheat fields and the rugged Blue Mountains. The city is widely recognized for its rich history in ranching, railroads, and wool production, which visitors can explore through preserved buildings and museums. Downtown Pendleton features brick storefronts, murals, and sculptures that reflect the city’s connection to both the frontier and the railroad era.

Antiquity is everywhere on the island of Rhodes, from its cobbled Old Town to a mighty acropolis presiding high over the town of Lindos. Ancient ruins recall Crusades-era occupation and Ottoman tyranny, but today, a rather magical Aegean lifestyle is predominant. Travelers will enjoy excellent food, picturesque beaches, buzzing nightlife, and snorkeling in clear waters.

Panajachel, on the shores of Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán, is a vibrant town framed by volcanic peaks and the shimmering waters of one of the world’s most picturesque lakes.

Baja California Sur is state located in Northwestern Mexico, on the Baja California peninsula. The capital is La Paz. The area is lightly populated. Tourism is the economic mainstay of this region, centered around the beach resort area, Los Cabos. Sport fishing is a major attraction, as well as having some of the best beaches Baja has to offer.

Kaziranga National Park stretches across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River in Assam, shaped as much by water as by wildlife. Established in the early 20th century, it became central to conservation efforts in India, most notably for the greater one-horned rhinoceros. The park’s history reflects a long negotiation between protection, seasonal flooding, and the human communities that live around its edges.