Potsdam, the capital of Germany’s Brandenburg state, lies just southwest of Berlin and is best known for its grand palaces, landscaped gardens, and role as a seat of Prussian royalty.

Timbered homes and winemaking are some of the defining characteristics of Bernkastel-Kues.

Verona is situated at a bend of the Adige River in northern Italy. It is hard to imagine that antique arts, monuments that date back to Roman times, and the shadows of the world's most famous tragic lovers can add up to a smiling, buzzing city. Yet they do, thanks perhaps to Verona's talent for melding her past and her present, her ancient and new so gracefully that everything blends in easy harmony.

Kyrgyzstan, a country in Central Asia, is known for its rugged mountains, alpine lakes, and rich nomadic traditions. The Tien Shan mountain range dominates the landscape, offering opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and exploring remote villages.

Istanbul is a city built on layers of empire. Spanning two continents, it was once the capital of three major empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Visitors walking through the Sultanahmet district can witness this timeline firsthand, from the Roman-era Hippodrome to the Byzantine mosaics of Hagia Sophia, and the towering minarets of the Blue Mosque. At nearby Topkapi Palace, rooms still display the jeweled swords, ceremonial robes, and handwritten Qurans once used by Ottoman sultans.