Ely, Minnesota, sits on the edge of the Superior National Forest in the state’s Northwoods, where boreal forest, rocky terrain, and interconnected lakes define the landscape. The community is best known as a major gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which contains more than one million acres of protected forest and waterways along the Canadian border. Ely itself has a compact downtown with independent shops, galleries, restaurants, and outfitters serving wilderness travelers.

Concord is the capital of New Hampshire, situated along the Merrimack River in the central part of the state. The city combines a compact downtown with historic neighborhoods, wooded conservation areas, and a strong civic identity. Main Street serves as the heart of the centre, lined with independent shops, restaurants, galleries, and public spaces. The New Hampshire State House, with its distinctive golden dome, stands nearby and remains a major landmark.

Matobo National Park sits in the rolling hills of southern Zimbabwe stands as one of the country’s most remarkable landscapes. Its granite domes, balancing rocks and wooded valleys have formed over more than two billion years, creating a setting that feels both ancient and alive. As a UNESCO World Heritage cultural site, the park preserves a landscape that has shaped human life here for millennia, drawing travelers to explore its unusual terrain and storied past.

Juneau's majestic sprawl and abundance of nature set it apart from most capital cities in America. Tourists arrive via air or water, many coming in on cruise ships.

Toyama is a regional capital on the Sea of Japan coast, set between Toyama Bay and the mountains of the Northern Japan Alps. The city is known for its close relationship with both the sea and the alpine interior, with waterways, fertile plains, and snow-fed rivers shaping the surrounding landscape. Toyama also serves as a gateway to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and the mountain communities of the wider prefecture.