Des Moines, Iowa’s capital city, offers a refreshing take on Midwest travel with a blend of creativity, history, and community pride. Its downtown skyline is anchored by the gold-domed Iowa State Capitol, which offers free guided tours and a striking view from its hilltop perch. Just across the river, the East Village mixes old brick storefronts with indie shops, coffee houses, and vibrant murals. It's where old meets new, a theme that runs throughout the city’s evolving identity.

Dominica, known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” is a haven for eco-tourists and adventure seekers. Nestled between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, this lush island boasts a remarkable landscape of volcanic mountains, dense rainforests, and stunning waterfalls. Dominica’s most iconic natural wonder is the Boiling Lake, the second-largest hot spring in the world.

A lesser-known river port in the Mekong Delta, Sa Dec was once the capital of Dong Thap province of southern Vietnam. Today, it is best known for its flower gardens and authentic bustling market. The city is also famous as the setting for French writer Marguerite Duras' 1984 novel, The Lover, and its 1991 film adaptation of the same name.

This coastal town in Montenegro is part of the World Heritage Site dubbed the Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor. It holds several summer events, such as the Summer Carnival or Bokeljska Noc. One of the most notable and charming aspects of the town is the large population of cats that have become a symbol of the city.

Tampico, located on the Gulf Coast of Tamaulipas, is a port city with a layered history shaped by trade, oil, and immigration. Its downtown district is known for neoclassical buildings, many of which were constructed with imported bricks and ironwork from Europe during the oil boom of the early 20th century. One of Tampico’s most photographed structures is the Mercado Municipal, rebuilt in recent years but still functioning as a central hub for daily life.