Malta’s ornate and vibrant capital, Valletta, dazzles travelers with its abundance of historical landmarks and striking architecture. This island jewel off the coast of Italy remains a popular destination for Mediterranean cruises. From central St. George’s Square, to sixteenth-century Casa Rocca Piccola, to the Siege Bell War Memorial, Valletta has no shortage of monuments detailing the city’s long history.

Victoria de Durango rises on a high plateau Mexico’s Sierra Madre Occidental, founded in 1563 by Francisco de Ibarra. Its streets trace layers of history: the historic center holds the most listed buildings in northern Mexico and remains a notable stop on the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, now a UNESCO World Heritage route.

Santa Marta, located on Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast, is one of the country’s oldest cities, founded in 1525. It has long served as a gateway between the coast and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world’s highest coastal mountain range.

Wrocław, a captivating gem in southwestern Poland, enchants visitors with its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture. The city’s picturesque Old Town is centered around the magnificent Market Square (Rynek), where colorful facades and historic buildings like the Gothic Wrocław Town Hall create a fairy-tale atmosphere.

The Gobi Desert, spanning across northern China and southern Mongolia, is one of the world’s most iconic and mysterious landscapes. Known for its vast stretches of arid plains, towering sand dunes, and rugged mountains, the Gobi offers a stark, breathtaking beauty that has captivated explorers and travelers for centuries.