Ampefy is a highland town in central Madagascar, situated in the Itasy region west of Antananarivo. The area is known for its volcanic landscape, with Lake Itasy forming the center of a region shaped by ancient eruptions. Rolling hills, fertile farmland, volcanic cones, and streams surround the lake, creating a landscape that differs from Madagascar’s drier western and southern regions.

Leleuvia Island is a small island in Fiji’s Lomaiviti group, located off the eastern coast of Viti Levu between Bau, Moturiki and Ovalau.

Travelers on the Arabian Sea often find themselves in Muscat, on the Gulf of Oman. This port capital is situated between ocean and mountains, and boasts lovely beaches, great diving sites (watch for turtles!), 16th-century forts, and the impressive Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which can hold 20,000 people.

Lexington lies in Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region, surrounded by rolling pastureland, limestone-rich soil and hundreds of horse farms. Known as the “Horse Capital of the World,” the city is closely associated with Thoroughbred breeding and racing, yet it also has a busy downtown shaped by universities, restaurants, arts venues and bourbon production.

Manila is the capital of the Philippines and a densely built city on the eastern shore of Manila Bay. It serves as a major center for government, commerce, education, and the arts, while its neighborhoods reveal different layers of Filipino life. The Pasig River connects the city to the wider metropolitan area, and the waterfront remains an important part of its setting. Manila is especially known for Intramuros, the walled historic district at the heart of the city.