Kansas City, Kansas offers more than meets the eye. Located at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, this city blends its industrial roots with surprising pockets of creativity, flavor, and local pride. Food plays a big role in the city’s identity, and no trip is complete without sampling its barbecue. While its Missouri neighbor may get more attention, Kansas City holds its own with iconic joints like Slap’s BBQ, a local favorite known for brisket that draws lines out the door.

Delphi is an iconic historical site and was once the sacred precinct of classical Greece, due to its role in Greek myth as the seat of a prophetic oracle. Originally considered the center of the world by ancient Greeks, today's Delphi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and archaeological wonder, filled with the ruins of theaters, temples, treasuries, and other remains of centuries-old architecture.

Hong Kong is one of the few places in the world where a 700-year-old fishing village sits minutes away from the headquarters of international banks. Once a British colony and now a Special Administrative Region of China, the city carries traces of Cantonese, colonial, and global influences in its streets, rituals, and food. The city has more than 300 hiking trails, including the well-known Lion Rock hike, which ends at a dramatic cliff overlooking Kowloon’s dense skyline.

Palenque, nestled in the lush jungles of Chiapas, Mexico, offers an enthralling glimpse into the grandeur of the ancient Maya civilization. The city is renowned for its well-preserved ruins, which include the majestic Temple of the Inscriptions, where the tomb of the ruler Pakal the Great was discovered in 1952.

Located in northern Oman, Nakhal is best known for its impressive fort set dramatically against the backdrop of the Hajar Mountains. Originally built centuries ago and later expanded, the fort showcases traditional Omani architecture and offers sweeping views of the surrounding palm groves and rugged landscapes.