If you find yourself in Rotterdam, there's a strong chance you've arrived by water. This popular port city (the second largest in the Netherlands) has gone through an architectural renaissance since World War II, with daring, innovative structures dotting the city (cube houses!) and defining its skyline. Café culture is on the rise here, so grab yourself a table and a cup.

Aberdare National Park is a 311 square mile sanctuary on an isolated volcanic massif which forms part of the eastern wall of the Rift Valley. Part of the larger forest reserve, the Aberdares are covered with a dense rainforest and provide spectacular views over the Rift Valley. Bird life is abundant with more than 200 species.

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.

Ishasha, a hidden gem in southwestern Uganda, offers travelers a serene yet thrilling experience within Queen Elizabeth National Park. Known for its famous tree-climbing lions, this remote section of the park attracts wildlife enthusiasts eager to witness these majestic creatures lounging in the branches of fig and acacia trees. The landscape of Ishasha is stunning, with vast savannahs stretching out towards the horizon, dotted with rivers that attract herds of elephants, buffalo, and antelopes.

Western Sahara, (formerly Spanish Sahara), northwestern Africa, former overseas province of Spain partitioned in 1976 between Mauritania and Morocco, and since 1979, occupied entirely by Morocco.