Istanbul is a city built on layers of empire. Spanning two continents, it was once the capital of three major empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Visitors walking through the Sultanahmet district can witness this timeline firsthand, from the Roman-era Hippodrome to the Byzantine mosaics of Hagia Sophia, and the towering minarets of the Blue Mosque. At nearby Topkapi Palace, rooms still display the jeweled swords, ceremonial robes, and handwritten Qurans once used by Ottoman sultans.

Located southwest of India and Sri Lanka, this small yet dense island capital is the cultural center of the Maldives.

Bako National Park is a treasure for nature lovers. Just off the coast of Borneo, it’s one of the top places to experience Malaysia’s incredible wildlife up close. Hike through dense jungle trails and winding mangrove forests, where you might spot rare proboscis monkeys, bearded pigs, and flashes of color from tropical birds

Grand Rapids sits along the Grand River in western Michigan, shaped by industry, reform, and a strong civic culture.

Mindelo, on the northern coast of São Vicente Island, is Cape Verde’s cultural pulse. Its streets are lined with colorful colonial buildings, lively squares, and historic churches that echo the city’s maritime past.