Tree-lined avenues, grand architecture, and the imperative to live well defines Bucharest, a bustling city that is rebounding and expanding. In the 1900s, this vibrant Romanian capital was nicknamed "Little Paris" and that jubilant, raise-a-glass spirit carries over to this day.
On the Nile's east bank sits Luxor, a onetime stronghold for Egyptian pharaohs. Key sites include Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, and the Valley of the Kings.
Machu Picchu is a story carved into stone, perched nearly 2,500 meters above sea level in the cloud forests of southern Peru. Built in the 15th century and later abandoned, this Inca citadel was unknown to the outside world until 1911, when explorer Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention. Today, it remains remarkably well-preserved, with more than 150 stone structures, terraced fields, ceremonial fountains, and temples aligned with astronomical events.
Azerbaijan, often called the “Land of Fire,” sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia along the Caspian Sea. Its capital, Baku, blends futuristic architecture with centuries-old history.