Trieste, located in the northeastern corner of Italy, is a city that beautifully blends Italian, Slavic, and Central European influences, making it one of the most culturally rich destinations in the country. Situated along the Adriatic Sea, the city boasts a stunning waterfront, with the iconic Piazza Unità d'Italia, one of the largest European squares facing the sea, at its heart.

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s premier tourist route, offering a breathtaking journey through some of the country’s most iconic natural wonders. The route typically starts in Reykjavik and circles through Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. At Þingvellir, visitors can stand where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and explore the site of the world’s oldest parliament, established in 930 AD.

Hellesylt, a small village on Norway’s western coast, sits at the entrance to the famous Geirangerfjord and offers scenery that feels almost otherworldly. Steep mountains rise sharply on all sides, their slopes cut by ribbons of waterfalls that plunge into deep blue water. One of the most striking sights is the Hellesylt Waterfall, which thunders past the heart of the village and can be admired from several pedestrian bridges.

Lake Tana, located in the northwest of Ethiopia, is the country’s largest freshwater lake and the source of the Blue Nile. Its calm waters are dotted with more than 30 islands, many of which are home to ancient monasteries adorned with religious paintings and manuscripts.

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.