Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, has long served as a cultural and trade crossroads in the Andaman Sea. Centuries ago, it was a stopover for merchants trading tin, spices, and textiles, with influences from Chinese, Portuguese, Indian, and Malay travelers still reflected in the island’s architecture and cuisine. Inland, the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary protects rainforest habitat home to gibbons, civets, and exotic birds.

A fishing port and seaside resort in a picturesque location. The old town is dominated by a castle (7th century). The cathedral (1279) is notable for its admirable sculptures and paintings as well as its Arab-Norman bell tower. The mausoleum of Lucius Munatius Plancus, an impressive Roman monument, is cylindrical in shape and 13 meters high. The sanctuary of Montagna Spaccata is at Punta della Trinità, where you can see a chasm which is traditionally said to have opened up on the death of Jesus.

Southeast Spain's seaport of Cartagena is a large naval base on the Mediterranean coast. The city was founded in 220 B.C. and boasts Roman ruins, mosaics and murals.

The Gulf of Alaska, a vast expanse of icy blue waters nestled along the southern coast of Alaska, is a remarkable destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. This pristine region is renowned for its dramatic fjords, rugged coastline, and majestic glaciers, which contribute to its breathtaking scenery.

Mongolia, a landlocked nation between Russia and China, is defined by vast steppes, dramatic mountain ranges, and the sweeping expanse of the Gobi Desert. Known for its nomadic traditions, the country preserves a way of life that has endured for centuries.