Nicaragua offers travelers a look into centuries of layered history set against striking natural backdrops. Visitors can tour the baroque-style Granada Cathedral, take a boat ride through Las Isletas (a chain of small, volcanic islands in Lake Nicaragua), or climb the bell tower of Iglesia La Merced for sweeping city views.

Taormina, with its hilltop location above the Ionian Sea, is easily one of Italy's most beautiful places. As it's packed with people in the summertime, recommended months to visit include April and September.

Tongariro National Park, on New Zealand’s North Island, holds deep cultural meaning as well as striking geological presence. It was the country’s first national park, gifted to the nation by Ngāti Tūwharetoa chiefs in the 19th century, establishing a model that tied conservation to Māori guardianship. The volcanic peaks of Tongariro, Ngāuruhoe, and Ruapehu are considered ancestors, giving the landscape a living cultural identity rather than a purely scenic one.

Paracas, a small coastal town in southern Peru, offers a mix of desert landscapes, marine wildlife, and ancient history. Just three hours from Lima, it’s the gateway to the Paracas National Reserve, one of the country’s most important protected areas. This reserve includes both land and sea, making it home to dramatic cliffs, wind-carved rock formations, and waters where dolphins, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins are frequently seen.

St. Helena is a remote island in the South Atlantic Ocean, known for its dramatic cliffs, volcanic landscapes, and rich history. It is most famous as the place where Napoleon Bonaparte spent his final years in exile, and visitors can explore Longwood House and other historic sites that tell the story of this period.