Turkmenistan is a land of striking contrasts, where vast deserts meet ancient Silk Road history. The country is dominated by the Karakum Desert, an expanse of sand and scrub that covers most of its territory, yet it is also home to oases where cities flourished as trading posts for caravans journeying between Persia, China, and beyond.

South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia is one of Africa’s most treasured wildlife areas, lying along the lush bends of the Luangwa River. Designated as a protected area in the 1970s, it stands out for its consistently high wildlife densities and landscapes that shift with the seasons. Dry grasslands, shaded woodlands, and green floodplains all unfold beneath wide skies, shaping the canvas for memorable animal sightings.

Gijón sits on Spain’s northern coast in Asturias, shaped by its long relationship with the Cantabrian Sea. From its origins as a Roman settlement to its later growth as an industrial and port city, Gijón has balanced maritime work with civic life.

Pondicherry is a coastal town in southern India that still carries traces of its French colonial past. The French Quarter, or White Town, is filled with mustard-yellow buildings, iron-laced balconies, and streets with French names. Visitors can explore this area on foot or by bicycle, stopping at spots like the 18th-century Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges, built in Greco-Roman style, or the French Consulate, which continues to operate from a colonial-era building.

Mexico offers the best beaches, scuba diving, nightlife, cultural attractions and cuisine in the world. Millions of people flock to this country every year for a well-needed vacation. Archaeological ruins, inexpensive shopping, and festive music are its foremost attractions.