The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa, offer far more than just sunshine and beaches. Made up of eight main islands, each with its own personality, the Canaries are a place where lunar landscapes, cloud forests, volcanic peaks, and historic towns coexist within short travel distances. On Tenerife, Mount Teide looms over a landscape of solidified lava and craters that look like a science fiction set.

Manama pulses with stories from long ago and today. Just beyond the modern skyline lies Qal’at al‑Bahrain, a layered mound once the capital of Dilmun, used by societies from the Kassites to the Portuguese. Visitors can climb its crumbling stairways and imagine life across centuries there. Nearby, the Bahrain National Museum, opened in 1988 in a stately waterside building, displays archaeological finds from ancient Dilmun to modern-day artifacts and is one of the Gulf's first modern museums.

Located on the north coast of Morocco near the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier is a cultural capital replete with historic sites, colorful architecture, and splendid beaches. An essential stop is the Ancien Medina, a walled collection of winding streets and alleys filled with cafes and shops leading to the Kasbah, a former palace and mosque that also houses a museum.

San Blas, Panama, known locally as Guna Yala, is a paradise of untouched beauty and indigenous culture, nestled along Panama's Caribbean coast. Comprising an archipelago of over 365 islands, San Blas offers a new adventure for every day of the year. Crystal-clear turquoise waters, pristine white sand beaches, and coral reefs teeming with marine life make it a haven for snorkeling, diving, and sailing enthusiasts.

A small town located on the shores of Lake Tana (Ethiopia's largest). Visit the ancient monestaries, the beautiful Tissisiat Falls (30km) and the place where the 'Blue Nile' creates smoking waters.