Lagos sits on the southern edge of Portugal’s Algarve where a lively old port town meets wide Atlantic skies. Just a short stroll from the heart of town, the coast drops away into a spectacle at Ponta da Piedade, where golden sandstone cliffs rise out of the Atlantic and have been shaped into stacks, natural arches and grottoes over millennia. At the top, the Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse watches over this dramatic shoreline and offers a great backdrop for photos as the sun sets into the ocean.

Volos, a vibrant city nestled between the Aegean Sea and the lush slopes of Mount Pelion, is a delightful blend of modernity and tradition. Known for its picturesque waterfront and bustling port, Volos offers visitors an authentic taste of Greek coastal life. The city’s seaside promenade is ideal for leisurely strolls, with plenty of cafes and tavernas where you can savor fresh seafood while enjoying views of the bay.

On the north-western coast of Sal Island in Cape Verde sits Palmeira, an authentic fishing settlement where day-to-day life still revolves around the sea. The village’s seaside restaurants serve grilled tuna, octopus, and flying fish fresh from the day’s catch. Just a short trip from the centre lies Buracona, a natural lava rock pool famous for the “Blue Eye,” a glowing underwater cave that shines when the sunlight hits at just the right angle.

Graaff-Reinet is a historic town in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, set within a broad bend of the Sundays River in the Great Karoo. It is surrounded by the landscapes of Camdeboo National Park and is known for its collection of well-preserved historic buildings. More than 200 heritage structures are found across the town, many built in distinctive Cape Dutch, Victorian, and Karoo architectural styles.

Dili is the capital and largest city of Timor-Leste, set along the country's northern coast between the sea and rugged mountain slopes. The city stretches around a broad bay, with beaches, government buildings, markets, residential neighborhoods, and busy streets forming its urban landscape. Mountains rise immediately south of the city, while the Ombai Strait extends north toward Atauro Island.