The Amazon River, winding through the heart of South America, is a marvel of nature that offers unparalleled adventure in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Originating from the Peruvian Andes, the Amazon travels through nine countries before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.

Bran, a small village nestled in the Carpathian Mountains of central Romania, is best known for its medieval fortress commonly referred to as “Dracula’s Castle.” While the connection to Bram Stoker’s fictional character is loose at best, Bran Castle continues to draw travelers with its striking towers, stone walls, and position on a rocky cliff. Originally built in the 14th century to defend against invading forces, the castle has passed through royal hands, most notably Queen Marie of Romania.

Farther from a continental landfall than any other group of islands on earth, the twelve Marquesas jut out of the open Pacific just south of the equator, shrouded in a constant cloud cover.

Lundy is a small granite island in the Bristol Channel, about 12 miles off the coast of North Devon. Roughly three miles long and half a mile wide, it has a rugged western coastline of cliffs and a more sheltered eastern side with grassy slopes and Landing Bay. The island is owned by the National Trust and managed by the Landmark Trust, with a small resident community and no cars.

Perugia, the capital of Italy’s Umbria region, is a city built across hills and centuries. Originally settled by the Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago, it still holds remnants of their civilization, including one of the largest surviving Etruscan arches in Italy named Arco Etrusco, which greets visitors at the city’s entrance. Walking through the narrow streets of the historic center reveals layers of Roman, medieval, and Renaissance architecture, all woven together within ancient stone walls.