Nature is never far in Helsinki. Locals swim in the sea, walk forested trails, and gather mushrooms or berries all within city limits. One popular local habit is heading to the sauna, and the city offers several open-to-the-public options. Löyly, located on the waterfront, combines traditional wood-burning saunas with a sleek, modern design. In winter, visitors can even pair a sauna session with a quick dip through a hole cut in the ice for an experience both shocking and strangely calming.

The Isle of Man, nestled in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland, offers visitors a blend of rich history and distinctive culture. Known for its ancient Celtic and Viking roots, the island’s heritage can be explored through sites like Peel Castle, built on a rocky island in the harbor of Peel, and the ancient Manx museums scattered throughout.

Meknes, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities, is a historic jewel known for its blend of grandeur and tradition. Once the capital under Sultan Moulay Ismail in the 17th century, the city was envisioned as the “Versailles of Morocco,” filled with monumental gates, sprawling walls, and lavish palaces.

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s premier tourist route, offering a breathtaking journey through some of the country’s most iconic natural wonders. The route typically starts in Reykjavik and circles through Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. At Þingvellir, visitors can stand where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and explore the site of the world’s oldest parliament, established in 930 AD.

A tributary of the Rhine, the Moselle River flows through France, Luxembourg and Germany. The Moselle also lends its name to a region of France, a valley which it bisects, and a wine produced along its banks.