Akita sits in the northern part of Japan’s Tōhoku region and offers travelers experiences rooted in long-held traditions, lively festivals, and scenic valleys. Its capital city blends seasonal appeal with cultural offerings, from Senshu Park, once the site of Kubota Castle, where cherry blossoms and lotuses draw locals and visitors alike, to the Akita Museum of Art, a striking building designed by famed architect Tadao Ando that displays works including pieces by Tsuguharu Foujita.

Antarctica’s Deception Island offers a dramatic landscape shaped by volcanic forces in one of the most remote corners of the world. Located in the South Shetland Islands, it is the caldera of an active volcano, its flooded interior forming a natural harbor known as Port Foster. This rare combination of volcanic activity and polar environment makes Deception Island a place where ice and fire meet.

Sokcho-si is a coastal city in northeastern South Korea where the East Sea meets rugged mountains, giving it a maritime and outdoor character.

Located on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Chichen Itza is the site a well preserved Mayan ruins, including several large pyramid structures and more.

Many consider this the prettiest town in Holland, with its well preserved 15th to 17th century buildings.