Cancún sits on the northeastern tip of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, where the Caribbean Sea meets a narrow stretch of sand shaped by ancient Maya trade routes and modern development. While widely known as a resort destination, Cancún’s roots trace back to a quiet fishing area near important pre-Hispanic sites, with nearby Isla Mujeres and the mainland serving as part of a broader coastal network connected to inland Maya cities.

Kanab, located near the southern border of Utah, is the gateway to Bryce and Zion National Parks and has been the location for hundreds of movies.

Bohol sits in the central Philippines, shaped by early Spanish contact and long-established rural communities. The island is known for its historic churches and for maintaining strong ties to agriculture and local governance, which have helped preserve a sense of continuity.

San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital, is a city where cobblestone streets lead to centuries-old forts and pastel-colored buildings overlook the Atlantic. The district of Old San Juan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its Spanish colonial architecture and thick stone walls that once defended the city from pirates and naval attacks. The city hosts regular events such as La Campechada, which celebrates Puerto Rican art and literature with live performances and open-air exhibits.

Just outside of Tucson lies Saguaro National Park, which is home to hundreds of saguaro cacti, the iconic symbol of the old West. There are endless scenic hikes and wildlife habitats, and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum isn't to be missed. The star of the park, of course, are the cacti themselves, and there are few more beautiful sights than seeing them silhouetted against the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.