Trabzon was founded in the 7th century B.C. by Milletain colonists. On entering the city, on a green hill descending to the sea, is a well-preserved 13th century Byzantine church, now the Avasofya Museum. The walls of this church are decorated with frescoes, some of the finest examples of Byzantine craftmanship. The higher part of the city, the old quarter, inside the still extant fortifications with its timber houses, should be visited.

No place on Earth quite compares to Antarctica, this stunning and vast continent is cold and windy, containing 90% of the ice in the world. Those who brave a visit here are rewarded with beautiful glaciers that must be seen to be believed, and a vast array of wildlife such as whales, penguins, Arctic foxes and seals.

Hellesylt, a small village on Norway’s western coast, sits at the entrance to the famous Geirangerfjord and offers scenery that feels almost otherworldly. Steep mountains rise sharply on all sides, their slopes cut by ribbons of waterfalls that plunge into deep blue water. One of the most striking sights is the Hellesylt Waterfall, which thunders past the heart of the village and can be admired from several pedestrian bridges.

Oslo, Norway’s capital, stands at the crossroads of Nordic history and forward-thinking design. Originally founded over a thousand years ago by Viking King Harald Hardrada, the city has evolved from a medieval trading hub into one of Europe’s most modern capitals. Visitors can explore its layered past at the Akershus Fortress, a 13th-century stronghold still standing guard over Oslofjord, or walk through the preserved wooden homes of Damstredet.

Namche Bazaar, perched at 3,440 meters in the Khumbu region of Nepal, is often called the gateway to Everest, but it’s far more than a rest stop on the way to Base Camp. Once a trading post between Tibetan and Nepali merchants, Namche has developed into a small mountain town where yak caravans and Wi-Fi cafes exist side by side. Despite its remote location, it has a Saturday market that continues to bring traders and trekkers together, just as it did centuries ago.