Hikone is a city in Shiga Prefecture on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. Its location combines a historic castle town with lakeside landscapes, wooded hills, and traditional neighborhoods. Hikone Castle, a National Treasure, is the city's best-known landmark and remains surrounded by moats, stone walls, and gardens.

Corning is a small city in New York’s southern Finger Lakes region, set along the Chemung River and known internationally for its connection to glassmaking. The city combines a compact downtown with historic buildings, museums, galleries, and access to the surrounding hills and waterways. Market Street forms the center of the Gaffer District, where shops, restaurants, cafés, and local businesses occupy restored storefronts.

North Seymour Island, located just north of Baltra in Ecuador’s Galápagos archipelago, is a compact but biologically rich destination known for its wildlife encounters. Though small in size, this flat, arid island punches far above its weight when it comes to natural spectacle, offering a rare chance to observe iconic species in a remarkably close setting.

Amorgos is an island in the eastern Cyclades, known for its steep rocky coastline, whitewashed villages, stone paths, and broad views across the Aegean Sea. Unlike flatter Cycladic islands, much of Amorgos is mountainous, with Mount Krikelos reaching 821 metres and deep valleys separating its settlements. The main ports are Katapola and Aegiali, while Chora, the island’s inland capital, is built around narrow lanes, small squares, windmills, and traditional Cycladic houses.

Calais is a port city on France's northern coast, facing the Strait of Dover at the narrowest point of the English Channel. Its location has made it an important link between France and Britain, with ferries and the Channel Tunnel connecting the region to England. The city centre includes broad boulevards, public squares, and historic buildings, while the waterfront extends toward sandy beaches and dunes.