Pasadena is a city in Southern California set at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, about ten miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is known for its historic neighborhoods, Craftsman architecture, cultural institutions, and long association with the Tournament of Roses. Tree-lined streets and distinct districts give the city a character separate from the larger Los Angeles area.

Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia and a highland city set at the foot of the Entoto Mountains. Its elevated setting gives the city a relatively cool climate compared with much of the country, while broad avenues, busy neighborhoods, green hills, and expanding modern districts create a varied urban landscape. Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union and hosts numerous international organizations, giving it an important diplomatic role across the continent.

Nestled in Kenya’s southern region, Amboseli is a captivating destination renowned for its stunning landscapes and vibrant wildlife. Dominated by the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park offers a striking contrast between the snow-capped peak and the arid plains below. The park is famous for its expansive vistas and the opportunity to witness diverse wildlife, including large herds of elephants, which are a major attraction.

Remote, windswept, and bursting with wildlife, South Georgia is a sub-Antarctic island that surprises nearly everyone who steps ashore. Though uninhabited by civilians, the island hosts a small British research station and welcomes visitors via expedition cruises. What draws people here is not luxury or convenience, but the scale of its wildness.

Periyar is a forested highland destination in Kerala’s Idukki district, centered on the Periyar Tiger Reserve and the town of Thekkady. Set within the Western Ghats, the region combines wooded hills, evergreen forests, grasslands, streams, and the large Periyar Lake. The tiger reserve covers about 925 square kilometres and supports an extensive range of wildlife. Its landscape is particularly associated with Asian elephants, Bengal tigers, gaur, sambar deer, wild dogs, and rich birdlife.