The Irish Republic's second largest city is a surprisingly appealing place - you'll find time passes effortlessly during the day, and by night the pub scene is lively. The town center is uniquely situated on an island between two channels of the Lee River.

Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, has long served as a cultural and trade crossroads in the Andaman Sea. Centuries ago, it was a stopover for merchants trading tin, spices, and textiles, with influences from Chinese, Portuguese, Indian, and Malay travelers still reflected in the island’s architecture and cuisine. Inland, the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary protects rainforest habitat home to gibbons, civets, and exotic birds.

Fuvahmulah, part of the Maldives, stands apart as the only island in the country that is both a single atoll and a single island. Unlike the ring-shaped atolls that define most of the Maldives, Fuvahmulah has freshwater lakes, fertile soil, and lush greenery.

Ningbo is right on the East China Sea, south of Shanghai. Many scholars believe this was the cradle of Chinese civilization. Study the stone tablets and thousands of rare Ming Dynasty books in China's oldest and most renowned library. See the Asoka Temple believed to be one of the most important Buddhist temples in China or visit Tian Tong Temple, one of the largest and most scenic. For shopping, try the colorful and busy Gao Tang Free Market, the largest in the city.

Sucre, Bolivia’s constitutional capital, is a city steeped in history and colonial charm. Founded in the 16th century by the Spanish, it played a pivotal role in South America’s independence movements, earning its place as the birthplace of the Bolivian Republic.