Manaus, capital of Brazil’s Amazonas state, is a city that rises unexpectedly from the rainforest. Once the center of the global rubber boom in the late 1800s, Manaus still holds onto that legacy with surprising elegance. The Teatro Amazonas, an opulent opera house imported piece by piece from Europe, sits at the heart of the city, its pink façade and domed roof tiled in the colors of the Brazilian flag. Today, it hosts concerts, festivals, and curious visitors eager to step back in time.
Macao, a Special Administrative Region of China, is known for its distinctive blend of Portuguese and Chinese heritage. Once a Portuguese colony, the city retains historic squares, colonial architecture, and cobblestone streets that contrast with its modern skyline of resorts and entertainment complexes.
Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, tucked into the northern reaches of Botswana near the Chobe River, is a remote and pristine safari destination known for its rich biodiversity and exclusivity. Covering more than 275,000 acres of wilderness, the reserve is defined by floodplains, lagoons, woodlands, and savannah, creating a mosaic of habitats that sustain an impressive array of wildlife.
Nestled on the shores of Skjalfandi Bay in northern Iceland, Husavik offers visitors the unique chance to witness humpback whales, minke whales, and even the occasional blue whale in their natural habitat.
Santa Cruz de La Palma is the capital of the island of La Palma, one of the seven Canary Islands. Although often forgotten in favor of the similarly named Santa Cruz de Tenerife, it is a compact and colorful colonial town well worth a visit. Swimming, paragliding, and hiking and some of the most popular daytime activities, while stargazing is a favorite pastime after the sun goes down. La Palma was recently name as a "Starlight Reserve," which means the island is committed to preserving the quality of the night sky as well as increasing access to viewing opportunities.