Taipei, the vibrant capital of Taiwan, is a city where tradition and modernity coexist. Visitors can explore historic temples such as Longshan Temple, discover cultural treasures at the National Palace Museum, and admire the cityscape from Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers.

Perched on the northern shore of Lake Geneva, Lausanne is a city that blends centuries of history with a strong cultural identity. It served as a Roman military camp called Lousanna before evolving into a key medieval settlement. Today, visitors can still climb the tower of Lausanne Cathedral, widely regarded as the most impressive Gothic structure in Switzerland. From the top, the view stretches over the rooftops of the Old Town to the vineyards of Lavaux and across the lake to the French Alps.

New Orleans is unlike any other city in the United States. Founded in 1718, it carries layers of French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influence that can be felt in everything from its architecture to its street music. The French Quarter, the oldest neighborhood in the city, is full of iron-laced balconies, gas lamps, and narrow streets that echo with the sounds of live jazz.

Zacatecas, built into the slopes of a narrow ravine in north-central Mexico, is a city with a deep mining past and a striking skyline. The historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its pink cantera stone buildings, narrow alleys, and impressive baroque facades. The Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas, completed in 1752, stands as one of the most detailed examples of Mexican baroque architecture, with hundreds of carved figures covering its sandstone exterior.

This pleasant port town provides a nice, calmer contrast to bustling Rome, so travelers are advised to not simply pass through, but linger and discover more of Civitavecchia. Explore Forte Michelangelo, shop at Corso Centocelle, see the neoclassical Trajan Theatre, and delve into the therapeutic Taurine Baths of Civitavecchia.