Cruz Bay is the welcoming gateway to St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where vibrant Caribbean life meets rich island history. Stepping off the ferry from nearby St. Thomas, visitors find themselves in a lively waterfront town filled with cafés, bars and boutiques that lead toward sandy streets and shimmering views of the bay. This small town is also home to the Cruz Bay Visitor Center, a helpful place to start planning outings into Virgin Islands National Park and to learn about the island.

Billings, Montana sits on the edge of the vast plains and at the base of ancient sandstone cliffs known as the Rimrocks. These formations frame the city and provide miles of scenic overlooks, hiking trails, and even fossil beds. From Swords Park, visitors can walk or bike along the paved trail that follows the rim’s edge, offering sweeping views of downtown, the Yellowstone River, and distant snowcapped peaks.

Westport is a coastal town on the northwest side of New Zealand’s South Island, located near the mouth of the Buller River. The town serves as one of the main settlements of the Buller District and has long been connected to coal mining, fishing, and river trade.

Langtang National Park lies just north of Kathmandu, yet it feels far removed from the city’s pace. As Nepal’s first Himalayan national park, it stretches from lush river valleys to high alpine ridges close to the Tibetan border. Snow-covered peaks such as Langtang Lirung rise above forests of oak, maple, and rhododendron, creating dramatic shifts in scenery over short distances.

This small yet charming city in Alaska's panhandle is a throwback to the gold rush era. Skagway is a well-preserved part of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.