Erfoud, a desert town in eastern Morocco, is often seen as the last stop before the endless dunes of the Sahara begin. But this oasis holds more than just a convenient location. Known as the "Gateway to the Desert," Erfoud is steeped in history that predates the modern borders of Morocco. It was once a French colonial outpost, and today, its dusty streets and adobe buildings offer a glimpse into a slower, older way of life that still shapes the region’s identity.

Fogo Island is a large offshore island in Newfoundland and Labrador, set in the North Atlantic and reached by ferry from Farewell on Newfoundland’s northeast coast. Its landscape is defined by rocky headlands, small coves, rolling hills, exposed coastal trails, and scattered fishing communities. Eleven communities occupy the island, including Fogo, Joe Batt’s Arm, and Tilting, each with its own character and relationship to the sea.

This southern Mexican state borders Guatemala. Its mountainous highlands and dense rainforest are dotted with several Mayan archaeological sites and Spanish colonial towns.

Botswana, a jewel of southern Africa, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and unique wildlife experiences. The country is renowned for its pristine wilderness areas, including the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This sprawling inland delta floods annually, creating a lush oasis in the Kalahari Desert. Here, visitors can explore a maze of waterways and lagoons by traditional mokoro canoe, spotting a rich array of wildlife such as elephants, hippos, and various bird species.

The Conflict Islands are a small group of coral islands and atolls in the Louisiade Archipelago of Papua New Guinea’s Milne Bay Province. They lie in the Solomon Sea, southeast of mainland Papua New Guinea, and are surrounded by clear lagoon waters, coral reefs, sandbars, and uninhabited islets.