Haines is a charming stop in the Alaska Panhandle and a gateway to Glacier Bay National Park and Tongass National Forest.

Loch Ness stretches over 23 miles through the Scottish Highlands, holding more freshwater than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. Best known for its elusive resident, the so-called Loch Ness Monster, the loch has sparked international curiosity since the first modern "sighting" in 1933. While Nessie remains elusive, the surrounding landscape offers clear reasons to visit with steep hillsides, forested trails, and ancient ruins framing one of Scotland’s most iconic bodies of water.

Khiva, located in western Uzbekistan’s Khorezm region, is one of Central Asia’s most evocative Silk Road cities.

Great Bird Island, lying just off Antigua’s northeastern coast, is a tiny, uninhabited gem known for its remarkable biodiversity and tranquil beauty. Despite its modest size, the island is home to some of the Caribbean’s rarest wildlife.

Originating as a tiny fishing village in 1038, modern Kehl has become an important link between Germany and France. Rhine River cruises most often use Kehl as their gateway to the much larger and better-known Strasbourg. The savvy traveler, though, might choose to skip the jaunt across the river and enjoy many similar sights, shopping and cuisine as those offered in the teeming French city.