Rothenburg ob der Tauber rises above the Tauber River in Bavaria, where its medieval town center has stood largely unchanged for centuries, making it one of Germany’s most vivid windows into the past. This old walled city stretches along cobblestone streets where half-timbered houses, ancient towers, and narrow alleys invite visitors to wander and imagine life in the Middle Ages.

Accessible glacier located on New Zealand's South Island. Visitors can take guided hikes of Franz Jose to view its tunnels, crevasses and caves.

Cairns is the majestic entrance to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. This warm, tropical destination is located in Far North Queensland. Must-see attractions in Cairns include the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, which educates tourists about indigenous peoples, and restaurant and bar-dotted Cairns Esplanade, which has a lagoon for swimming.

Konya has served as a spiritual center for centuries. Every December, the Şeb‑i Arûs festival marks the passing of Rumi, the Persian mystic, and draws Sufis and visitors from around the world to witness the Sema. Whirling dervish dance is performed to the sound of ney flutes and drums. In one of the country's most hushed and vivid traditions, performers spin in unison in flowing white skirts, a scene that blends meditation with graceful motion in a way found nowhere else.

From grand castles to resplendent cathedrals, Tallinn’s Old Town neighborhood, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the perfect place to begin exploring. Enter through Viru Väravad, or Viru Gate, the former fortress whose remaining two towers beckon you into the heart of the city.