Semarang is a port city on the north coast of Java, shaped by centuries of trade, migration, and cultural exchange. As an important hub during the Dutch colonial period, it developed into a city where Javanese traditions intersect with European and Chinese influences.

Selcuk, a small town in western Turkey’s İzmir Province, is one of the country’s richest destinations for history lovers. It sits at the foot of the ancient city of Ephesus, once one of the great cities of the classical world and home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

A lesser-known river port in the Mekong Delta, Sa Dec was once the capital of Dong Thap province of southern Vietnam. Today, it is best known for its flower gardens and authentic bustling market. The city is also famous as the setting for French writer Marguerite Duras' 1984 novel, The Lover, and its 1991 film adaptation of the same name.

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.

Algiers, Algeria’s capital, is a city where centuries of history unfold along the shores of the Mediterranean. Known as “El Bahdja,” or “The Joyful,” Algiers blends striking buildings, seaside breezes, and layered stories. One of its most iconic landmarks is the Casbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site with maze-like alleyways, Ottoman-era palaces, and hidden terraces overlooking the bay. The Grand Post Office, with its striking facade and intricate neo-Moorish details, anchors the city’s downtown.