Istanbul is a city built on layers of empire. Spanning two continents, it was once the capital of three major empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Visitors walking through the Sultanahmet district can witness this timeline firsthand, from the Roman-era Hippodrome to the Byzantine mosaics of Hagia Sophia, and the towering minarets of the Blue Mosque. At nearby Topkapi Palace, rooms still display the jeweled swords, ceremonial robes, and handwritten Qurans once used by Ottoman sultans.

Marmaris sits on the turquoise waters of Turkey’s Aegean coast and greets visitors with a lively harbor, wide beaches and a story that spans thousands of years. Its protected bay has been a safe anchorage for ships since ancient times, and today the marina, one of the largest on the Turkish Riviera, is bright with yachts and fishing boats alike.

Lao Cai, a gateway city to the northern highlands of Vietnam, offers an alluring blend of cultural diversity, breathtaking landscapes, and a touch of French colonial heritage. Situated along the Red River and bordering China, Lao Cai is the starting point for adventurers heading to the famous terraced rice fields of Sapa, but it has its own unique charms to discover.

IJmuiden is a North Sea port town in the province of North Holland, positioned at the mouth of the North Sea Canal. Its identity is closely tied to fishing, shipping, industry, and the sea, with working harbors and large vessels forming part of the everyday landscape. The town also has a broad sandy coastline and extensive dunes, creating a contrast between maritime industry and open coastal scenery.

Dunedin is the second largest city in New Zealand and home to the world's only mainland-breeding albatross colony, the Royal Albatross Centre.