Veracruz, Mexico, is a vibrant port city rich in history and culture. Founded in 1519 by Hernán Cortés, it is Mexico’s oldest city, and its historic center, with its colorful colonial buildings and bustling Zócalo, reflects its deep historical roots. Visitors can explore the impressive San Juan de Ulúa Fortress, a massive colonial-era fort that once served as a prison and a key military base.

San Pedro de Atacama, a small town in northern Chile, sits at over 2,400 meters above sea level in one of the most geologically diverse areas on Earth. Surrounded by volcanoes, salt flats, geysers, and ancient lava flows, it has long served as a gateway to the Atacama Desert. This desert is the driest non-polar place in the world, where some weather stations have never recorded rainfall.

Monterrey, the capital of Nuevo León, stands at the foot of the Sierra Madre Oriental and has long been recognized as one of Mexico’s most industrial and innovative cities. The Macroplaza is one of the largest public squares in Latin America and links historic buildings like the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral with newer sites like the Museo de Historia Mexicana and the Faro del Comercio, a towering orange structure that beams a green laser across the sky each night.

Mbabane, the capital of Eswatini, sits high in the Mdzimba Mountains, offering visitors fresh air, rolling green hills, and a relaxed pace of life.

Lincoln, Nebraska, blends college-town spirit with prairie roots, offering a travel experience that’s both laid-back and surprising. As the state capital, Lincoln is home to the stunning Nebraska State Capitol building, an architectural landmark with a 400-foot tower topped by a bronze sower casting seeds over the land. Visitors can tour the building and ride to the 14th floor observation deck for sweeping views of the city and surrounding plains.