Travelers on the Arabian Sea often find themselves in Muscat, on the Gulf of Oman. This port capital is situated between ocean and mountains, and boasts lovely beaches, great diving sites (watch for turtles!), 16th-century forts, and the impressive Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which can hold 20,000 people.

Cape Peninsula is the mountainous, coastal region extending south from Cape Town into the Atlantic Ocean and False Bay. Its landscape combines Table Mountain, rocky headlands, sandy beaches, forests, and open fynbos-covered slopes. Table Mountain National Park runs along much of the peninsula, protecting the mountain chain and coastline from Signal Hill to Cape Point.

Madurai is a major city in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, known for its long-standing role as a center of religion, trade, and learning. Set along the Vaigai River, it has grown into a busy urban area while retaining a strong connection to its temple-centered layout.

Batumi is the capital of Georgia's Adjara region, located on the Black Sea coast in the country's southwest. The city combines a seaside setting with subtropical vegetation and the mountains of Adjara rising inland. Its urban landscape includes historic streets, European-style squares, modern towers, and a long coastal boulevard.

The Loire Valley stretches along the gentle curves of France’s longest river, a place where riverside towns, historic estates and vineyards have shaped daily life for centuries. This long stretch of landscape was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its remarkable cultural landscape, which includes towns like Tours, Blois, Amboise and Saumur and a tapestry of castles standing beside the river banks.