Lukla, a mountain town perched at 2,860 meters in eastern Nepal, is best known as the gateway to the Everest region. The town is home to Tenzing-Hillary Airport, one of the world’s most thrilling landing strips, named after the legendary climbers who first reached Everest’s summit in 1953. The short, sloped runway hugs the mountain, offering a once-in-a-lifetime arrival that travelers remember long after their journey ends.

Off the coast of Ecuador, the iconic and biodiverse Galápagos Islands, made famous by Charles Darwin’s nineteenth-century research expeditions on HMS Beagle, beckon you. This glittering archipelago, surrounded by vivid turquoise waves, abounds with stunning beaches and spectacular wildlife, perfect for the adventurous traveler.

Antiquity is everywhere on the island of Rhodes, from its cobbled Old Town to a mighty acropolis presiding high over the town of Lindos. Ancient ruins recall Crusades-era occupation and Ottoman tyranny, but today, a rather magical Aegean lifestyle is predominant. Travelers will enjoy excellent food, picturesque beaches, buzzing nightlife, and snorkeling in clear waters.

Oklahoma City stands at the crossroads of Western tradition and modern energy. It’s a place where cowboy boots walk into sleek coffee shops, and horse shows take place just a few miles from contemporary art galleries. A good starting point is the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, home to one of the largest collections of Western art and artifacts in the world.

Sucre, Bolivia’s constitutional capital, is a city steeped in history and colonial charm. Founded in the 16th century by the Spanish, it played a pivotal role in South America’s independence movements, earning its place as the birthplace of the Bolivian Republic.