Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, is a city that blends the desert’s quiet rhythms with the daily life of a growing urban center. Its coastal setting, unique cultural traditions, and access to the desert make Nouakchott both an introduction to Mauritania and a gateway to exploring the country further.

The turnoff for Locarno is located near Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino. By train, Locarno is well served from Zurich and Milan, as it is by road. Lovers of beautiful landscapes starting out from Geneva and Lausanne owe it to themselves to pass through Simplon and the Centovalli by taking the picturesque little train that links Domodossola to Locarno.

Warnemunde (or Warnemünde) is a port city in Germany and a frequent stop on many Northern European cruises. Across the Baltic Sea from Denmark's capital, Copenhagen, this charming seaside city has a number of delightful attractions, including the Warnemünde Lighthouse, a variety of local shops along the marina, and surfing lessons on the beach.

Douglas Island is a forested island in the Alexander Archipelago of southeastern Alaska, separated from Juneau by Gastineau Channel. Although geographically an island, it is closely connected to Juneau by the Juneau-Douglas Bridge and functions as part of the capital city’s wider urban area. The community of Douglas occupies the island’s southern end, while much of the remaining landscape consists of dense coastal forest, steep hills, streams, and rocky shoreline.

Tissamaharama, often called “Tissa” by seasoned travelers, sits in southern Sri Lanka as a town steeped in history and living culture. Once the capital of the ancient Ruhuna Kingdom in the 3rd century BCE, this settlement still radiates stories from the distant past in its temples, reservoirs, and even the streets where market life unfolds each day.