Gokyo is a small settlement high in Nepal’s Khumbu region, set beside a chain of turquoise glacial lakes beneath the Himalaya. Its significance is closely tied to trans-Himalayan trade routes and to Sherpa culture, which has adapted over generations to life at extreme altitude.

Keauhou, located on the Kona Coast of Hawai‘i Island, is recognized as the birthplace of King Kamehameha III, and many nearby sites still reflect its royal past.

Launceston is a city in northern Tasmania, Australia, positioned where the Tamar, North Esk, and South Esk rivers meet. It serves as one of the island’s main urban centers and is known for its well-preserved streetscapes, public parks, and proximity to agricultural regions.

Natchez is a river city in southwestern Mississippi overlooking the Mississippi River bluffs near the Louisiana border. It is recognized for its large collection of preserved antebellum homes, brick streets, and long connection to river trade.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a city where centuries-old adobe architecture, desert landscapes, and modern innovation meet beneath some of the clearest skies in the country. Every October, Albuquerque becomes the site of one of the most photographed events in the world: the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. For nine crisp mornings, hundreds of hot air balloons rise over the city, painting the sky in brilliant colors and wild shapes with everything from farm animals to space aliens.