French Guiana, tucked between Brazil and Suriname on the northeast coast of South America, offers an unexpected blend of Amazonian wilderness, colonial intrigue, and French flair. As an overseas department of France, it uses the euro, speaks French, and has croissants alongside cassava bread at breakfast. Yet just beyond the cafés of Cayenne, vast rainforest stretches for hundreds of kilometers, home to rare wildlife, remote rivers, and Indigenous communities.

Santa Cruz de La Palma is the capital of the island of La Palma, one of the seven Canary Islands. Although often forgotten in favor of the similarly named Santa Cruz de Tenerife, it is a compact and colorful colonial town well worth a visit. Swimming, paragliding, and hiking and some of the most popular daytime activities, while stargazing is a favorite pastime after the sun goes down.

Nosy Be, often called the “Perfume Island” due to its fragrant ylang-ylang trees, is Madagascar’s largest and most popular tourist destination. Situated off the northwest coast of Madagascar, this tropical paradise boasts powdery white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and lush inland rainforests, making it an idyllic escape for beach lovers, nature enthusiasts, and adventure seekers alike. Nosy Be is renowned for its stunning marine life.

The most heavily populated of the Hawaiian islands, Oahu is known as the Gathering Place. Two parallel mountain ranges, the Koolau Range and the Waianae Range, cross Oahu from northwest to southeast. . Among the many popular beaches is the renowned Waikiki, backed by the famous Diamond Head, an extinct volcano.

Kalsoy is a narrow, mountainous island in the northern Faroe Islands, known for its steep eastern cliffs, deep valleys, and small settlements along the western side. The island is reached by ferry from Klaksvík, and its road passes through several short tunnels as it connects the villages of Húsar, Mikladalur, and Trøllanes. Much of Kalsoy remains open pasture and rugged mountain terrain, with the sea visible from almost every part of the island.