Rising along the border of Nepal and Tibet, Mount Everest stands as the highest point on Earth, reaching over 29,000 feet into the sky. Known locally as Sagarmatha, meaning “Peak of Heaven,” and Chomolungma, meaning “Goddess Mother of the World,” the mountain carries deep spiritual meaning for the communities that live in its shadow. Its summit sits in air so thin that oxygen levels are only a fraction of what travelers experience at sea level.

Keswick is an attractive small town, centrally situated in the northern half of the Lake District and close to the border with Scotland. Easily accessible by road and rail this compact region of less than 200 square miles contains the best of lake and mountain landscapes.

Located next to the Kander River, with miles of well-marked hiking trails amid breathtaking scenery.

Esperance sits on the southern coast of Western Australia, where wide blue seas meet miles of white sand beaches and rocky headlands. The coastal town grew from pearling and pastoral beginnings into a laid-back seaside destination with a backdrop of rugged terrain and ocean views.

Australia’s Port Douglas is a tropical escape tucked between two natural wonders: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.