Amantani is an island in Lake Titicaca, Peru, known for its high-altitude landscapes, agricultural terraces, and Quechua-speaking communities. Located in the lake’s Peruvian waters, the island is home to small settlements spread across hillsides that rise above the water. Unlike larger lakeside destinations, Amantani has few paved roads and no major commercial center, so daily life remains closely connected to farming, weaving, and community activities.

Maui, both second youngest and second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, is home to the world's largest dormant volcano, Haleakala, meaning "House of the Sun." Last erupting about 200 years ago, it makes up the eastern end of the island. Maui was formed by volcanic activity from Haleakala on the east and the West Maui Mountains to the west. The connecting isthmus between the two spots was formed from joining lava from both and gives Maui its nickname, the Valley Isle.

A lesser-known river port in the Mekong Delta, Sa Dec was once the capital of Dong Thap province of southern Vietnam. Today, it is best known for its flower gardens and authentic bustling market. The city is also famous as the setting for French writer Marguerite Duras' 1984 novel, The Lover, and its 1991 film adaptation of the same name.

Riga, the vibrant capital of Latvia, offers a captivating blend of medieval charm and contemporary energy. Founded in 1201, Riga’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a treasure trove of stunning architecture and historical landmarks. Wander through its cobblestone streets to admire the intricately carved facades of buildings like the House of the Blackheads, a striking 14th-century guildhall that epitomizes Riga's rich merchant history.

This is the most Moorish part of Portugal, the rich plain south of the Serra do Caldeirao, scalloped by the beaches and headlands of the Algarve. It is where, in early spring, blossoming almond trees carpet the still-brown hillsides with drifts of snow-like flowers, and the plain white facades of little houses are topped by intricately pierced chimneys that look like ice-cream cones.