Sierra Leone, on the coast of West Africa, is a country of striking contrasts, where white-sand beaches meet green mountains and vibrant cities. Its Atlantic shoreline stretches for miles, offering quiet escapes as well as lively coastal communities.

Grenoble sits at the meeting point of three Alpine mountain ranges in southeastern France, giving it a setting that feels both dramatic and lived-in. With origins dating back to Roman times, the city has long been a crossroads of trade, science, and political thought.

Montenegro, set along the Adriatic Sea, draws travelers with its dramatic landscapes and layered history. The Bay of Kotor, often mistaken for a fjord, is actually a submerged river canyon surrounded by steep cliffs and medieval towns. Kotor itself, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is enclosed by ancient fortifications that visitors can climb for panoramic views stretching from terracotta rooftops to the sea.

Plan to spend at least a full day in downtown Gatlinburg exploring the hundreds of gift and craft shops, and dozens of family entertainment attractions such as the "Sweet Fanny Adams" Theater and Elwood Smooch's Hillbilly Hoedown. For a totally different experience, ride the world's larges tramway to Ober Gatlinburg featuring year round skking, ice skating, and ski lift rides...

The Olympic Peninsula occupies the far northwest corner of Washington State, where mountains, rainforest, and coastline meet within a relatively compact area.