Malacca, also known as Melaka, sits along Malaysia’s west coast and is one of Southeast Asia’s most historically layered cities.

Puerto Peñasco, also known as Rocky Point, rests along the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez in northern Sonora, Mexico. Along its shoreline, Sandy Beach draws visitors with long stretches of walkable sand and calm water, while Playa Hermosa and Playa Mirador offer quieter spots where tide pools appear as the sea pulls back. Boat rides to Bird Island, also known as Isla San Jorge, provide a rare chance to see large colonies of sea lions resting on rocky ledges.

Hong Kong is one of the few places in the world where a 700-year-old fishing village sits minutes away from the headquarters of international banks. Once a British colony and now a Special Administrative Region of China, the city carries traces of Cantonese, colonial, and global influences in its streets, rituals, and food. The city has more than 300 hiking trails, including the well-known Lion Rock hike, which ends at a dramatic cliff overlooking Kowloon’s dense skyline.

Marina del Rey is a coastal community in Los Angeles County, California, centered on one of the largest artificial small-craft harbors in North America. Located beside Santa Monica Bay, the area combines a network of marina basins with residential buildings, restaurants, parks, and waterfront paths. Its position between Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean makes it closely connected to the wider Southern California coastline.

Just outside of Tucson lies Saguaro National Park, which is home to hundreds of saguaro cacti, the iconic symbol of the old West. There are endless scenic hikes and wildlife habitats, and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum isn't to be missed. The star of the park, of course, are the cacti themselves, and there are few more beautiful sights than seeing them silhouetted against the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.