Manaus, capital of Brazil’s Amazonas state, is a city that rises unexpectedly from the rainforest. Once the center of the global rubber boom in the late 1800s, Manaus still holds onto that legacy with surprising elegance. The Teatro Amazonas, an opulent opera house imported piece by piece from Europe, sits at the heart of the city, its pink façade and domed roof tiled in the colors of the Brazilian flag. Today, it hosts concerts, festivals, and curious visitors eager to step back in time.

Trier, Germany’s oldest city, is a living museum nestled in the Moselle Valley, where Roman ruins rise beside medieval churches and bustling market squares. Founded by the Romans in 16 BCE, Trier was once known as “Roma Secunda,” the second Rome, and still boasts the largest collection of Roman architecture north of the Alps. The Trier Cathedral (Dom St. Peter), which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the oldest church in Germany and houses a relic said to be the Holy Robe of Christ.

Perched at the meeting point of Lake Como’s three branches, Bellagio is often called the “Pearl of Lake Como” for its spectacular setting and timeless elegance. This Italian village has been a retreat for centuries, drawing poets, aristocrats, and travelers alike with its harmonious blend of natural beauty, refined architecture, and relaxed sophistication.

Surrounded by dramatic Alpine scenery, Saxon has long been known for its orchards and vineyards, benefitting from the region’s sunny microclimate.

Lake Havasu City rises from the Mojave Desert along the shores of Lake Havasu, a broad reservoir on the Colorado River that draws visitors with its radiant blue water and warm sunshine nearly all year. The most famous landmark here is the London Bridge, a granite-clad structure that once spanned the River Thames in England. This iconic span now connects the mainland to an island filled with shops, restaurants, and resorts, inviting visitors to stroll beneath its arches.