Khao Lak rests quietly along Thailand’s Andaman coastline, about an hour north of Phuket, yet it feels worlds apart. This stretch of shoreline runs for miles, with wide sandy beaches that often seem almost untouched. The name itself comes from the nearby mountain that rises behind the coast, giving the area a dramatic backdrop where forest meets sea.

Hermanus is a coastal town in the Western Cape, set along Walker Bay between the Kleinrivier Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. It is best known for its land-based whale watching, with southern right whales regularly entering the sheltered waters of the bay. The town combines a compact centre with a long coastal cliff path, beaches, coves, and residential areas extending along the shoreline.

Siyazan is a small city and district in northern Azerbaijan, located along the Caspian Sea north of Baku. The area combines a dry semi-desert landscape with coastal plains, low mountains, sparse woodland, and the Gilgilchay and Atachay rivers. Its setting makes Siyazan a useful base for exploring several natural and archaeological sites in the surrounding region.

Serengeti, Tanzania, is a jewel of the African continent, renowned for its spectacular wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. This iconic destination is synonymous with the Great Migration, one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events. Each year, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles traverse the Serengeti’s vast plains in search of fresh grazing grounds, creating a dramatic and unforgettable spectacle.

Suriname’s forests cover more than nine‑tenths of the country and house an astounding array of wildlife. The Central Suriname Nature Reserve, one of the largest rainforest sanctuaries on Earth, shelters jaguars, giant river otters, and hundreds of bird species. Nearer the capital, Brownsberg Nature Park offers forest trails and waterfalls amid 1,450 plant and 350 bird species, just a short drive from Paramaribo.