The capital, 450-year-old Asuncion ("Mother of Cities") merits a visit of unhurried nights - that way, you'll have time to sit in the main square and people-watch. The shopping in this grand city of 729,000 is the finest the country offers, and the cathedral and archaeological museum are both highlights. The governmental architecture is interesting; don't miss the Congressional Palace, Customs House and Government Palace (in the style of the Louvre).

San Juan del Sur is a coastal town on Nicaragua's southwestern Pacific shore, set around a curved bay bordered by hills. Its waterfront combines a working fishing community with restaurants, small hotels, shops, and a broad sandy beach. The surrounding coastline includes forested headlands, rocky coves, and additional beaches reached by road or boat.

Kylemore, Ireland, sits quietly amidst the mountains and lakes of Connemara, offering visitors a blend of history and scenic views that feels both grand and intimate. The village is best known for Kylemore Abbey, a striking structure set against the backdrop of rolling hills and reflective waters. Visitors approaching the estate are greeted by formal gardens and woodland trails, where the reflections of the abbey shimmer in the calm lake.

Ballena Bay is a coastal community in southern Costa Rica's Puntarenas Province, located along the Pacific coast near Uvita. The area is closely associated with Marino Ballena National Park, a protected marine and coastal landscape extending along about 15 kilometers of shoreline. Ballena Bay is surrounded by tropical forest, sandy beaches, rocky shores, mangroves, and offshore formations.

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s premier tourist route, offering a breathtaking journey through some of the country’s most iconic natural wonders. The route typically starts in Reykjavik and circles through Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. At Þingvellir, visitors can stand where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and explore the site of the world’s oldest parliament, established in 930 AD.