In Cyprus, travelers are immersed in a culture that draws on Europe, the Middle East, and 9000 years of constant invasion. Crusader castles rub shoulders with ancient vineyards, frescoed monasteries overlook citrus orchards, and sandy, sun-soaked feet tread Roman mosaic floors.

Wick’s location at the mouth of the River Wick provides a dramatic coastal setting, with cliffs, sandy beaches, and the North Sea stretching into the horizon.

Ankara, the capital of Turkey, sits on the Anatolian plateau and reflects the country’s layered history more quietly than Istanbul, yet with equal depth. Once an important settlement for the Hittites, Phrygians, Romans, and Byzantines, Ankara rose to national prominence in the 20th century when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk chose it as the heart of the modern Turkish Republic. Today, it functions as Turkey’s political center while preserving traces of its ancient and Ottoman past.

Zimbabwe, located in the heart of Southern Africa, is a country defined by dramatic landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. The country’s diverse geography includes sweeping savannas, lush national parks, and striking mountain ranges.

This southern Mexican state borders Guatemala. Its mountainous highlands and dense rainforest are dotted with several Mayan archaeological sites and Spanish colonial towns.