Baddeck sits along the calm waters of the Bras d’Or Lake on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, a village with deep roots and stories to tell. Its name comes from an Indigenous word thought to mean “place with an island near,” a nod to nearby Kidston Island and the long history of the Mi’kmaq people in the area. A highlight for many visitors is the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, where the legacy of one of history’s most inventive minds comes alive.

Olympic National Park occupies Washington State’s remote northwest corner, shaped by isolation and ecological range rather than a single defining feature.

Évora, in Portugal’s Alentejo region, feels like stepping into a story that spans more than two thousand years. Its Historic Centre was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason with its ancient walls, homes with wrought-iron balconies, and narrow streets quietly preserve traces of Roman, Moorish, and medieval life. Beyond architecture and monuments, Évora reveals lesser-known treasures that reward exploration.

Siem Reap is best known as the gateway to Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire, but the town itself offers far more than a launching point for temple exploration. Located in northwestern Cambodia, Siem Reap balances centuries-old traditions with a rapidly evolving cultural scene. Its streets are lined with colonial-era buildings, Buddhist pagodas, bustling markets, and open-air cafés.

The Cook Islands, a group of 15 islands scattered across the South Pacific, offer a rare blend of Polynesian tradition and laid-back island charm. Rarotonga, the largest and most visited island, is ringed by a turquoise lagoon and backed by lush mountains. Visitors can circle the entire island in under an hour, stopping along the way for fresh coconut, beachside cafés, or a quick swim in the clear lagoon.