Shanghai is a city where contrasting timelines meet at every corner. Once a small fishing village along the Huangpu River, it grew rapidly during the 19th century into a major trading port. Today, its skyline tells a story of that transformation. On one side, the Bund’s colonial-era buildings stand tall in limestone and granite; on the other, the futuristic towers of Pudong, like the Shanghai Tower and Jin Mao, stretch into the clouds.

Pula, a historic city located on the Istrian Peninsula in Croatia, is renowned for its impressive Roman heritage and vibrant cultural scene. The city's centerpiece is the Pula Arena, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. This monumental structure, built in the 1st century AD, offers visitors a glimpse into ancient spectacles and gladiatorial contests. Today, it hosts various events, including concerts and film festivals.

Sandakan, on the northeast coast of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, is a city where history, wildlife, and culture come together. Once a major trading port known as “Little Hong Kong” for its bustling connections to the wider world, Sandakan has retained its multicultural character, with influences from Chinese, Malay, and Indigenous communities visible in its temples, markets, and cuisine.

The Mara River in Tanzania is a natural wonder that draws adventurers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Flowing through the heart of the Serengeti and into Kenya’s Maasai Mara, this river is best known as the lifeblood of the Great Migration. Each year, from July to October, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles make a perilous crossing of the Mara. It’s a spectacle of nature that leaves visitors in awe, making it one of Africa’s most sought-after safari experiences.

This Sicily harbor city is divided from Italy proper by the Strait of Messina. Visitors marvel at the Gothic, bell-towered Norman Messina Cathedral.