Quetzaltenango, often called Xela by locals, is Guatemala’s second-largest city and a hub of indigenous culture, colonial history, and highland landscapes. Surrounded by volcanoes, including the towering Santa María, the city sits at over 7,600 feet above sea level, giving it a crisp mountain climate that contrasts with the country’s tropical lowlands.

A lesser-known river port in the Mekong Delta, Sa Dec was once the capital of Dong Thap province of southern Vietnam. Today, it is best known for its flower gardens and authentic bustling market. The city is also famous as the setting for French writer Marguerite Duras' 1984 novel, The Lover, and its 1991 film adaptation of the same name.

This quaint port city is breathtakingly beautiful! Surrounded by peaks, Seward fjords are the perfect whale and porpoise habitat, and both seals and puffins fill the Alaska SeaLife Center. Those looking for a challenge can hike the western trail to the summit of Mount Marathon.

Lihue, the main town on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, blends administrative importance with island charm. As the county seat, it’s the hub of government and commerce, but it also serves as the welcoming gateway for travelers arriving at Lihue Airport or through its nearby harbor.

In the heart of Zambia lies Livingstone, a city that serves as the gateway to one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world: Victoria Falls. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, often referred to as "The Smoke That Thunders," is renowned for its breathtakingly powerful waterfalls on the Zambezi River. The falls, which span over 1,700 meters wide and plunge 108 meters deep, offer a mesmerizing display of nature's might.