Santander, the capital of Spain’s Cantabria region, sits along the Bay of Biscay and offers travelers a mix of coastline, culture, and history shaped by centuries of maritime life. Once a bustling port for Castilian exports, Santander saw its golden age in the 19th century when Spanish royalty turned it into a summer retreat. The legacy of that era remains visible at the Palacio de la Magdalena, perched on a peninsula with views of the sea and home to royal stables, a mini zoo, and guided tours.

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is one of India’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, where ancient temples stand alongside colonial-era architecture and modern skyscrapers. Originally known as Madras, the city grew around Fort St. George, built by the British East India Company in 1644. One of Chennai’s most well-known features is Marina Beach, which stretches for over 13 kilometers and is among the longest urban beaches in the world.

Welcome to Christchurch, a picturesque city with English heritage. Here, the new mixes with the old in enchanting ways, with edgy modern architecture and old buildings sitting side by side

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is a city where history, culture, and riverside life intersect. Situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, the city has a lively riverfront that serves as both a social gathering place and a hub for commerce.

Seven miles outside of historic Athens, the Greek coastal city of Piraeus lies upon the sparkling waters of the Aegean Sea and is the largest passenger port in Europe, servicing nearly 20 million passengers per year.