El Calafate, a small town in southern Patagonia, serves as the main gateway to one of Argentina’s most spectacular natural wonders, the Los Glaciares National Park. Sitting on the shores of Lake Argentino, El Calafate was once a quiet outpost known mainly for sheep farming and the hardy calafate berry. Today, it attracts travelers from around the world who come to witness massive ice formations and the shifting blue walls of nearby glaciers.

Bodø, located just north of the Arctic Circle, is a coastal city where dramatic landscapes meet a surprising blend of modern culture and outdoor access. As the largest town in the Nordland region of Norway, Bodø has become a key stop along the Norwegian Scenic Route and a gateway to the Lofoten Islands. Located just a short drive away, the Saltstraumen maelstrom, which is one of the world’s strongest tidal currents, visitors can watch whirlpools form in the sea with astonishing power.

The capital of eastern Morocco, Oujda stands on the border with Algeria. Its privileged geographic position makes it a center for Maghreb tourism and a meeting point of routes between Morocco and other North African countries. Many streams run from the northern slopes to irrigate the well-kept gardens and orchards. Crossing these imposing mountains affords a magnificent panoramic view of Oujda.

Blair Atholl, a village in the heart of Highland Perthshire, Scotland, is best known as the home of Blair Castle, a striking white-walled fortress that has stood for over seven centuries.

Cut length wise by the Turkish/Greek border, the island of Cyprus leads two lives. The Turkish side is traditional and Islamic, while the Greek side is a very modern vacation destination.