Kentucky is known worldwide for the Kentucky Derby, but there’s far more to this southern state than fast horses and fancy hats. Louisville, the largest city, pairs old-world charm with modern energy. Visitors can stroll along Museum Row on Main to explore the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory or dive into boxing history at the Muhammad Ali Center, dedicated to the life and legacy of the Louisville-born champion.

Visit the ancient city of Memphis and take in the wonders of the recumbent statue of Ramses II and the 80-ton Alabaster Sphinx.

A relatively recent addition to Costa Rica's list of national parks is Tenorio Volcano National Park, home to its namesake Tenorio Volcano as well as its taller sister, Miravalles Volcano, also the highest mountain in the Guanacaste Mountains.

Lake Issyk is a mountain lake in southeastern Kazakhstan, located in a gorge of the Trans-Ili Alatau about 60 kilometers east of Almaty. The lake lies at roughly 1,800 meters above sea level within the Ile-Alatau National Park and is surrounded by steep rocky slopes, coniferous forests, and alpine meadows.

As the capital of the Ben Tre Province, the city of Ben Tre is located in southern Vietnam on the Mekong Delta. Connected to other provinces by a network of bridges, the town draws less tourist traffic than nearby My Tho and Tra Vinh.