Elephant Island, a remote outcrop off the coast of Antarctica, is not your average travel destination. Known for its dramatic cliffs, towering glaciers, and wild, ice-laced seas, this island is both stark and unforgettable. Located 245 kilometers northeast of the Antarctic Peninsula, Elephant Island is rarely visited except by specialized expedition cruises.

Hvar is a resort town and island off the coast of Croatia. A tourist destination with spectacular views of the Adriatic Sea, Hvar is popular for its beaches and is a favorite port for yacht cruises.

Dominica, known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” is a haven for eco-tourists and adventure seekers. Nestled between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, this lush island boasts a remarkable landscape of volcanic mountains, dense rainforests, and stunning waterfalls. Dominica’s most iconic natural wonder is the Boiling Lake, the second-largest hot spring in the world.

Belém do Pará sits at the edge of the Amazon, where river and bay meet in a landscape with activity and color. The Ver-o-Peso Market spreads along Guajará Bay, welcoming early morning boats laden with fresh fish, herbs, fruits, and Amazonian goods. Recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy, the local cuisine marries Indigenous, Portuguese, and African traditions to create dishes found nowhere else.

Nuwara Eliya sits high in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, above the plains at nearly 1,900 meters, with a climate that remains refreshingly mild year-round, which is a sharp contrast to the tropical warmth found elsewhere on the island. For those looking to explore the outdoors, Lake Gregory has long been a place for boating, walking, and watching the mist drift across the water at dawn.