João Pessoa is the capital of Paraíba on Brazil’s northeastern coast, with an urban landscape that extends from the historic center to a long Atlantic waterfront. Its beaches include Tambaú, Manaíra, Cabo Branco, and Bessa, while the Sanhauá River borders the older part of the city. João Pessoa is also known for its abundant public greenery, including parks, tree-lined areas, and the Jardim Botânico Benjamim Maranhão.

Brasília may be a World Heritage Site, but it is only of interest to town planning and architecture students, and those keen to witness the folly of man on a metropolitan scale. It must have looked good on paper, and still looks good in photos, but in the flesh, forget it. Designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, urban planner Lucio Costa, and landscape architect Burle Marx, the city was built in an incredible three years between 1957 and 1960.

Durango, located in north-central Mexico, is a destination rich in history, dramatic landscapes, and cultural traditions that date back centuries. Once a key outpost during Spanish colonization, Durango played an important role in the development of northern Mexico. The city of Victoria de Durango, the state capital, features cobblestone streets and more than 1,000 officially registered historical structures.

Ankara, the capital of Turkey, sits on the Anatolian plateau and reflects the country’s layered history more quietly than Istanbul, yet with equal depth. Once an important settlement for the Hittites, Phrygians, Romans, and Byzantines, Ankara rose to national prominence in the 20th century when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk chose it as the heart of the modern Turkish Republic. Today, it functions as Turkey’s political center while preserving traces of its ancient and Ottoman past.

Situated on the Yangzte River, this is the provincial capital of the port of embarcation and debarcation for Yangzte River cruises. East Lake Park, Yellow Crane Tower, Guiyuan Temple, Hongshan Pagoda are some of the attractions.