Oxford is best known for its world-famous university, but the city offers much more than historic college halls and ivory towers. Its skyline, shaped by spires and domes, hints at centuries of intellectual life. The University of Oxford dates back to at least the 12th century and includes iconic buildings like the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and the Radcliffe Camera, a circular reading room that looks more like a cathedral than a place for quiet study.

Riomaggiore, a charming village in Italy's famed Cinque Terre, is a gem of the Ligurian coast. With its colorful houses cascading down steep cliffs towards the azure Mediterranean, this picturesque town offers a postcard-perfect escape. Founded in the 13th century, Riomaggiore is rich in history, with medieval churches like the Church of San Giovanni Battista, built in 1340, reflecting its ancient past.

Whitehorse is the territorial capital of this Canadian site of the 1898 gold rush. It consists mostly of rural towns, where the main industries are mining and tourism. It is a land of forests, rivers and tall mountain ranges covering a total of 207,075 sq. miles.

Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, sits along the Danube River at the crossroads of Central Europe. It's the only capital in the world bordering Austria and Hungary, which makes it an easy stop on many European itineraries. Yet Bratislava is more than a waypoint; it offers a compact city center filled with centuries of history. The Old Town’s cobbled lanes lead past Gothic cathedrals, Baroque palaces, and buildings once used by Habsburg royalty.

Rovaniemi, located just a few kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, is widely recognized as the official hometown of Santa Claus. From late August through early April, the Northern Lights are visible on clear nights, and several local guides offer nighttime tours to remote locations for optimal viewing. During summer, the sun doesn't set for weeks, giving travelers the rare chance to hike or kayak under a sky that stays bright at midnight.