Monteverde, located in the Tilarán Mountains of northwestern Costa Rica, is known for its cloud forests, winding trails, and biodiversity that has drawn researchers and travelers for decades. The area was settled in the 1950s by Quakers from the United States who were looking for a peaceful place to raise dairy cattle. They also played a major role in preserving the local ecosystem, helping to establish the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in 1972.
Palenque, nestled in the lush jungles of Chiapas, Mexico, offers an enthralling glimpse into the grandeur of the ancient Maya civilization. The city is renowned for its well-preserved ruins, which include the majestic Temple of the Inscriptions, where the tomb of the ruler Pakal the Great was discovered in 1952.
Manzanillo, located on Mexico’s Pacific coast, is a port city known for its beautiful beaches, excellent seafood, and world-class fishing. It is one of the country’s busiest ports, and is often called the "Sailfish Capital of the World."
Port Moresby sits by the Coral Sea as Papua New Guinea’s capital and shows visitors a city of contrasts where glittering new buildings rise beside traditional villages built on stilts. One such place is Hanuabada, the original Motuan village, where roofs reach above water’s edge and everyday life still unfolds in Tok Pisin and local tongue.
Guernsey, the second-largest of the Channel Islands, blends coastal landscapes with a deep-rooted history shaped by centuries of outside influence. Though located closer to France than to mainland Britain, Guernsey is a British Crown Dependency with its own government and a distinct identity. The capital, St Peter Port, is a hillside town overlooking a natural harbor, where visitors can explore narrow lanes, stone stairways, and 18th-century buildings.