Nestled in the mountains just 90 minutes from Tokyo, Hakone has long been a retreat for travelers seeking both quiet and culture. Once a crucial checkpoint on the historic Tōkaidō road between Edo and Kyoto, Hakone is still shaped by centuries of history. The reconstructed Hakone Sekisho (Hakone Checkpoint) offers a glimpse into the Edo Period, when travelers were inspected by samurai guards before continuing on their journey.
Hong Kong is one of the few places in the world where a 700-year-old fishing village sits minutes away from the headquarters of international banks. Once a British colony and now a Special Administrative Region of China, the city carries traces of Cantonese, colonial, and global influences in its streets, rituals, and food. The city has more than 300 hiking trails, including the well-known Lion Rock hike, which ends at a dramatic cliff overlooking Kowloon’s dense skyline.
This city is the last stop on one of the busiest artificial waterways in the world, the Kiel Canal. It is an important base for the German Navy and famous for its international sailing event, the "Kieler Woche", an annual sailing event that attracts millions of people around the world.
Reynosa, located along the northern border of Tamaulipas, is a city shaped by its position as a cultural and economic bridge between Mexico and the United States. Founded in 1749, Reynosa has grown into a vital manufacturing and trade center, but it also holds onto traditions that reflect both its regional roots and binational influences. The Plaza Principal is a popular gathering spot, often hosting live music and seasonal festivals.
Ronda, perched high above the El Tajo gorge in southern Spain’s Málaga province, offers one of the most dramatic landscapes in Andalusia. The city is split in two by a 120-meter-deep canyon carved by the Guadalevín River, and connected by the iconic Puente Nuevo, an 18th-century stone bridge that took over 40 years to complete. Visitors crossing the bridge can stop at the viewpoint built into the stone itself, once used as a prison.