Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Lahaina, Maui is the former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and was once the site of a whaling village. This popular tourist destination is now a cultural center perfect for fine dining, visiting Hawaiian art galleries, whale watching, and immersing yourself in this region's rich history.

Montgomery, capital of Alabama and seat of Montgomery County, a port on the Alabama River, in the central part of the state. Montgomery is the site of Alabama State University (1874), Auburn University at Montgomery (1967), Huntingdon College (1854), Troy State University at Montgomery (1966), Faulken University (1942), and a junior college.

Kentucky is known worldwide for the Kentucky Derby, but there’s far more to this southern state than fast horses and fancy hats. Louisville, the largest city, pairs old-world charm with modern energy. Visitors can stroll along Museum Row on Main to explore the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory or dive into boxing history at the Muhammad Ali Center, dedicated to the life and legacy of the Louisville-born champion.

Qingdao, also Tsingtao or Ch'ing-tao, Shandong Province, eastern China. It is a major naval base, an industrial center, and a port on the Yellow Sea at the entrance to sheltered Jiaozhou Bay. The port, which rarely freezes over, serves the industrialized northern China Plain and was expanded in 1976 to include an oil terminal for large tankers on Huang Island. The leading manufactures of the city include textiles, railroad equipment, rubber goods, fertilizer, and chemicals.

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.