San Pedro de Atacama, a small town in northern Chile, sits at over 2,400 meters above sea level in one of the most geologically diverse areas on Earth. Surrounded by volcanoes, salt flats, geysers, and ancient lava flows, it has long served as a gateway to the Atacama Desert. This desert is the driest non-polar place in the world, where some weather stations have never recorded rainfall.

Argostoli sits on the west coast of Kefalonia, Greece’s largest Ionian Island, where a natural harbor meets the Koutavos Lagoon and a waterfront lined with cafés, tavernas, and shops. As the island’s capital, Argostoli blends everyday island life with moments of surprise, from sea turtles surfacing by fishing boats at dawn to historic sites hidden among palm trees and pedestrian streets.

Altun Ha, where archaeologists found a nine-pound jade carving among these ruins, the largest ever uncovered in a Mayan civilation.

Unawatuna lies along Sri Lanka’s southern coast, shaped by maritime trade, colonial encounters, and a long relationship with the sea. Once a small fishing village, it developed near historic Galle and reflects layers of Portuguese, Dutch, and British influence that passed through the region.

Amarante, located in Portugal’s northern region of Tâmega e Sousa, sits quietly along the banks of the Tâmega River, framed by stone bridges, historic churches, and lush hills. The city is best known for its connection to São Gonçalo, a 13th-century monk whose name now graces the arched bridge and the grand convent-church that stands beside it.