Dotted with lighthouses along its shoreline, Portland, Maine is a coastal gem in the northeastern United States and a veritable paradise for lovers of fresh seafood, craft breweries, and small-town charm. At the center of downtown Portland, the Old Port neighborhood boasts a number of unique and historical buildings, trendy restaurants and bars, and picturesque views of the Portland Harbor.

Butre is a small coastal village in Ghana’s Western Region, set around the Butre River near the Atlantic Ocean. Its landscape combines a fishing settlement, forested hills, wetlands, and a broad sandy shoreline. The village is known especially for Fort Batenstein, which stands on a hill overlooking the coast and the surrounding countryside. Fishing remains an important part of local life, while the nearby river creates a sheltered setting for small boats and canoes.

Mapungubwe National Park lies in Limpopo province at the meeting point of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, where South Africa borders Botswana and Zimbabwe. Its landscape combines open savanna, sandstone cliffs, baobab trees, riverine woodland, and rocky hills. The park forms part of the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its archaeological and cultural importance.

Saltillo, the capital of Coahuila, blends centuries of tradition with a quiet confidence that rewards travelers looking for something different. Founded in 1577, the city’s colonial heritage is on full display in its well-preserved downtown, where the Catedral de Santiago towers above Plaza de Armas. Just steps away, the Alameda Zaragoza park offers shaded paths and fountains, providing a peaceful break between stops at nearby museums.

Sanary-sur-Mer is a Mediterranean town on the Var coast of Provence, set around a sheltered bay between Toulon and Bandol. Its identity is closely tied to its fishing harbor, where traditional Provençal boats known as pointus remain an important feature. The waterfront is surrounded by narrow streets, small squares, cafés, and colorful façades, while beaches and wooded hills extend beyond the town center.