Les Andelys, a picturesque town on the banks of the Seine in Normandy, France, is best known for its dramatic setting beneath the ruins of Château Gaillard. This medieval fortress, built in the 12th century by Richard the Lionheart, stands high on a chalk cliff overlooking the river, a reminder of the region’s turbulent past during the wars between England and France.

Alajuela, Costa Rica’s second-largest city, offers a mix of history, culture, and natural wonders that make it more than just the gateway to Juan Santamaría International Airport. The city’s central park, cathedral, and museums create a lively hub where local life unfolds, from weekend markets filled with fresh produce to festivals celebrating music and tradition.

Seward is a coastal city at the head of Resurrection Bay on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Mountains rise around the community, while its harbor opens toward the Gulf of Alaska. The city is an important gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park and a center for commercial fishing, marine transportation, and outdoor recreation. Seward also marks the southern terminus of the historic Iditarod Trail.

Campo Grande is the capital of Mato Grosso do Sul in central-western Brazil and an important urban gateway to the southern Pantanal and destinations such as Bonito. The city is often known as Cidade Morena, a reference to the reddish soil found across the region. Its broad avenues, parks, and low-density neighborhoods reflect its location on the edge of the Brazilian interior, where urban life meets ranching country and cerrado landscapes.

The Bimini Islands, the westernmost point of the Bahamas, are a tiny chain of islands steeped in history, legend, and natural wonder. Bimini has long been celebrated as the “Gateway to the Bahamas,” blending fishing traditions, maritime lore, and a laid-back island culture.