Connemara National Park lies in County Galway in western Ireland, near the village of Letterfrack. The park protects a broad landscape of mountains, western blanket bog, heath, grassland, woodland, and lakes, covering more than 2,000 hectares. Several of its peaks form part of the Twelve Bens range, including Benbaun, the highest mountain in County Galway.

Greece is a country where layers of history sit side by side with everyday life. In Athens, visitors can stand at the foot of the Acropolis and look up at the Parthenon, built more than 2,400 years ago, then walk a few blocks to modern cafes buzzing with conversation and music. The city’s neighborhoods, like Plaka and Monastiraki, offer both ancient ruins and small family-run shops selling handmade sandals and olive oil soap.

Stewart Island, known in Māori as Rakiura, lies off the southern coast of New Zealand and is the country’s third-largest island.

The Banana Islands are a small group of three islands off the coast of Yawri Bay, southwest of Sierra Leone’s Freetown Peninsula. Dublin and Ricketts are connected by a stone causeway, while smaller Mes-Meheux is uninhabited. The islands combine sandy beaches, tropical forest, fishing settlements, and quiet coastal waters.

Tucked away on the southern tip of a narrow, 16-mile peninsula in Belize, Placencia is a charming seaside village that effortlessly blends laid-back Caribbean vibes with an adventurous spirit. Known for its vibrant local culture and idyllic beaches, Placencia invites visitors to relax on its soft sandy shores or dive into its crystal-clear waters.