Kansas City, Kansas offers more than meets the eye. Located at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, this city blends its industrial roots with surprising pockets of creativity, flavor, and local pride. Food plays a big role in the city’s identity, and no trip is complete without sampling its barbecue. While its Missouri neighbor may get more attention, Kansas City holds its own with iconic joints like Slap’s BBQ, a local favorite known for brisket that draws lines out the door.

Tokushima is the capital of Tokushima Prefecture on the eastern side of Shikoku, where several rivers meet the sea and mountains rise beyond the urban area. The city is closely identified with Awa Odori, a traditional dance that fills streets with performers and musicians during its annual festival. Tokushima also serves as a useful base for exploring the wider prefecture, including the Naruto Strait, the Iya Valley, and sections of the Shikoku pilgrimage.

Woody Point is a small coastal community on Bonne Bay in western Newfoundland, surrounded by the landscapes of Gros Morne National Park. Its waterfront is lined with historic homes and buildings, while the Woody Point Lighthouse marks the shoreline and the town’s heritage district preserves five registered structures.

Blarney, a village just outside Cork in Ireland, is best known for its legendary Blarney Castle, where travelers from around the world come to kiss the famous Blarney Stone.

Paraguay is a country that moves to its own rhythm. Landlocked and often overlooked, it’s one of South America’s most culturally distinct destinations. With two official languages, Spanish and Guaraní, and a strong Indigenous heritage, Paraguay offers a travel experience shaped more by tradition than by trend. For travelers drawn to wild, open landscapes, Paraguay offers two distinct ecosystems: the lush, river-fed east and the remote, dry Chaco in the west.