Turkmenistan is a land of striking contrasts, where vast deserts meet ancient Silk Road history. The country is dominated by the Karakum Desert, an expanse of sand and scrub that covers most of its territory, yet it is also home to oases where cities flourished as trading posts for caravans journeying between Persia, China, and beyond.

Timbavati Private Nature Reserve lies in South Africa’s northeastern Lowveld, directly alongside Kruger National Park. Covering about 556 square kilometres, it forms part of the larger Greater Kruger landscape, where fences between participating reserves and Kruger have been removed to allow wildlife to move freely. The reserve contains a mixture of savanna, woodland, seasonal rivers, and rocky areas shaped by ancient granite and gneiss formations.

Kinsale is a coastal town in County Cork, Ireland, situated at the mouth of the River Bandon. It is known for its deep natural harbor, narrow streets, and brightly painted buildings that line the town center. Historically a port and fishing settlement, it now functions as a small but active destination with a strong maritime identity.

Lac Abbe, straddling the border between Djibouti and Ethiopia, is one of East Africa’s most otherworldly landscapes.

Iqaluit is the capital of Nunavut and the largest community in the territory, located at the head of Frobisher Bay on southern Baffin Island. The city is surrounded by rocky hills, tundra, freshwater ponds, and broad coastal waters, with a landscape shaped by Arctic weather and seasonal sea ice. Iqaluit serves as Nunavut's administrative, transportation, educational, and commercial centre, while remaining closely connected to traditional Inuit activities.