The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa, offer far more than just sunshine and beaches. Made up of eight main islands, each with its own personality, the Canaries are a place where lunar landscapes, cloud forests, volcanic peaks, and historic towns coexist within short travel distances. On Tenerife, Mount Teide looms over a landscape of solidified lava and craters that look like a science fiction set.

Wertheim is an enchanting town on the banks of the Main River in Germany. A favorite stop on European river cruises, highlights of this charming destination include the Wertheim Castle and the town center, where you can wind your way down cobblestone streets replete with 16th century architecture. Venture outside of town and follow the Tauber River to Kloster Bronnbach, an immense and ornate monastery dating back to the 12th century.

Albufeira, perched on Portugal’s Algarve coast, combines the charm of a traditional fishing village with the vibrancy of a seaside resort. Its whitewashed buildings tumble down hillsides toward golden beaches and turquoise waters, creating one of the most picturesque coastal scenes in southern Europe.

Santa Margarita is a small community in San Luis Obispo County, set among rolling hills and oak-covered countryside near the southern edge of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Located along the historic El Camino Real corridor, it has a rural character shaped by ranching, agriculture, and its position between the Salinas Valley and the Central Coast. The town sits near Santa Margarita Lake and is surrounded by open grasslands, vineyards, and wooded hills.

Vatnajökull National Park is one of Iceland’s largest protected areas, extending across a vast landscape of glaciers, volcanoes, lava fields, mountains, rivers, and glacial plains. At its center lies Vatnajökull, Iceland’s largest ice cap, whose outlet glaciers spread into surrounding valleys and lowlands. The park stretches across southeast and central Iceland and includes several distinct regions, from Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón to the volcanic landscapes of Askja and Kverkfjöll.