Douz is a town in southern Tunisia on the edge of the Sahara, where date-palm oases meet the dunes of the Grand Erg Oriental. The town is often regarded as a gateway to the sandy desert, with dunes beginning close to the built-up area and extending toward the wider Sahara. Palm groves provide a strong contrast to the surrounding dry landscape, while nearby Chott el-Jerid forms a vast salt depression with bright mineral surfaces and mirages.

Newark, New Jersey is often overshadowed by its proximity to New York City but still has a strong identity rooted in history, art, and global culture. As one of the oldest cities in the United States, founded in 1666, Newark’s rich past is visible in landmarks like the Old First Presbyterian Church and Military Park, where George Washington once camped. The city’s architecture reflects its legacy, from the Beaux-Arts Newark Museum building to the art deco facade of the historic Hahne & Co. depar

On South Plaza Island, sea lions breed all along the low lying northern coast. These sheer cliffs are home for swallow-tail gulls and the beautiful red billed tropic birds. The landscape is dominated by optunia cactus trees. A look under each tree reveals a land iguana patiently waiting for a succulent cactus pad to fall.

Trier, Germany’s oldest city, is a living museum nestled in the Moselle Valley, where Roman ruins rise beside medieval churches and bustling market squares. Founded by the Romans in 16 BCE, Trier was once known as “Roma Secunda,” the second Rome, and still boasts the largest collection of Roman architecture north of the Alps. The Trier Cathedral (Dom St. Peter), which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the oldest church in Germany and houses a relic said to be the Holy Robe of Christ.

Nestled high in the Pyrenees, Soldeu is a mountain village in the principality of Andorra, best known for its access to Grandvalira, which is one of the largest ski areas in Southern Europe. At 1,800 meters above sea level, Soldeu has grown from a quiet farming village into a winter destination with over 200 kilometers of slopes. It hosted World Cup alpine ski races in 2019 and is scheduled to host the Finals again in 2029.