Coursing through 10 countries, the Danube is the second-longest river in Europe. This waterway, lined with fortresses and castles, rises in Germany's Black Forest and runs for 1,770 miles to the Black Sea. The Danube is an essential commercial thoroughfare for central and southeastern Europe, and several river cruise companies sail vessels on it year-round. Destinations along this river include Vienna, Budapest, Passau and Bratislava.

Redwood National and State Parks protect a remarkable coastal landscape in northern California, where ancient redwood forests grow alongside rivers, prairies, wetlands, and the Pacific Ocean. The protected area extends across a series of parks in Del Norte and Humboldt counties, preserving some of the tallest trees on Earth. Dense stands of coast redwoods create shaded forest environments beneath a canopy of towering trunks, while nearby coastal bluffs and beaches provide a striking contrast.

Salamanca, often called the “Golden City” for the warm glow of its sandstone buildings, is a place where centuries of stories are etched into every wall. Visit its historic center to wander through cobbled streets lined with architectural marvels. The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, is one of the oldest in Europe and still buzzes with student life.

Gouda is a historic city in South Holland, situated where the Gouwe and Hollandse IJssel waterways meet. Its compact center is known for canals, brick houses, bridges, and a network of narrow streets surrounding the Markt, one of the Netherlands’ largest historic town squares. The Gothic St. John’s Church dominates the square and is particularly notable for its extensive collection of stained-glass windows.

Taghazout is a small coastal village on Morocco’s Atlantic shore, once a quiet fishing settlement that has grown into a global surf destination without fully shedding its roots. Life here still follows the rhythms of the sea, with boats pulled onto the sand and daily routines shaped by tides and weather. Berber culture underpins the village’s identity, visible in local customs, food, and the understated pace that sets Taghazout apart from Morocco’s larger resort towns.