Ananuri is a historic fortified complex in northern Georgia, set beside the Zhinvali Reservoir on the Aragvi River. Its stone walls, towers, churches, and defensive structures rise above the reservoir and the surrounding wooded mountains, creating one of the most recognizable historic landscapes along the Georgian Military Highway.
Manaus, capital of Brazil’s Amazonas state, is a city that rises unexpectedly from the rainforest. Once the center of the global rubber boom in the late 1800s, Manaus still holds onto that legacy with surprising elegance. The Teatro Amazonas, an opulent opera house imported piece by piece from Europe, sits at the heart of the city, its pink façade and domed roof tiled in the colors of the Brazilian flag. Today, it hosts concerts, festivals, and curious visitors eager to step back in time.
Sarapiquí is a rural region in northeastern Costa Rica, known for its network of rivers, rainforest reserves, and agricultural landscapes. Centered around Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, the area serves as a gateway to the Caribbean lowlands while remaining distinct from coastal destinations.
Çeşme is a coastal town on Turkey’s western Aegean shore, located on a peninsula opposite the Greek island of Chios. Its name means “fountain,” reflecting the numerous historic springs and fountains found around the town. Çeşme combines a busy marina and waterfront with sandy beaches, wind-swept headlands, and villages surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.