Quetzaltenango, often called Xela by locals, is Guatemala’s second-largest city and a hub of indigenous culture, colonial history, and highland landscapes. Surrounded by volcanoes, including the towering Santa María, the city sits at over 7,600 feet above sea level, giving it a crisp mountain climate that contrasts with the country’s tropical lowlands.

Maroon Bells is a famous mountain landscape near Aspen, Colorado, centered on two distinctive bell-shaped peaks rising above the Maroon Creek Valley. Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak reach more than 14,000 feet, with their dark red mudstone slopes creating a strong contrast against the surrounding forests and alpine terrain.

Okaukuejo is a settlement and rest camp in the southern part of Etosha National Park, serving as an important administrative and tourism center for the protected area. It lies near the park’s southern entrance and is surrounded by the open plains, salt pans, and dry savanna that define central Etosha. The area is particularly known for its permanent waterhole, where wildlife gathers when water is scarce.

Exmouth is a great base from which to join one of the many fabulous eco-tourism tours around the area. Exmouth is situated on the northern tip of the North West Cape which offers a number of nearby attractions. There is also a fantastic swimming beach at Pebbley Beach.

Chengdu, the capital of China's Sichuan Province, blends modern urban life with centuries of history. It is famous as the home of the giant panda, but its cultural significance extends far beyond wildlife.