The skyline of Erfurt is shaped by dozens of churches, monasteries, and convents thrusting their pointed steeples upward to the sky. In the Middle Ages, Erfurt was known as "Thuringian Rome" because of its religious orders. The impressive twin churches on the Domberg (Cathedral Hill), the Roman Catholic St. Mary's Cathedral (14th century) and the Roman Catholic Parish church St. Severus with a flight of 70 outdoor steps leading from the Cathedral Square up the hill to the churches.

Kyle of Lochalsh, located on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands, serves as a gateway to the Isle of Skye via the Skye Bridge, but the village itself deserves more than a passing glance. Once the terminus of the Highland Railway, the town still welcomes visitors by train on one of the UK’s most scenic routes. The line from Inverness to Kyle passes through remote glens, past lochs and mountain ranges, ending just steps from the waterfront.

Jersey City is a major waterfront city in northeastern New Jersey, situated across the Hudson River from Lower Manhattan. Its skyline, historic neighbourhoods, parks, and extensive waterfront make it one of the most urban places in the state. Exchange Place and the Hudson River waterfront provide direct views of Manhattan, while the historic Downtown district contains brownstones, churches, restaurants, and independent businesses.

Alkmaar is a historic city in the Dutch province of North Holland, known for its canals, narrow streets, traditional gabled houses, and long association with cheese trading. The old center is compact and largely walkable, with the Waagplein at its heart and the Waag building providing one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Canals such as the Oudegracht and Luttik Oudorp wind through the center, while bridges connect streets lined with shops, cafés, and historic buildings.

Missoula, nestled in western Montana’s scenic mountain valleys, is a lively city that blends outdoor adventure with a strong sense of community and culture. Founded as a 19th-century trading post and lumber town, Missoula has evolved into a hub for education, the arts, and nature, anchored by the University of Montana and surrounded by breathtaking wilderness.