Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, also known as South Ari Atoll, lies southwest of Malé in the central Maldives and includes a mixture of inhabited islands, uninhabited islets, sandbanks, and resort islands. The atoll is surrounded by coral reefs and clear lagoon waters, while many of its inhabited islands retain compact communities shaped by fishing and maritime traditions. Mahibadhoo serves as the administrative capital, with Dhangethi, Dhigurah, Omadhoo, and Mandhoo among the better-known local islands.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda, is one of Africa’s most extraordinary natural treasures. Its dense rainforest, often draped in mist, shelters a wealth of biodiversity and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both its ecological significance and natural beauty. This ancient forest is among the few places on earth where travelers can come face-to-face with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Algiers is the capital and largest city of Algeria, occupying a series of hills along the western side of a broad Mediterranean bay. Its landscape combines a historic hillside core, modern districts, busy avenues, and a large waterfront. The white facades of the city rise above the sea, giving Algiers its familiar nickname, “Algiers the White.”

Wadi Rum, often called the “Valley of the Moon,” is a desert landscape in southern Jordan renowned for its dramatic sandstone mountains, sweeping red sand dunes, and ancient history carved into the rock. Its vast, otherworldly scenery has made it both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a backdrop for films set on distant planets.

Wick’s location at the mouth of the River Wick provides a dramatic coastal setting, with cliffs, sandy beaches, and the North Sea stretching into the horizon.