Amorgos is an island in the eastern Cyclades, known for its steep rocky coastline, whitewashed villages, stone paths, and broad views across the Aegean Sea. Unlike flatter Cycladic islands, much of Amorgos is mountainous, with Mount Krikelos reaching 821 metres and deep valleys separating its settlements. The main ports are Katapola and Aegiali, while Chora, the island’s inland capital, is built around narrow lanes, small squares, windmills, and traditional Cycladic houses.

Ishigaki, the vibrant hub of the Yaeyama Islands in Japan, is a tropical paradise renowned for its stunning natural beauty and unique cultural heritage. As the largest island in the Yaeyama group, Ishigaki is celebrated for its breathtaking beaches and crystal-clear waters, such as the pristine Kabira Bay, famous for its turquoise hues and coral reefs.

Roses is a coastal town in Catalonia’s Alt Empordà, positioned at the eastern edge of the Iberian Peninsula where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean. Its broad bay opens toward the Cap de Creus peninsula, giving the town a landscape of beaches, rocky headlands, and low coastal hills. Roses has a strong maritime identity, with a fishing port operating alongside a marina and a long seafront promenade.

Pondicherry is a coastal town in southern India that still carries traces of its French colonial past. The French Quarter, or White Town, is filled with mustard-yellow buildings, iron-laced balconies, and streets with French names. Visitors can explore this area on foot or by bicycle, stopping at spots like the 18th-century Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges, built in Greco-Roman style, or the French Consulate, which continues to operate from a colonial-era building.

Wiesbaden is located in west central Germany at the southern foot of the Taunus Mountains, on the Rhine River, near Frankfurt. It is popular for its 26 hot mineral springs and mild climate and tourism is vital to the local economy. Wiesbaden is a cultural center; places of interest are the former royal and ducal residences; the Kurhaus with its casino and its concert halls; the Colonnade, remnants of a Roman wall known as the Heidenmauer ("heathens' wall"); and the Hessian State Theater.