Galveston, Texas, a charming island city along the Gulf Coast, is a delightful blend of history, culture, and seaside leisure. Known for its Victorian architecture and sun-soaked beaches, Galveston offers a rich array of experiences for visitors. The Historic Strand District, with its 19th-century buildings housing shops, galleries, and restaurants, takes visitors back in time to an era of bustling port trade and grand social affairs.

Farther from a continental landfall than any other group of islands on earth, the twelve Marquesas jut out of the open Pacific just south of the equator, shrouded in a constant cloud cover.

Mayotte, a French overseas department nestled in the Mozambique Channel between Madagascar and mainland Africa, offers travelers a window into a lesser-known island culture shaped by Swahili, Malagasy, and French influences. Unlike its neighbors in the Comoros archipelago, Mayotte remains part of France, giving it a unique blend of European infrastructure and Indian Ocean traditions.

Set at the meeting point of Brazil and Argentina, Foz do Iguaçu is defined by the sheer scale of the Iguaçu Falls. Nearly 275 individual waterfalls stretch across close to three kilometers, sending mist into the air and sound echoing through the surrounding forest. Visitors follow raised walkways that bring them face to face with this moving wall of water, culminating at the dramatic Devil’s Throat, a deep, curved drop where the river seems to vanish into the earth.

Londonderry, often called Derry, is a city steeped in history and charm, uniquely surrounded by remarkably well-preserved 17th-century walls. In fact, it holds the title of being the only completely walled city in all of Ireland. Strolling along these ancient ramparts offers visitors not only a glimpse into the past but also breathtaking panoramic views of the winding River Foyle and the lively streets below.