Barranquilla sits near the mouth of the Magdalena River on Columbia's Caribbean side. It is a major seaport and a center of commerce, but everyone breaks loose for four days in February for one of the liveliest carnivals outside of Rio.

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.

Scottsdale, Arizona is a resort destination on the Sonoran Desert, located just east of Phoenix. Scottsdale is best known for its golf courses, luxury resorts, and variety of outdoor adventures, including hiking, rafting, and off-roading.

Glendalough, located in County Wicklow, is one of Ireland’s most historically significant and visually striking valleys. It’s best known for its early medieval monastic site, founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. The round tower, cathedral ruins, and stone churches that remain today are surrounded by forests, lakes, and mountain trails, creating a setting that feels both ancient and untouched.

Tissamaharama, often called “Tissa” by seasoned travelers, sits in southern Sri Lanka as a town steeped in history and living culture. Once the capital of the ancient Ruhuna Kingdom in the 3rd century BCE, this settlement still radiates stories from the distant past in its temples, reservoirs, and even the streets where market life unfolds each day.