No place on Earth quite compares to Antarctica, this stunning and vast continent is cold and windy, containing 90% of the ice in the world. Those who brave a visit here are rewarded with beautiful glaciers that must be seen to be believed, and a vast array of wildlife such as whales, penguins, Arctic foxes and seals.

Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, has long served as a cultural and trade crossroads in the Andaman Sea. Centuries ago, it was a stopover for merchants trading tin, spices, and textiles, with influences from Chinese, Portuguese, Indian, and Malay travelers still reflected in the island’s architecture and cuisine. Inland, the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary protects rainforest habitat home to gibbons, civets, and exotic birds.

Alter do Chão is a riverside village in the Brazilian state of Pará, on the banks of the clear Tapajós River. Though part of the larger municipality of Santarém, Alter do Chão has its own rhythm and identity, known far beyond Brazil for the white-sand beaches that appear when river levels drop between July and December. One of the most famous spots is Ilha do Amor (Love Island), a sandbar just off the village shore that feels almost like a hidden world of warm water and bright sky.

Benguerra Island, part of Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago, is a tropical paradise known for its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and rich marine life. Accessible by boat from Vilankulo, the island offers a secluded retreat where visitors can enjoy sun-soaked sandbanks, coral reefs, and the gentle sway of palm trees. Its small size and limited development help maintain an intimate atmosphere that feels far removed from bustling tourist hubs.

Darjeeling sits along a ridge in the eastern Himalaya, shaped by colonial history and long-standing ties to the surrounding hills.