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.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines is a Caribbean nation that feels both adventurous and serene, a chain of lush islands and tiny cays scattered across turquoise waters. The main island of St. Vincent is dominated by volcanic landscapes, including the active La Soufrière volcano, whose slopes are covered in rainforest and dotted with waterfalls.

Nara, located in Japan’s Kansai region, is a city where ancient history and serene landscapes coexist. As the country’s first permanent capital, it preserves a wealth of historic sites that reflect its significance during the Nara period.

Nunavut comprises a major portion of Northern Canada, and most of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Its vast territory makes it the fifth-largest country subdivision in the world, as well as the largest in North America.

Georgetown, Guyana’s capital, is a city of wooden cathedrals, tree-lined canals, and street corners alive with music, food, and political discussion. Located at the mouth of the Demerara River, the streets still follow the Dutch grid system, and the city’s architectural signature, with its elegant wooden buildings with louvered shutters and fretwork, make it one of the most visually distinct capitals in South America.