Santa Cruz de La Palma is the capital of the island of La Palma, one of the seven Canary Islands. Although often forgotten in favor of the similarly named Santa Cruz de Tenerife, it is a compact and colorful colonial town well worth a visit. Swimming, paragliding, and hiking and some of the most popular daytime activities, while stargazing is a favorite pastime after the sun goes down.

St. George, Utah, is a desert city in the state’s southwest corner, celebrated for its striking red rock landscapes, mild climate, and proximity to some of the American West’s most iconic natural wonders.

Ankara, the capital of Turkey, sits on the Anatolian plateau and reflects the country’s layered history more quietly than Istanbul, yet with equal depth. Once an important settlement for the Hittites, Phrygians, Romans, and Byzantines, Ankara rose to national prominence in the 20th century when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk chose it as the heart of the modern Turkish Republic. Today, it functions as Turkey’s political center while preserving traces of its ancient and Ottoman past.

Mbabane, the capital of Eswatini, sits high in the Mdzimba Mountains, offering visitors fresh air, rolling green hills, and a relaxed pace of life.

Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is an island off the coast of Thailand and a popular vacation destination for locals and tourists alike.