Greece is a country where layers of history sit side by side with everyday life. In Athens, visitors can stand at the foot of the Acropolis and look up at the Parthenon, built more than 2,400 years ago, then walk a few blocks to modern cafes buzzing with conversation and music. The city’s neighborhoods, like Plaka and Monastiraki, offer both ancient ruins and small family-run shops selling handmade sandals and olive oil soap.

This Sicily harbor city is divided from Italy proper by the Strait of Messina. Visitors marvel at the Gothic, bell-towered Norman Messina Cathedral.

Ghana, located along West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, offers a rich blend of cultural heritage and history.

Fitzroy Island sits off the coast from Cairns in Queensland, Australia, rising from the Coral Sea with rainforest and beaches that draw visitors year-round. A short, scenic ferry ride from Cairns’ marlin marina brings visitors to this tropical island, part of the Fitzroy Island National Park where rainforest meets reef.

As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Stone Town boasts narrow, winding streets lined with towering stone buildings adorned with beautifully carved wooden doors, reflecting its rich history as a major trading hub.