Lake Maggiore, straddling the border of northern Italy and southern Switzerland, is the second-largest lake in Italy and one of the most scenically diverse. Surrounded by Alpine peaks and dotted with elegant towns, the lake has attracted visitors for centuries, including literary figures like Stendhal and Ernest Hemingway. The western shore is home to the Borromean Islands, a group of three small islands known for palaces, terraced gardens, and white peacocks that roam freely across the lawns.

Paraty is a charming coastal town in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state, known for its colonial architecture, cobbled streets, and artistic heritage.

Dubai is a grandiose, extraordinarily modern metropolis in the United Arab Emirates. Visitors will marvel at the dramatic skyline, the musical Dubai Fountain and the manmade archipelago right offshore that features a major resort.

Glencoe lies in the western Highlands of Scotland, where a long, steep-sided valley cuts through mountains shaped by ancient volcanic activity and glaciation.

Home to a number of Hindu and Buddhist temples, beautiful botanical gardens, and ancient palaces, Kathmandu is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Nepali culture, history, and religion.