A veritable paradise on Earth, Auckland combines the best of both worlds – a thrilling urban metropolis surrounded by striking natural areas, sparkling blue water, and colorful wildlife. New Zealand’s cultural and recreational hub, beautiful Auckland has something for everyone.

Paramaribo, Suriname’s capital, unfolds like a living storybook along the Suriname River, where wooden structures from the 17th and 18th centuries still stand today. This historic heart reveals a rare fusion of Dutch design and local craftsmanship. Visitors can stroll the Waterkant, a riverside avenue, and take in landmarks such as Fort Zeelandia, the neoclassical Reformed Church, and the lofty wooden Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul.

Kaohsiung sits on Taiwan’s southern coast and rises from one of the island’s busiest harbors into a city that rewards slow exploration and lively discovery. History and local belief surface at the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas beside Lotus Pond in Zuoying District. These twin pagodas that are connected to the shore by a zigzag bridge, invite visitors to walk through the dragon’s mouth and out the tiger’s, a practice locals associate with turning bad luck into good fortune.

Agrigento, located on the southern coast of Sicily, is a city steeped in history and renowned for its ancient Greek ruins. The crown jewel of Agrigento is the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Visitors can marvel at the remarkably preserved Temple of Concordia, which dates back to the 5th century BC and is considered one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world.

Guanacaste is a province on the western coast of Costa Rica in Central America. A biodiverse paradise, this region is popular for its tropical rainforests, beaches, and a variety of adventurous activities, including ziplining and snorkeling.