Caye Caulker lies off the coast of Belize, a small island that was once a quiet fishing village and today still feels wonderfully uncrowded compared to many Caribbean destinations. Its name likely comes from an English twist on “Hicaco,” the old Spanish name meaning coco plum, a nod to the island’s early days and bilingual roots.

Palawan Island stretches along the western edge of the Philippines, shaped by seafaring routes, Indigenous cultures, and relative isolation from the country’s major urban centers.

Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is a city where tradition and modern life intertwine. Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, it serves as the country’s cultural, political, and economic hub. The city’s skyline features a mix of Soviet-era architecture, Buddhist monasteries, and contemporary high-rises.

Located on the coast of Queensland, Australia, Airlie Beach is a favorite stop for cruises along the Great Barrier Reef. This coastal paradise offers spectacular beaches and easy access to the Whitsunday Islands, Conway National Park, and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef.

Trebinje, the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, sits just a short drive from the Adriatic coast but offers a completely different rhythm. Framed by hills and set along the Trebišnjica River, the city has a history stretching back to Roman times. The river that winds through the city is one of the longest sinking rivers in the world and often disappears underground and resurfaces in various places.