Nelson sits along the West Arm of Kootenay Lake in southeastern British Columbia, embraced by the rugged peaks of the Selkirk Mountains and threaded with over 350 heritage buildings that tell the story of its silver-rush beginnings. A short trip outside town leads to spots like the Salmo–Troup Rail Trail, a wide, gentle path that follows an old rail line for kilometers through forest and alongside rivers.

High in the Khumbu region, Lobuche sits in a stark alpine setting along the trail toward Mount Everest. Surrounded by rocky terrain and glacial formations, the village stands close to the Khumbu Glacier, where the landscape shifts into shades of gray, white, and deep blue. The air here is thin and crisp, and the silence is often broken only by the wind moving across the valley.

Kobe, Japan is a beautiful port city renowned for its historic shrines, botanical gardens, hot springs, and marbled Kobe beef. Highlights of this Japanese retreat include Ikuta Shrine, thought to be one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Botanical Gardens, Mount Rokkō, and Arima Onsen, a popular hot springs resort surrounded by Japanese maple trees.

Varadero, set along Cuba’s Hicacos Peninsula, is one of the Caribbean’s most renowned beach destinations. Its 20 kilometers of powdery white sand and clear turquoise waters have made it a favorite for relaxation, water sports, and resort stays.

Cairns is the majestic entrance to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. This warm, tropical destination is located in Far North Queensland. Must-see attractions in Cairns include the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, which educates tourists about indigenous peoples, and restaurant and bar-dotted Cairns Esplanade, which has a lagoon for swimming.