Cres is a large Adriatic island off Croatia’s northern coast, shaped by a long history of seafaring, pastoral life, and quiet isolation.

Punta Cana, on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, is known for its wide sweep of white-sand beaches and warm Caribbean waters. Once a quiet stretch of coastline lined with coconut palms, it has grown into one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations while still offering plenty of spots that feel calm and remote.

Oviedo, the capital of Asturias in northern Spain, offers a rare mix of medieval heritage and everyday life that feels rooted rather than staged. The city’s historic center is home to some of the oldest pre-Romanesque buildings in Europe, including the UNESCO-listed Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo. Cider, not wine, defines the local table. Oviedo is surrounded by apple orchards, and the traditional drink, sidra natural, is poured from a height by skilled escanciadores.

Étretat, a small coastal town in Normandy, France, is celebrated for its dramatic white chalk cliffs and natural rock arches that rise strikingly above the English Channel.

Samana sits on a peninsula along the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, shaped by seafaring history and a strong Afro-Caribbean cultural presence.