Tampa, Florida, offers more than just sunshine and palm trees, it’s a city with character, history, and plenty of unexpected experiences. Founded as a military outpost in the 19th century, Tampa has grown into a vibrant waterfront city with strong Cuban, Spanish, and Italian influences. This cultural blend is especially noticeable in Ybor City, a historic district known for its red-brick buildings and deep cigar-making roots.
Kyle of Lochalsh, located on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands, serves as a gateway to the Isle of Skye via the Skye Bridge, but the village itself deserves more than a passing glance. Once the terminus of the Highland Railway, the town still welcomes visitors by train on one of the UK’s most scenic routes. The line from Inverness to Kyle passes through remote glens, past lochs and mountain ranges, ending just steps from the waterfront.
Negombo, located just north of Colombo and minutes from Sri Lanka’s main international airport, offers a coastal town experience steeped in layered history and local life. Once a vital trading post for cinnamon during the colonial era, Negombo has seen Portuguese, Dutch, and British influence with each leaving a mark on its architecture and culture. The Dutch-era canal system, still used by fishermen and local vendors today, runs through parts of the town and can be explored by boat or bicycle.