Nicaragua offers travelers a look into centuries of layered history set against striking natural backdrops. Visitors can tour the baroque-style Granada Cathedral, take a boat ride through Las Isletas (a chain of small, volcanic islands in Lake Nicaragua), or climb the bell tower of Iglesia La Merced for sweeping city views.

You'll know why picturesque Grenada is known as the "spice island" when you notice the scent of nutmeg, vanilla and cocoa in the air. Grenada's waterfalls, lush rain forests, volcanic crater lake, tiny villages, cocoa, nutmeg and banana plantations, rum distilleries, scenic hiking trips, pristine coral reefs, and hidden-away unspoiled beaches all make Grenada one of the most popular ecotourism destinations for those who like to discover off-the-beaten-track natural beauty and charm.

This vibrant, diverse British Columbia seaport is one of the jewels of Canada. Surrounded by ocean and mountains alike, Vancouver offers breathtaking vistas, not to mention world-class outdoor activities, culinary delights, fine art, and cultural events.

Karatu, located in northern Tanzania between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, is more than just a stopover for safari-goers. This highland town, surrounded by rolling farmland and volcanic hills, offers travelers a closer look at daily life in the region. The area is home to the Iraqw people, known for their terraced farming, traditional homesteads, and unique language unrelated to most other East African tongues.

Lake Tana, located in the northwest of Ethiopia, is the country’s largest freshwater lake and the source of the Blue Nile. Its calm waters are dotted with more than 30 islands, many of which are home to ancient monasteries adorned with religious paintings and manuscripts.