Azerbaijan, often called the “Land of Fire,” sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia along the Caspian Sea. Its capital, Baku, blends futuristic architecture with centuries-old history.

Jasper National Park, located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, is a breathtaking destination known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Spanning over 11,000 square kilometers, it is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.

One of Japan's 60 core cities, Aomori is well-known for its beautiful landscapes. Favorite landscapes include the Hakkoda Mountains and Lake Towada. Another of the city's highlights is the Nebuta Matsuri, an annual festival known for its daily parade of giant, colorful lantern floats.

Potosí rises on the Altiplano of southern Bolivia and for centuries it was one of the richest cities in the world because of what lies just beyond its streets. At the foot of Cerro Rico (“Rich Mountain”), silver was discovered in the mid-1500s, and within a few decades the city became a center of mining and wealth that shaped global trade and economies.

Who would have thought, back in the tumultuous coup and counter coup days of the 1970s, that Burkina Faso would become the cultural darling of West Africa? Unlikely as it seems, Burkina Faso has become the Utah of West Africa, hosting a biennial film festival that rivals the Sundance Film Festival for cultural clout. When it's not hosting film festivals, it's busy organizing its other biennial cultural festival.