Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is a city where history, culture, and riverside life intersect. Situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, the city has a lively riverfront that serves as both a social gathering place and a hub for commerce.
Manama pulses with stories from long ago and today. Just beyond the modern skyline lies Qal’at al‑Bahrain, a layered mound once the capital of Dilmun, used by societies from the Kassites to the Portuguese. Visitors can climb its crumbling stairways and imagine life across centuries there. Nearby, the Bahrain National Museum, opened in 1988 in a stately waterside building, displays archaeological finds from ancient Dilmun to modern-day artifacts and is one of the Gulf's first modern museums.
Tonga is distinctly different to its neighboring island nations. This Polynesian kingdom, made up of 170 islands, carries a proud history that dates back over 3,000 years. On the main island of Tongatapu, travelers can explore ancient stone structures like the Haʻamonga ʻa Maui Trilithon—sometimes called the Stonehenge of the Pacific. Royal tombs in Lapaha offer a glimpse into the lineage of Tonga’s kings, while village life remains guided by customs that have changed little over centuries.
Malawi, often called the “Warm Heart of Africa,” is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa known for its welcoming people and breathtaking natural scenery. Despite its small size, the country offers remarkable diversity, from high mountain plateaus and fertile valleys to sweeping savannas and vast lakeshores.