Ayutthaya, located about 80 kilometers north of Bangkok, Thailand, was the capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom from the 14th to the 18th century. Its ruins, set among rivers and canals, reveal a once-thriving city that was a hub of trade, politics, and culture, linking Southeast Asia with China, India, and Europe.

A major port city on the River Scheldt, Antwerp, Belgium, is a cultural, historical, and commercial hub and the country's most populous city. Known as the "diamond capital of the world," Antwerp is renowned for its cut diamonds.

A city in perpetual forward motion, Abu Dhabi greets visitors with gleaming skyscrapers and opulent Islamic architecture. There is much to see here, from the recently opened Louvre Abu Dhabi to the gigantic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with its white marble splendor. Beach life and turquoise waters can be found on Saadiyat Island, Al Bateen and Corniche Beach.

Scottsdale, Arizona is a resort destination on the Sonoran Desert, located just east of Phoenix. Scottsdale is best known for its golf courses, luxury resorts, and variety of outdoor adventures, including hiking, rafting, and off-roading.

Mindelo, on the northern coast of São Vicente Island, is Cape Verde’s cultural pulse. Its streets are lined with colorful colonial buildings, lively squares, and historic churches that echo the city’s maritime past.