If you find yourself in Rotterdam, there's a strong chance you've arrived by water. This popular port city (the second largest in the Netherlands) has gone through an architectural renaissance since World War II, with daring, innovative structures dotting the city (cube houses!) and defining its skyline. Café culture is on the rise here, so grab yourself a table and a cup.

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.

Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, is located on St. Mary’s Island at the mouth of the Gambia River, giving it a unique waterfront setting.

Panama is a country shaped by its geography and defined by its role in global history. The Panama Canal remains its most iconic feature as a 50-mile engineering marvel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Visitors can watch ships pass through the Miraflores Locks from a dedicated observation deck or explore the interactive museum that explains how the canal changed international trade forever.

Zambia, a landlocked country in southern Africa, is celebrated for its dramatic landscapes, diverse wildlife, and warm hospitality. Known as the “real Africa” by many travelers, it is home to some of the continent’s most famous natural wonders and national parks.