Sapa sits high in Vietnam’s northwest mountains, shaped by French colonial planning and long-standing settlement by Hmong, Dao, and other ethnic communities.

Dominica, known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” is a haven for eco-tourists and adventure seekers. Nestled between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, this lush island boasts a remarkable landscape of volcanic mountains, dense rainforests, and stunning waterfalls. Dominica’s most iconic natural wonder is the Boiling Lake, the second-largest hot spring in the world.

Madaba sits on Jordan’s central plateau, known for a long history that stretches from biblical times through the Roman and Byzantine periods.

Naha is the cultural and administrative heart of Okinawa Island, shaped by its past as the capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Travelers on the Arabian Sea often find themselves in Muscat, on the Gulf of Oman. This port capital is situated between ocean and mountains, and boasts lovely beaches, great diving sites (watch for turtles!), 16th-century forts, and the impressive Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which can hold 20,000 people.