La Fortuna, a small town in northern Costa Rica, sits in the shadow of the iconic Arenal Volcano, once the country’s most active and still one of its most visually striking. The town’s name, which means “The Fortune,” is no coincidence; it was spared when Arenal erupted unexpectedly in 1968, reshaping the landscape and eventually drawing visitors from around the world. Today, La Fortuna is known for its lush rainforest, geothermal activity, and stunning scenery that feels both wild and welcoming

Lifou Island, the most populous of the Loyalty Islands in New Caledonia, is a flat, former coral atoll with abundant vegetation and surrounded by secluded coral reefs which many say offer some of the best snorkeling in the world.

The Gobi Desert, spanning across northern China and southern Mongolia, is one of the world’s most iconic and mysterious landscapes. Known for its vast stretches of arid plains, towering sand dunes, and rugged mountains, the Gobi offers a stark, breathtaking beauty that has captivated explorers and travelers for centuries.

El Calafate, a small town in southern Patagonia, serves as the main gateway to one of Argentina’s most spectacular natural wonders, the Los Glaciares National Park. Sitting on the shores of Lake Argentino, El Calafate was once a quiet outpost known mainly for sheep farming and the hardy calafate berry. Today, it attracts travelers from around the world who come to witness massive ice formations and the shifting blue walls of nearby glaciers.

Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, is a city where tradition and modern life meet in unexpected ways. Streets are lined with traditional Bhutanese architecture, colorful prayer flags, and shops selling handicrafts, while government offices and modern facilities operate alongside centuries-old temples.