Gaspé sits at the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula in Québec, where the St. Lawrence River opens into the Gulf and the land feels distinctly maritime.

Eritrea, located along the Red Sea in the Horn of Africa, offers a fascinating blend of history, diverse landscapes, and rich cultural traditions.

Bran, a small village nestled in the Carpathian Mountains of central Romania, is best known for its medieval fortress commonly referred to as “Dracula’s Castle.” While the connection to Bram Stoker’s fictional character is loose at best, Bran Castle continues to draw travelers with its striking towers, stone walls, and position on a rocky cliff. Originally built in the 14th century to defend against invading forces, the castle has passed through royal hands, most notably Queen Marie of Romania.

Gotland, Sweden’s largest island, sits in the Baltic Sea and feels like a world of its own. Its main town, Visby, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Northern Europe. Surrounded by a 3.5-kilometer stone wall with original towers still intact, Visby once served as a key Hanseatic trading hub. Visitors can walk along cobbled streets lined with rose-covered cottages, explore Gothic church ruins, and climb up the city wall for views over the harbor.

Austria’s Wachau Valley is a scenic stretch of the Danube River between Melk and Krems, known for its terraced vineyards, medieval towns, and a deep sense of history.