Funafuti Atoll, the capital of Tuvalu, is a narrow strip of land wrapped around a brilliant turquoise lagoon that stretches over 20 kilometers across. Despite being just 600 meters at its widest point, Funafuti is the heartbeat of the country, where government buildings, homes, schools, and the island’s only airport all coexist along sandy roads lined with coconut trees.

The Calf of Man, a small island off the southwest coast of the Isle of Man, offers a rare glimpse into a quieter side of the Irish Sea. Covering just over 260 acres, this uninhabited island is known primarily for its rich birdlife and dramatic coastal cliffs. Visitors often arrive by boat from nearby Port Erin, embarking on guided tours that reveal the island’s importance as a bird sanctuary.

The Falkland Islands, a remote archipelago in the South Atlantic, offer a striking combination of wild open spaces, rich wildlife, and a way of life shaped by wind, sea, and resilience. With fewer than 3,500 residents spread across over 700 islands, the Falklands provide a rare opportunity to disconnect from busy modern life and connect with wide skies, rugged coastlines, and some of the most accessible wildlife experiences on the planet.

Belgium may be compact, but it offers a surprising variety of experiences shaped by centuries of shifting borders, artistic innovation, and culinary tradition. In Brussels, the Grand Place sets the stage for history and architecture in one square lined with ornate guild halls. The city is also home to the European Union’s headquarters, surrealist painter René Magritte’s former house, and a lively comic book trail that winds through murals of Tintin and other Belgian icons.

Étretat, a small coastal town in Normandy, France, is celebrated for its dramatic white chalk cliffs and natural rock arches that rise strikingly above the English Channel.