Siem Reap is best known as the gateway to Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire, but the town itself offers far more than a launching point for temple exploration. Located in northwestern Cambodia, Siem Reap balances centuries-old traditions with a rapidly evolving cultural scene. Its streets are lined with colonial-era buildings, Buddhist pagodas, bustling markets, and open-air cafés.

In the heart of Oman lies Nizwa, a city once considered the country’s capital and a hub of learning and trade. Its iconic round fort, built in the 17th century, remains one of Oman’s most visited landmarks.

The Coromandel Peninsula on New Zealand’s North Island is a place where coastline and culture come alive in ways that stay with visitors long after they’ve left. Stretching for about 110 kilometers between the Hauraki Gulf and the Bay of Plenty, this region has deep roots that go back to the arrival of Māori long before Europeans stepped ashore.

Madang, perched on the edge of Astrolabe Bay, feels like a well-kept secret of Papua New Guinea that’s framed by lush jungles and dotted with volcanic isles. Every June, Madang pulses with energy at the annual Madang Festival. Villages from across the province gather for ceremonies where dancers don feathered costumes, shells, and body paint. The beat of kundu drums rises through the air and stories woven in movement.

Niigata sits along the Sea of Japan on Honshu’s west coast, a place where long winters and bright summers shape its traditions and flavors. For centuries this region has produced some of Japan’s finest rice, especially the Uonuma Koshihikari variety known for its rich taste and texture. That quality rice helps make Niigata sake famous across the country, and visitors can sample more than 90 local brews at tasting spots such as Ponshukan inside Niigata Station.