Quetzaltenango, often called Xela by locals, is Guatemala’s second-largest city and a hub of indigenous culture, colonial history, and highland landscapes. Surrounded by volcanoes, including the towering Santa María, the city sits at over 7,600 feet above sea level, giving it a crisp mountain climate that contrasts with the country’s tropical lowlands.
Santarém is a city in central Brazil, located where the Tapajós River meets the Amazon. Its position at this confluence has made it a hub of riverine trade and cultural exchange for centuries, blending Indigenous traditions with Portuguese colonial influence.
Birmingham, Alabama is a city that offers travelers a chance to experience Southern culture that’s both deeply rooted and constantly evolving. Known as the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement, the city features landmarks like the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the 16th Street Baptist Church, where pivotal moments in American history unfolded. The adjacent Kelly Ingram Park uses life-size sculptures to tell powerful stories of protest and resilience, making a walk through the area both mov
Inyeug, more commonly known as Mystery Island, is a tiny, uninhabited islet off the coast of Aneityum in Vanuatu’s southernmost province. Measuring just 1.5 kilometers long, the island is completely free of roads, shops, and electricity. What it offers instead is pure seclusion and untouched beauty. Cruise ships often anchor offshore, bringing day visitors to its white-sand beaches and shallow coral lagoons, but once they depart, the island returns to stillness.