Xi’an, located in central China’s Shaanxi Province, served as the starting point of the ancient Silk Road and was the capital of 13 imperial dynasties. Its long history is most famously represented by the Terracotta Army, an underground army of life-sized warriors discovered in 1974. Each figure has distinct facial features, hairstyles, and armor, designed to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife.

Tucked away in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, Nauru is one of the world’s smallest and least visited countries being an island nation just 21 square kilometers in size, with a population under 10,000. But its compact size makes exploring simple and rewarding. Visitors can circle the entire island by car in under an hour, taking in stunning ocean views, remnants of World War II bunkers, and clusters of colorful homes that speak to Nauru's resilient spirit and layered past.

Nestled high in the Pyrenees, Soldeu is a mountain village in the principality of Andorra, best known for its access to Grandvalira, which is one of the largest ski areas in Southern Europe. At 1,800 meters above sea level, Soldeu has grown from a quiet farming village into a winter destination with over 200 kilometers of slopes. It hosted World Cup alpine ski races in 2019 and is scheduled to host the Finals again in 2029.

Baddeck sits along the calm waters of the Bras d’Or Lake on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, a village with deep roots and stories to tell. Its name comes from an Indigenous word thought to mean “place with an island near,” a nod to nearby Kidston Island and the long history of the Mi’kmaq people in the area. A highlight for many visitors is the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, where the legacy of one of history’s most inventive minds comes alive.

Spain’s Santiago de Compostela is more than just a final stop on a famous pilgrimage route, it’s a city steeped in centuries of spiritual significance, architectural grandeur, and lively Galician culture.