Alter do Chão is a riverside village in the Brazilian state of Pará, on the banks of the clear Tapajós River. Though part of the larger municipality of Santarém, Alter do Chão has its own rhythm and identity, known far beyond Brazil for the white-sand beaches that appear when river levels drop between July and December. One of the most famous spots is Ilha do Amor (Love Island), a sandbar just off the village shore that feels almost like a hidden world of warm water and bright sky.

The South Pacific stretches across a vast expanse of ocean, dotted with thousands of islands that vary from remote atolls to vibrant cultural hubs.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a city where centuries-old adobe architecture, desert landscapes, and modern innovation meet beneath some of the clearest skies in the country. Every October, Albuquerque becomes the site of one of the most photographed events in the world: the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. For nine crisp mornings, hundreds of hot air balloons rise over the city, painting the sky in brilliant colors and wild shapes with everything from farm animals to space aliens.

Lake District National Park, in northwest England’s Cumbria, is a landscape of lakes, fells, and valleys that has inspired poets, painters, and travelers for centuries. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the region is famed for its literary connections.

Grand Junction, located on Colorado’s Western Slope, is a destination where desert canyons meet fertile vineyards and rugged plateaus overlook winding rivers. The town sits at the junction of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers, which historically made it a vital meeting point for Native American tribes, trappers, and settlers. Today, visitors come for its striking landscapes, laid-back pace, and a growing food and wine scene that's putting this region on the map for more than just its scenery.