The region of Lapland, Finland, is a dream come true for travelers in search of a real winter wonderland. The area has long been associated with Father Christmas, reindeer and a dense, snow-covered wilderness.

Lead’s Main Street reflects its long history with places that invite people to explore local life beyond mining. The Black Hills Mining Museum offers displays of mining tools, machinery and a simulated underground mine experience that brings to life how miners worked the Black Hills over generations. Along the same street, galleries, cafés and historic buildings make for pleasant stops between deeper dives into the past.

Saratoga Springs, New York, has long drawn visitors with its bubbling mineral springs, historic charm, and a calendar full of events that give the town a lively edge. Known as “The Spa City,” Saratoga first gained fame in the 19th century for its naturally carbonated waters, believed to have healing properties. Downtown Saratoga Springs is known for its walkable streets, filled with locally owned boutiques, cafés, and bookstores.

Visitors to this breathtaking and romantic Cyclades archipelago will gaze at the whitewashed cubiform houses sitting cliffside and hovering over the water.

Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, sits where the Blue and White Nile rivers meet, creating a unique landscape of waterways, islands, and riverbanks.