Sintra, located just 40 minutes from Lisbon, feels like a world apart. Tucked into the hills of the Serra de Sintra, this town has drawn kings, poets, and explorers for centuries. It was once the summer retreat of Portuguese royalty, who left behind palaces and gardens that seem pulled from a storybook. The most famous, Palácio da Pena, is perched high above the town with bold red and yellow towers that blend Romanticism with Moorish and Gothic styles.

Bright red Molja Lighthouse beckons you to explore Alesund, the tiny seaside town along the western fjords of Norway. A popular destination for Norwegian cruises, this coastal jewel will charm you with a colorful harbor, verdant natural beauty, and fresh seafood.

Portoroz lies on Slovenia’s short Adriatic coast, where its identity has been shaped by the sea and by centuries of salt production in the nearby Sečovlje pans.

Shanghai is a city where contrasting timelines meet at every corner. Once a small fishing village along the Huangpu River, it grew rapidly during the 19th century into a major trading port. Today, its skyline tells a story of that transformation. On one side, the Bund’s colonial-era buildings stand tall in limestone and granite; on the other, the futuristic towers of Pudong, like the Shanghai Tower and Jin Mao, stretch into the clouds.

Borgarfjörður, nestled in the heart of West Iceland, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. The fjord, surrounded by dramatic mountains and lush green landscapes, provides a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. One of the highlights of the area is the magnificent Hraunfossar waterfalls, where crystal-clear water cascades over lava fields into the Hvítá River, creating a breathtaking spectacle.