Kolkata, often referred to as the "City of Joy," is a mesmerizing blend of rich history, culture, and artistic heritage that makes it a must-visit destination for any traveler to India. Once the capital of British India, Kolkata retains much of its colonial-era charm with iconic landmarks like the Victoria Memorial, a stunning marble building surrounded by lush gardens, which now serves as a museum showcasing the city’s colonial and Indian history.

The capital of Crete, Heraklion is a Greek port city and a popular stop on Mediterranean and Greek cruises. The city is an historical marvel, replete with archaeological wonders and remnants of the region's past. Highlights include the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the Rocca a Mare Fortress, the Venetian Loggia, and just past the city limits, the Palace of Knossos.

Tree-lined avenues, grand architecture, and the imperative to live well defines Bucharest, a bustling city that is rebounding and expanding. In the 1900s, this vibrant Romanian capital was nicknamed "Little Paris" and that jubilant, raise-a-glass spirit carries over to this day.

French Guiana, tucked between Brazil and Suriname on the northeast coast of South America, offers an unexpected blend of Amazonian wilderness, colonial intrigue, and French flair. As an overseas department of France, it uses the euro, speaks French, and has croissants alongside cassava bread at breakfast. Yet just beyond the cafés of Cayenne, vast rainforest stretches for hundreds of kilometers, home to rare wildlife, remote rivers, and Indigenous communities.

Lake Tana, located in the northwest of Ethiopia, is the country’s largest freshwater lake and the source of the Blue Nile. Its calm waters are dotted with more than 30 islands, many of which are home to ancient monasteries adorned with religious paintings and manuscripts.