Some of the most spectacular scenery is found on a trip to the San Juan Islands. No wonder. This 100-million-year-old mountain range turned archipelago, located a few miles northwest of Seattle, changes dramatically with the tide. There are 743 islands at low tide--and 428 at high tide.

Helena is the capital of Montana, set among mountains, forests, and open valleys in the western part of the state. Its identity is closely tied to the gold mining that shaped the early settlement, while the modern city combines historic architecture with an active arts community and extensive outdoor recreation.

Konya has served as a spiritual center for centuries. Every December, the Şeb‑i Arûs festival marks the passing of Rumi, the Persian mystic, and draws Sufis and visitors from around the world to witness the Sema. Whirling dervish dance is performed to the sound of ney flutes and drums. In one of the country's most hushed and vivid traditions, performers spin in unison in flowing white skirts, a scene that blends meditation with graceful motion in a way found nowhere else.

A true destination, Alyeska is Alaska's biggest ski area. At the summit sits Mt. Alyeska Roundhouse, the state's only mountaintop museum.

Uyuni, in southwestern Bolivia, is best known as the gateway to the world’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni. Once a humble railway town, Uyuni has grown into a base for travelers drawn to this surreal landscape, where an ancient dried-up lake has left behind a vast expanse of glistening salt crust.

Koggala is a coastal town in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province, located between the Indian Ocean and the wide waters of Koggala Lake. The area is defined by sandy beaches, wetlands, small islands, and lowland vegetation, with the lagoon forming an important part of its landscape. Koggala offers a quieter coastal setting close to Galle and Habaraduwa, while its combination of ocean and inland waterways gives the town a distinctive character. The lake also supports fishing and small-scale boat activit