Fuvahmulah, part of the Maldives, stands apart as the only island in the country that is both a single atoll and a single island. Unlike the ring-shaped atolls that define most of the Maldives, Fuvahmulah has freshwater lakes, fertile soil, and lush greenery.

Elvas rises from the Alentejo plains near the Spanish border as one of Portugal’s most striking fortified towns, shaped by centuries of defense, resilience, and daily life along the frontier. Encircled by an immense network of walls, bastions, and hilltop forts, the town tells a clear story of strategy and survival, from the sweeping views at Forte da Graça to the quiet streets within the historic center.

Belgium may be compact, but it offers a surprising variety of experiences shaped by centuries of shifting borders, artistic innovation, and culinary tradition. In Brussels, the Grand Place sets the stage for history and architecture in one square lined with ornate guild halls. The city is also home to the European Union’s headquarters, surrealist painter René Magritte’s former house, and a lively comic book trail that winds through murals of Tintin and other Belgian icons.

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.

Nestled on the southern shores of its namesake lake, Wanaka is a charming resort town in New Zealand's South Island that offers a captivating blend of adventure, relaxation, and stunning natural beauty. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear waters, Wanaka is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Mount Nebo rises in western Jordan, overlooking the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, and, on clear days, Jerusalem and Jericho.