This Sicily harbor city is divided from Italy proper by the Strait of Messina. Visitors marvel at the Gothic, bell-towered Norman Messina Cathedral.

Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, sits along the Danube River at the crossroads of Central Europe. It's the only capital in the world bordering Austria and Hungary, which makes it an easy stop on many European itineraries. Yet Bratislava is more than a waypoint; it offers a compact city center filled with centuries of history. The Old Town’s cobbled lanes lead past Gothic cathedrals, Baroque palaces, and buildings once used by Habsburg royalty.

This cultural capital and university city holds more than 2,000 years of history and is the cultural hub of Germany. Marvel at the gorgeous twin-spired Cologne Cathedral, known for its gilded medieval reliquary and sweeping river views, or lose yourself in one of Colonge's many museums for a few hours. Cologne boasts of having most pubs per person in Germany, so make sure you sit down for a refreshing regional Kölsch beer during your travels!

One of Japan's 60 core cities, Aomori is well-known for its beautiful landscapes. Favorite landscapes include the Hakkoda Mountains and Lake Towada. Another of the city's highlights is the Nebuta Matsuri, an annual festival known for its daily parade of giant, colorful lantern floats.

Sao Paulo is Brazil’s largest city and its economic engine, shaped by waves of migration that began in the late 19th century and never truly slowed. Italians, Japanese, Lebanese, and migrants from across Brazil all left visible marks on the city’s neighborhoods, food, and cultural life.

Phillip Island, a serene escape located just 90 minutes from Melbourne, Australia, is a natural wonderland that entices visitors with its stunning coastal landscapes and unique wildlife experiences. The island is most famous for its Penguin Parade, where every evening at sunset, hundreds of little penguins—the smallest penguin species in the world—waddle ashore to their burrows on Summerland Beach.