Khao Lak rests quietly along Thailand’s Andaman coastline, about an hour north of Phuket, yet it feels worlds apart. This stretch of shoreline runs for miles, with wide sandy beaches that often seem almost untouched. The name itself comes from the nearby mountain that rises behind the coast, giving the area a dramatic backdrop where forest meets sea.

Madinah, officially Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, is a city in western Saudi Arabia with a central place in Islamic history and religious life. The city developed around an oasis and is surrounded by volcanic hills and rocky terrain, giving its urban landscape a distinct setting. At its heart stands Al Masjid an Nabawi, the Mosque of the Prophet Muhammad, which is one of the most important religious sites in Islam.

West of Vienna, the quaint town of Dürnstein lies on the banks of the iconic Danube and is the perfect destination for river cruising, sightseeing, and enjoying the best of Austrian culture. Though small, this picturesque village offers plenty to see and do.

Bel Ombre is a coastal village and rural district on the southwestern side of Mauritius, set between the Indian Ocean and the forested slopes of the Black River Gorges. The area is known for its combination of sugar-growing land, native forest, rivers, and a sheltered lagoon. Much of the surrounding landscape forms part of the wider Bel Ombre estate, where agriculture has gradually been joined by conservation and tourism.

Nosara, on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, is a laid-back coastal town known for its strong connection to wellness, nature, and surf culture. Unlike some of the country’s busier resorts, Nosara has kept development low-key, with no large beachfront hotels and a community that values sustainability.

The Loire Valley stretches along the gentle curves of France’s longest river, a place where riverside towns, historic estates and vineyards have shaped daily life for centuries. This long stretch of landscape was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its remarkable cultural landscape, which includes towns like Tours, Blois, Amboise and Saumur and a tapestry of castles standing beside the river banks.