Whitehorse, the capital of Canada’s Yukon Territory, sits along the Yukon River and serves as the cultural, economic, and transportation heart of the North. Its history is closely tied to the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s, when prospectors passed through the area on their way to Dawson City.

Paso Robles is a city in California’s Central Coast, situated between the coastal mountains and the inland valleys of San Luis Obispo County. The surrounding landscape includes rolling hills, vineyards, oak woodlands, ranches, and agricultural fields, with the Salinas River passing through the area. The city’s compact downtown is centered on a historic public square and contains restaurants, tasting rooms, shops, and galleries.

Pattaya is a coastal city in Chon Buri Province on Thailand's eastern Gulf coast, within easy reach of Bangkok. It developed from a small fishing community into a major seaside urban center, and today its landscape includes beaches, a busy waterfront, hotels, shopping areas, residential neighborhoods, and entertainment districts. Pattaya Beach forms the central shoreline, while Jomtien Beach extends south of the city and provides a more spacious coastal setting.

Greece is a country where layers of history sit side by side with everyday life. In Athens, visitors can stand at the foot of the Acropolis and look up at the Parthenon, built more than 2,400 years ago, then walk a few blocks to modern cafes buzzing with conversation and music. The city’s neighborhoods, like Plaka and Monastiraki, offer both ancient ruins and small family-run shops selling handmade sandals and olive oil soap.

Who would have thought, back in the tumultuous coup and counter coup days of the 1970s, that Burkina Faso would become the cultural darling of West Africa? Unlikely as it seems, Burkina Faso has become the Utah of West Africa, hosting a biennial film festival that rivals the Sundance Film Festival for cultural clout. When it's not hosting film festivals, it's busy organizing its other biennial cultural festival.

The city of Puerto Montt sits on the coast of Chile's Lake District and is considered a gateway to some of the country's most breathtaking natural beauty, including the fjords of Patagonia and the impressive Andes mountain range. Puerto Montt often serves as a port for South American cruises.