Mirissa, a sun-drenched jewel on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, pulses with a laid-back energy. Golden beaches curve into sparkling waters where surfers carve gentle waves by day and the shoreline comes alive with cozy bars and music after dark. It’s the perfect springboard for exploring the storied ramparts of Galle Fort and the deep blue nearby plays host to unforgettable whale and dolphin excursions — sea-spray mornings that feel made for stories.

Located in Japan’s Kansai region just south of Kyoto and east of Osaka, Nara is a true hidden gem. It's home to many early emperor palaces, large Shinto shrines and over 1,200 wild and hungry deer that roam freely.

Once the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom of Ruhuna as early as the 3rd century BC, Tissamaharama is steeped in history. This quiet town in Sri Lanka is known for Buddhist monasteries, beautiful beaches and wildlife reserves like Yala National Park, where visitors can join a wildlife safari.

Mirissa: a sleepy southern Sri Lankan gem where salt and sizzling seafood fill the air, crescent beaches beguile, whale-watching awes and Galle waits nearby.

Central Turkey's dry region of Cappadocia is known for its magical fairy chimneys, hot air balloons and mysterious caves. To unwind, enjoy hookah, browse for local artifacts or smash a fiery clay pot overflowing with testi kebab for dinner.

Once a retreat for the British elite and colonial planters of the country’s tea industry, Nuwara Eliya lies in the misty hills of central Sri Lanka with the nickname, “City of Light.” The town has a temperate, chilly climate and is littered with colonial style bungalows and tea plantations.

Coined the "City of a Thousand Temples," Kyoto oozes old world charm, steeped in centuries of spiritual tradition. It's also the perfect jumping off point for areas like Japan’s Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Nara Park.

Formerly Constantinople, Istanbul straddles both Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait and is the largest city and main seaport in Turkey. Delight in all things spices, traditional meze, Turkish baths and towering mosques.

A large city in central Sri Lanka, Kandy is set on a plateau surrounded by mountains home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforests. The city is famed for sacred Buddhist sites like the Temple of the Tooth's and its heart is the scenic Kandy Lake.

Nestled in verdant mountains north of Tokyo, Nikkō charms with its sacred mountain worship, Toshogu Shrine’s splendor and the wild beauty of Nikkō National Park.

A small town in Sri Lanka, Minneriya is famous for two things — the great Minneriya Lake and Minneriya National Park. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1938, the park is an incredible location for safari lovers and known for its abundance of roaming elephants.

Having lived in Asia, Japan still baffled me: confusing trains, dramatic weather and wild solo adventures — use these Japan travel tips to plan your escape.

Pinnawala is a village near Sri Lanka's capital city of Colombo. The small village is special because of its elephant orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants. Pop over for a night and grab a room overlooking the elephant's watering hole.