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.

Founded by the Spanish in 1521, Old San Juan is the oldest city in U.S. territories — charming cobblestone streets, colonial forts, sunny plazas, secret patios and nearby El Yunque rainforest.

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.

Viñales a small town west of Havana with green rolling hills planted with fruit, vegetables, coffee and tobacco. It’s known for steep limestone hills called mogotes which dot the landscape and gardens full of palms and orchids.

A short drive from Mexico City, Teotihuacán charms with its soaring Sun and Moon pyramids — seen at sunrise from hot-air balloons — plus vivid murals and gleaming obsidian tools.

Though I'd already lived in Asia, some of Japan's rules were simply lost on me. And as predicted, it was a tough country to explore on my own. Tricky transportation, swarming tourists and wild weather were a challenge to navigate.

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.

Perched nearly 8,000 feet high, Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Incan citadel above the Urubamba Valley — abandoned yet still whispering its ancient mysteries.

Trinidad, a UNESCO site since 1988 for its 18th–19th century sugar-trade history, remains one of the Caribbean’s most beautifully preserved colonial gems.

Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is famed for its rich history, culture and architecture. Cobblestone streets lead visitors to Plaza de Armas, alongside archaeological remains like the Twelve-Angled Stone. It's also the spot for freshwater trout ceviche and the perfect jumping off point for Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain.

Creating travel as a priority, choosing the ultimate destination and money saving tips to help your holiday run smoothly.