The ancient city of Murcia is located in the mountains, about 25 km away from the Mediterranean Sea. The region is known for agriculture and tourism but also for its charming mountain villages, traditional fishing stations, a green countryside, and unspoiled beaches.

The bright, lively capital of the Loire Valley region is nestled between two rivers: the Loire and the Cher, with the picturesque Vieux Tours old quarter lying on the long, narrow peninsula. Brilliant modern architecture contrasts against an array of historic buildings, with an added bonus of fine food and wine famed all over France.

Cartagena de Indias reigns as the crown jewel of Colombia’s Caribbean coast — not for checklist attractions, but for its sheer atmospheric magic. Within its 16th-century stone walls (built to repel pirates like Sir Francis Drake), the city unfurls as a living postcard: pastel-hued colonial buildings, salsa rhythms spilling onto cobbled streets, and horse-drawn carriages clattering past vibrant plazas. By day, the scent of fried plantains and coconut rice fills the air; by night, rooftop bars hum with rum cocktails and sea breezes.

Costa Rica is a unique Central American country nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. San José, the capital, holds diverse activities for visitors and has an exciting urban life with art galleries, parks, and a vibrant nightlife scene. The country is a worldwide-renowned travel destination praised for its abundance of wildlife, rainforests, volcanoes, beaches, and national parks.

Toulon is a genuine incarnation of Provence—no over-the-top souvenir shops, just markets full of lavender and thyme, a sea breeze that rolls in from the harbour, and a mix of energy and laid-back local life. It’s a working port with a bit of grit, but that’s part of the charm.