Just 250 kilometres north of the polar circle, the summer sun shines for almost two months without going down, while the polar nights offer the most intense Northern Lights that can be seen. In Kiruna, the northernmost city in Sweden, you can go slalom skiing until midsummer or spend the night in a magnificent hotel built from ice. The phrase "kingdom of contrasts" is overused, but Kiruna truly embodies it.

The island of Mauritius lies about 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. As part of the Republic of Mauritius, which also includes the nearby islands of Rodrigues, Agaléga and St. Brandon, Mauritius has a long history of colonial conquests, disputed by the Netherlands, France and Great Britain. Having gained independence in 1968, the Republic of Mauritius retains its colourful diversity, remaining multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multicultural and multilingual, giving shape to a very own, unique environment.

St. Louis, the largest city in the Great Plains, is known as the "Gateway to the West." This vibrant city is famous for its iconic 630-foot Gateway Arch and its role in westward expansion. But there's much more to discover! Artisanal breweries, bowling alleys, and baseball games are essential to the city, and a rich musical heritage lives on in countless live-music venues. Explore the city's history and culture along the Mississippi River, and enjoy beautiful parks and delicious local cuisine.

A gateway between the two nations of the Iberian peninsula, Badajoz lies as close to Lisbon as it does to Madrid or Seville, and the city draws on influences from both sides of the border, as well as from centuries of tumultuous history, to form its distinctive character. Winding medieval alleys and a skyline dotted with palace towers make the historic town a sight to behold, while the remnants of the majestic Alcazaba watch over the city as they have for centuries, once an impenetrable fortress that protected the area from countless invasions.