Few places in Europe have remained off the beaten path as much as the Kosovar first city; fewer yet have been at the heart of a political dispute as agonising in recent history. Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, one of the world's youngest states, boasts a youthful populace to match, and exudes a lust for life that's virtually tangible. Still rough around the edges and with no tourist information offices in sight, Pristina remains uncharted territory, a state of affairs foreseen to change as the city attracts a growing number of visitors.

In 1831, Charles Darwin sailed to South America aboard the H.M.S. Beagle. On the return voyage across the Pacific, the vessel stopped on a small group of islands far off the Ecuadorian coast, changing the course of human scientific endeavour and self-understanding forever. Fascinated by the unique wildlife on the islands, Darwin collected biological specimens and studied them over the next 30 years. His findings led to the formulation of the scientific theory of evolution by natural selection. This small group of islands and their one-of-a-kind wildlife are to thank for one of humanity's most remarkable discoveries. And today, almost 200 years later, they remain a source of endless fascination and a favourite travel destination for scientists, nature and wildlife enthusiasts, scuba divers, and anyone interested in the wonders of the natural world.

Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital, captivates with its romantic bridges and scenic waterways. The city's architecture showcases its rich cultural heritage. The historic centre, at the foot of a hill topped by the iconic Ljubljana Castle, is compact and easily explored on foot or by bike. Surrounded by lush landscapes, the city offers abundant opportunities for hiking, cycling, and outdoor activities.

Clear blue waters, mild temperatures and caressing sunshine. It is easy to see how the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, was born from the waves lapping onto the Cypriot shore. The mythology, language, traditions and lifestyle are Greek, but the island features a beauty that is shrouded by its own, one-of-a-kind atmosphere, shaped by a structure that divides Cyprus and its capital Nicosia into the Turkish North and the Greek South. Its multi-faceted personality has an allure that attracts tons of holidaymakers.

The Island of Hawaii is known colloquially as the Big Island — a fitting nickname for an island twice the combined size of its neighboring counterparts! Big Island flaunts its colors like the plumes of a peacock: fierce reds of magma from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park contrast spectacularly with the bright white snow of Maunakea, while the electric black sands of Punaluu Beach stream into the emerald green of the Hamakua Coast’s rainforests.