Visit Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Explore the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (a gold-domed Orthodox church built in the early 20th century), see the ancient Serdica Roman ruins at the metro station, stroll through Vitosha Boulevard (a pedestrian street with shops and views of Vitosha Mountain), and visit the National Museum of History (housing Thracian gold treasures and artifacts from Bulgaria's past).
Visit Bordeaux, the wine capital of the world in southwestern France. Explore the historic city center (a UNESCO World Heritage site with 18th-century architecture), tour the Citรฉ du Vin (interactive museum on wine culture), taste local wines like Saint-รmilion or Mรฉdoc, and stroll along the Garonne River waterfront with its Miroir d'Eau reflecting pool.
Visit Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town with its Zytglogge medieval clock tower and arcades, see the Federal Palace (seat of the Swiss government), and view the Bear Park (home to brown bears, the city's heraldic animal).
Visit Riga, the capital of Latvia. Explore the Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage site with medieval architecture like St. Peter's Church and the House of the Blackheads), see the Art Nouveau district (featuring over 800 ornate buildings, such as those on Alberta Street), and visit the Central Market (housed in former Zeppelin hangars, one of Europe's largest markets).
Eat your way through Lima, South America's food capital, between colonial plazas and Pacific clifftops
Visit Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Explore the historic Upper Town (Gornji Grad) with St. Mark's Church (colorful tiled roof depicting medieval coats of arms) and the Lotrลกฤak Tower (19th-century cannon fired daily at noon). Stroll through the Dolac Market (one of the largest open-air markets in Europe, known for fresh produce and local crafts) and see the Museum of Broken Relationships (unique collection of personal objects and stories about failed relationships).
Visit Canberra, the capital of Australia. Explore the Australian War Memorial (commemorating military history with extensive exhibits and the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier), wander through the National Gallery of Australia (home to over 160,000 works including Indigenous and international art), and see Parliament House (the iconic building atop Capital Hill with a 81-meter flagpole and public tours). Enjoy a stroll around Lake Burley Griffin (a man-made lake offering scenic views and recreational activities).
Visit Manila, capital of the Philippines. Explore Intramuros (the historic walled city with Spanish-era fortifications), see the San Agustin Church (a UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest stone church in the country), stroll along the Manila Baywalk for sunset views over the bay, and try local street food like balut (fertilized duck egg) or halo-halo (a colorful shaved ice dessert).
Visit Zanzibar, an archipelago off the coast of Tanzania. Explore Stone Town (a UNESCO World Heritage site with narrow alleys and historic Swahili architecture), relax on Nungwi Beach (known for its white sands and clear turquoise waters), and snorkel or dive in the Mnemba Atoll Marine Conservation Area (home to vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life like turtles and dolphins).
Acclimatize in Cusco, the Inca capital where colonial churches stand on six-hundred-year-old stone foundations
Visit Perth, capital of Western Australia. Explore Kings Park (one of the world's largest inner-city parks with panoramic views of the Swan River and city skyline), see the historic Fremantle Prison (a UNESCO World Heritage site built by convicts in the 1850s), stroll through the vibrant Northbridge district (known for its street art, cafes, and cultural venues like the Art Gallery of Western Australia), and relax at Cottesloe Beach (a popular spot for swimming, surfing, and sunset views).
Visit Penang, a Malaysian island state known for its historic George Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial architecture and street art), Penang Hill (funicular railway with panoramic views), Kek Lok Si Temple (one of Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temples), and local food like char kway teow (stir-fried rice noodles) and asam laksa (spicy fish noodle soup).
Visit Victoria Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe. See the Main Falls (over 100m high with a 1.7km wide curtain of water), walk through the rainforest (created by spray), and take a helicopter flight for aerial views. Spot wildlife like elephants and hippos in nearby Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
Visit Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Walk through Baลกฤarลกija (the old bazaar with Ottoman-era shops and the Sebilj fountain), see the Latin Bridge (where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, sparking World War I), explore the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (a 16th-century Ottoman landmark with intricate architecture), and try local dishes like ฤevapi (grilled minced meat) and burek (savory pastry).
Visit Split, Croatia's second-largest city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage site with ancient cellars and a peristyle). Walk along the Riva waterfront promenade, climb Marjan Hill for panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea, and explore the Cathedral of Saint Domnius (originally Diocletian's mausoleum, one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals in the world).
Visit Nagoya, a major city in Japan known for its historic Nagoya Castle, modern architecture, and automotive industry.
Visit Malaga, a vibrant coastal city in Andalusia, Spain, known for its beaches, historic sites, and birthplace of Pablo Picasso.
Visit Yokohama, Japan's second-largest city. Explore the Minato Mirai 21 district with its iconic Landmark Tower (Japan's tallest building until 2014), stroll through the historic Yamate area (Western-style houses from the Meiji era), and sample ramen at the Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum (a theme park dedicated to ramen with replicas of 1950s streets).
Visit Bergen, Norway's second-largest city and gateway to the fjords. Explore the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Hanseatic wharf with its colorful wooden buildings dating to the 14th century, ride the Flรธibanen funicular to Mount Flรธyen for panoramic views over the city and fjords, and wander through the Bergen Fish Market to sample fresh seafood like salmon and king crab. Don't miss the KODE art museums, which house works by Edvard Munch and other Norwegian artists.
Visit Rhodes, the largest of Greece's Dodecanese islands. Explore the medieval Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage site with the Palace of the Grand Master), see the ancient Acropolis of Lindos (cliff-top ruins with views over St Paul's Bay), relax at Anthony Quinn Bay (a scenic cove named after the actor), and visit the Valley of the Butterflies (a natural reserve with thousands of Jersey tiger moths in summer).
Visit Alexandria, Egypt's historic Mediterranean port city. Explore the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (modern revival of the ancient Library of Alexandria with museums and planetarium), see the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa (Roman-era burial site blending Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art), and stroll along the Corniche (seafront promenade with views of Qaitbay Citadel, a 15th-century fortress built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria).
Visit Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town with its Baroque architecture and the Gediminas' Tower (historic castle ruin offering panoramic city views). See the Gate of Dawn (iconic shrine with a revered painting of the Virgin Mary) and visit the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (housed in the former KGB headquarters, detailing Soviet-era history).
Visit Bilbao, the largest city in Spain's Basque Country. Explore the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (Frank Gehry's titanium-clad masterpiece housing contemporary art), stroll through the Casco Viejo (historic old town with the Santiago Cathedral and Plaza Nueva), ride the funicular up Mount Artxanda for panoramic views, and sample pintxos (Basque tapas) in the lively bars of the Indautxu district.
Visit Mostar, a historic city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Walk across the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), a 16th-century Ottoman bridge rebuilt after the war, and explore the Old Town with its cobblestone streets and traditional shops. See the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque for panoramic views and visit the Museum of Herzegovina to learn about local history and culture.
Visit Moscow, capital of Russia. Explore Red Square (home to St. Basil's Cathedral with its colorful onion domes and the Kremlin, a historic fortress and political center), see the Bolshoi Theatre (renowned for ballet and opera performances), and ride the Moscow Metro (known for its ornate stations with chandeliers and mosaics).
Visit Shenzhen, a major tech hub in southern China. Explore the bustling Huaqiangbei electronics market (one of the world's largest for components and gadgets), see the modern skyline from the observation deck of the Ping An Finance Centre (China's second-tallest building at 599m), and relax at the OCT-LOFT creative park (a repurposed industrial area with art galleries, cafes, and design studios).
Visit Adelaide, capital of South Australia. Wander the Botanic Garden (glasshouse rainforest, restored 19th-century palm house), see Australian and Indigenous art at the Art Gallery of South Australia, browse the historic Central Market (one of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere), and take in a match or tour at the Adelaide Oval (iconic cricket ground with heritage scoreboard and city views).
Visit Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. Explore the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA, Australia's largest private museum with provocative contemporary art), climb Mount Wellington (1,271m peak offering panoramic views over the city and Derwent River), stroll through Salamanca Place (historic sandstone warehouses now housing galleries, cafes, and the famous Saturday market), and sample fresh seafood at the waterfront, like oysters from nearby Bruny Island.
Visit Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka in India. Explore the Bangalore Palace (a Tudor-style mansion inspired by Windsor Castle), stroll through Lalbagh Botanical Garden (home to a 300-year-old silk cotton tree and glasshouse), and try local street food like masala dosa at Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR).
Visit Fez, Morocco's cultural and spiritual capital. Explore the UNESCO-listed medina of Fes el-Bali, one of the world's largest car-free urban areas, with its labyrinthine alleys and historic gates like Bab Bou Jeloud. See the University of al-Qarawiyyin, founded in 859 AD and considered the oldest continuously operating university. Admire the intricate zellij tilework and cedar wood carvings at the Bou Inania Madrasa, and experience the vibrant tanneries of Chouara, where leather has been dyed using traditional methods for centuries.
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