Visit Timbuktu

Visit Bamako, the capital and largest city of Mali. Explore the National Museum of Mali (Muso Kunda) showcasing Malian cultural heritage and archaeological finds, stroll through the Grand Marché (large central market with textiles, crafts, and local goods), and see the Bamako Grand Mosque (a prominent Sudano-Sahelian style mosque built in the 1970s).

Follow Niger River towns, mud-brick mosques, and desert blues of Mali

Learn Modern Standard Arabic and its unique script

Attend a live concert by Tinariwen, the Tuareg desert blues band

Visit Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands. Cruise the UNESCO-listed canal ring (17th-century waterways with over 1,500 bridges), see masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, explore the Anne Frank House (historic hiding place during WWII), and wander the Jordaan district (picturesque streets with cafes and boutiques).

Visit Barcelona, capital of Catalonia in Spain. See the Sagrada Familia (Antoni Gaudí's unfinished basilica with intricate facades and towering spires), stroll down La Rambla (tree-lined pedestrian street with street performers and La Boqueria market), explore Park Güel (Gaudí's whimsical public park with mosaic-covered structures and city views), and admire the Gothic Quarter (medieval streets with the Barcelona Cathedral and Roman ruins).

Visit Bangkok, capital of Thailand. Explore the Grand Palace (home of the Emerald Buddha and intricate Thai architecture), take a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River (passing temples and local life), shop at Chatuchak Weekend Market (one of the world's largest markets with over 15,000 stalls), and sample street food like pad thai and mango sticky rice at Yaowarat (Chinatown's vibrant food scene).

Visit Bali, Indonesia's famous island known for its vibrant culture and natural beauty. Explore the Uluwatu Temple (a sea cliff temple with traditional Kecak dance performances at sunset), see the Tegallalang Rice Terraces (stunning UNESCO-listed stepped rice paddies), relax at Kuta Beach (popular for surfing and sunsets), and visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud (home to hundreds of long-tailed macaques and ancient temples).