Visit Herat

Visit Kandahar, Afghanistan's second-largest city and a historic center of Pashtun culture. Explore the Old City's mud-brick architecture and the 18th-century Shrine of the Cloak (housing a relic believed to be Prophet Muhammad's cloak). See the Kandahar Museum (featuring artifacts from the region's ancient Buddhist and Islamic periods) and visit the Arghandab River valley (known for its pomegranate orchards and agricultural significance).

Visit Mazar-i-Sharif, a major city in northern Afghanistan known for its cultural and religious significance. Explore the Blue Mosque (a stunning 15th-century shrine with intricate tilework and a large courtyard), see the ancient Balkh ruins (once a center of Zoroastrianism and Buddhism), and experience the Nowruz festival (celebrated with traditional music and kite-flying).

Visit Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. Explore the historic Babur Gardens (a restored 16th-century Mughal garden with terraced lawns and a tomb of Emperor Babur), see the National Museum of Afghanistan (home to artifacts like the Bactrian Gold and Buddhist relics), and wander through the bustling Chicken Street (a traditional market known for carpets, antiques, and local crafts).

Explore the Hindu Kush peaks, Silk Road citadels, and resilient traditions of Afghanistan

Enjoy a traditional Persian soup called Ash (Aush, Aash), known for its rich flavors and nutritious ingredients

Visit Bamyan, a historic city in Afghanistan known for its ancient Buddhist heritage and the famous Buddha statues that were destroyed in 2001.

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).