Fluffy white clouds roll across skies that always seem to gleam in a spectrum of blue in the Poconos. The majesty continues with a palette of rustic orange in the fall, the pristine white of snowfall in the winter, and the verdant emerald of forests and hillsides in the summer. Reigning for decades as a popular vacation area for citizens of New York and New Jersey, the Pocono Mountains must be seen in person to be believed. Lakes and rivers to explore, land to hunt, and various ski resorts provide an unforgettable outdoors experience.

“Rio is a beauty. But São Paulo, São Paulo is a city,” said Marlene Dietrich about Brazil's most cosmopolitan city. São Paulo is Brazil’s cultural as well as financial powerhouse, complete with a vibrant music scene, top-designer shopping, and delicious gastronomy, not to mention world-class museums and art galleries. All this is combined with the vibrant local life of Paulistanos, who will surely be easy to make friends with.

Located in the southeast of France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur is a charming region celebrated for its beautiful coastline, with popular destinations like Nice and Saint-Tropez, as well as its spectacular natural scenery, ranging from the majestic French Alps to the awe-inspiring lavender fields. Provence boasts numerous historical landmarks, including the ancient Roman city of Arles and the Palais des Papes in Avignon. The region is also a hotspot for outdoor activities, such as skiing and hiking, and hosts renowned festivals, such as the Cannes Film Festival and the Avignon Theatre Festival.

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.