Inverness, the self-proclaimed 'Capital of the Highlands', is a city located in the northernmost region of Britain and boasts breathtaking mountain and moorland scenery. It sits on the River Ness, just a short distance from the famous Loch Ness, known for its legendary Monster. The city is home to impressive historic structures and provides convenient access to various outdoor adventures, from lochs and castles to nature reserves and battlefields.

Despite being Slovenia’s second largest city, Maribor has the charm of a small town where nature and city live in close proximity. Embraced on all sides by lush green hills which in winter turn white and are excellent for skiing, forests and vineyards, most within an easy walk from the centre, you can sample the cafes and restaurants and stroll through the vibrant streets of the old town. But the nearby hills are a constant reminder that nature is just a few steps away and a whole world of leisure awaits you.

Situated at the crossroads of three great rivers – the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac – Phnom Penh is the heart of a country steeped in tradition, overflowing with rice paddies, jungles, and rural communities. Once a sleepy backwater, Phnom Penh, now, buzzes with commercial activity as the country develops after years of isolation. Old French colonial mansions stand alongside newly emerging designs, which make the city’s mixed architecture and communities fascinating to explore.

Valladolid breathes history. This is the place where King Felipe II was born, the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabel were married, and Christopher Columbus died. This was once the capital of Spain, and although it has lost this title, it's still the principal city of Castilla y Leon, the land of castles from which the word ‘Castilian’ is derived. Today, Valladolid is a bustling university city that thrives on its manufacturing industries. It is a down-to-earth, lively place that blends the old with the energetic new.

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.