For years, Mexico’s beachy resort towns have eclipsed its cities in the eyes of international visitors. For instance, Mexico City sees a mere fraction of the American arrivals compared to Cancún. However, as the world has woken up to the innumerable treasures Mexico’s major metropolises have to offer—ranging from the thriving arts scene of San Miguel de Allende to the rich food culture of Oaxaca—this perception is finally changing. Fortunately for travelers, a wealth of fabulous places to stay in Mexico’s most exciting cities is now available.

Located on Manitoba’s Hudson Bay, and known as the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’, the remote, 900-person town of Churchill is a magnet for those seeking wildlife and nature experiences. However, furry predators, beluga whales, and awe-inspiring nature are not the only attractions in this unique destination.

London’s food scene is as multicultural as its population, making it possible to whisk your taste buds off on a round-the-world trip without your feet leaving the city. From delectable Japanese noodles to devilishly indulgent American burgers, this guide will show you how to savor some of the highlights of world cuisine all in London town.

As with everywhere on this trip, we arrived in Rome in the dark cloak of night. Consequently, the next morning, we were pleasantly surprised when we looked around and saw the stunning rolling Roman hills beautifully contrasting that lovely blue sky!

Here’s the thing about trains: they take you behind the façade of a place and show you fleeting, random glimpses of ordinary life, sometimes beautiful, sometimes gritty. It’s the variety pack, not the greatest hits. Traveling from Istanbul to Budapest on a luxurious private train called the Danube Express, I looked out on storybook medieval villages and gloomy Communist housing blocks, smokestacked industrial suburbs and endless fields of sunflowers. Countless anonymous homes came and went, with countless laundry-garlanded back gardens. Bystanders took phone videos of our cream-and-blue carriages, which were restored in the style of a glamorous fin de siècle sleeper train.

Brisbane, Australia’s third largest city, has shed its country town image for a more cosmopolitan edge, intriguing locals and international travellers alike. In plain sight, the Queensland capital is blossoming into a destination rife with culture, chic hotels, world-class developments, and a notable foodie scene, commanding respect from its bigger siblings, Melbourne and Sydney.