The town of Hveragerði, Iceland, just 45 minutes outside the capital city of Reykjavik, was built over a volcanic magma chamber, capitalising on the abundance of steam and hot water rising from the ground. Here, superheated groundwater can reach temperatures of 392°F. Resourcefully, Hveragerði residents have put their thermal endowments to use in a number of creative ways.

For a long time I had dreamed of running away from Kiev, but, for many reasons, I was tied to my city life. Then, during one of my annual small trips around Ukraine, I accidentally found the village of Busha. It was then that I knew that I’d soon be living here – and the very next year I began my new life. I have finally found what I was looking for and am eager to share it with visitors, who can stay in my home.

The island nation of Seychelles, located off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean, is known for its remarkable beauty and breathtaking beaches. The country’s small population and incredible geography and climate makes it one of the most idyllic tourist spots in all of Africa. Seychelles boasts a long and unique history that has been influenced by African, Arab, Asian and European cultures.

Senegal has it all: it is one the most beautiful countries of the West African coast. Most tourists come for the region’s exceptional weather—more than three thousand hours of sunlight per year—and dazzling, sparsely populated beaches. But Senegal also offers a broad variety of crafts and textiles, and the country’s six major game parks and reserves have great opportunities for hunting, bird watching, and ecotourism.

With my rucksack lightly packed, I travelled from summery Delhi to the small town of Leh and the start of my trekking adventure in Ladakh in snowy northern India. I had come to Leh to hike one particular route, called the Chadar Trek, along the frozen Zanskar River, one major reason why tourists visit Ladakh in the winter (mid-January to the end of February).