Visitors to Thailand's southern island of Phuket will find pure white sands, turquoise waters, and limestone cliffs. This island, which is surrounded by the Andaman Sea and is about an hour by plane from Bangkok, is a tiny bit of heaven with reasonably priced hotels, spa treatments, and boat cruises. But, in addition to its tropical charm, Phuket entices visitors with its tasty cuisine (think lemongrass, lime leaves, and chilies) and rich culture, which is greatly inspired by the country's dominant religion: Buddhism.

Sedona is located near Flagstaff, Arizona, at the bottom of Oak Creek Canyon. It is located in an area where human existence has existed for over 10,000 years. The population was made up of hunter-gatherers who later began basic farming.