Life in the landlocked heartland is far more diverse and exciting than bi-coastal types like to think. Take this remote northeast corner of Missouri. Exotic visitors from far-off places literally flock here. As the fertile floodplain of the Missouri River bottom was drained and planted with crops in the 1930s, FDR had the foresight to protect this little patch of wetlands. The Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge's location along the Central Flyway makes it a wildly popular fall stopover for shorebirds like ibis, sandpipers, pelicans, and cormorants. But the avian cacophony reaches its critical mass—a mind-boggling 400,000 snow geese and 100,000 ducks—in October and November, making this peaceful, unassuming spot, for a short time, one of the most densely populated bird cities in the country. Once they move on, the bald eagles sweep in—as many as 400 have been sighted feeding here in the winter. Platforms, dikes, and towers make it easy to surround yourself with water, native prairie grasslands, and over 300 species of birds.

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If you could take just one photo: Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens

Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens is an Asian theme hotel with all of the tranquility, peace and serenity of Japan complete with a zen garden on the roof which will transport you from the hustle and bustle of L.A., to a safe and calm place, with not a care in the world. The landscape is so colorful, robust and eye pleasing that you will be lost in it's beauty and peace will overcome you as the sound of the trickling waters soothe you as you pass over the footbridge on your walk through the garden.

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Meandering the narrow streets of the city one feels welcomed by the fragrant aromas that set Florence apart from the rest of the world. Balmy daytime temperatures are offset by beautiful breezy evenings, offering lovers a welcoming break and a chance to once again get close. The muddled street grid threatens one to lose their way but beautiful art seems to beckon around every corner, resetting your inner compass. A short hike at sunset invites aspiring photographers the chance-of-a-lifetime photo op of rustic rooftops and awe-inspiring Santa Maria del Fiore standing guard over the city. A reluctant end to the evening is kindled by the intertwining of hands, a welcome embrace or unexpected kiss while overlooking the historic Ponte Vecchio at the Arno River. It is truly a feast for your eyes!

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Not only is the city of Bath renowned as a former Roman spa town, but also for the elegance and beauty of its Georgian architecture, especially that of the scenic Pulteney Bridge built between 1769 and 1773. The design was inspired by the classic bridges of Florence and Venice—it is one of only four in the world to have shops and cafes stretching full span on both sides, where shoppers can buy flowers and antiques. Named in honor of his wife Francis by William Pulteney, a prominent 18th-century citizen, this three-arch bridge crosses the beautiful River Avon, providing an idyllic setting for artists, photographers, picnickers, boaters, and tourists.

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The word Chipping is an Old English term which roughly means "marketplace." During the Middle Ages the elegant village of Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds hills was a major trading and market center, especially for wool and cheese. Lining the main avenue called High Street are curving rows of joined houses and shops made out of honey-colored stone and with gabled roofs. In about an hour's walk you'll see most of this small village, including the famous Parish Church of St. James, built in the Gothic style by prosperous wool merchants during the 15th century. Nearby lies the Almshouses, built in 1612 to house six poor men and six poor women.

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This stone fortress is considered the loveliest of castles, standing 40 miles SE of London. Also known as "The Castle of Queens", the outside of Leeds Castle still retains its medieval facade, and the interior is breathtaking. Six queens reigned here from medieval times to the Middle Ages, and in recent times wealthy families and heiresses lived here. Each successor decorated the rooms and hallways fitting their own tastes. The castle is a huge collection of precious porcelain, paintings, tapestry, statues, carvings, antique books and manuscripts, curtains, and furniture. The castle occupies two separate islands, surrounded by a lake- sized moat. Within this 500-acre estate there's a large zoo, and a golf course. There's also a Dog Collar Museum on the grounds, unlike any other in the world. Since 1976 this landmark has been a favorite tourist stop.

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This iconic symbol of London spans the River Thames and was built from 1886 to 1894 to improve the transportation link between the crowded river docks. Today 40,000 drivers and pedestrians commute over the suspended bridge daily, 140 feet over the river. It's not exactly off the beaten path for tourists, either—over 400,000 visitors tour the Tower Bridge Exhibition in its interior, getting a peek at the original steam engines that powered the drawbridge and an overview of the Victorian Gothic structure's history and neo-Medieval bascule and suspension engineering. Plan ahead by consulting the daily ship crossings to see the drawbridge in action, opening 1,000 times yearly, with an 86° opening. In 1977, part of the bridge's Cornish granite and Portland stone walls and railings were painted in honor of the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebration.

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It's a scene so idyllic as to almost be cliché. And that's okay, because it continues to inspire artists and photographers to capture the essence of this romantic pastime: Punting (defined as the propelling of a square and flat-bottomed boat, by pushing down on a log pole) down the shallow River Cam, alongside the noble campus of Cambridge University. This form of leisure first started in England around 1860, became a tradition at Cambridge in early 1900, and was popular up until the 1960's, when power-boats competed for attention. But thanks to the jet age, many tourists now seek this as an added adventure. In Cambridge town, there are several commercial companies offering experienced guides (usually college students) to punt downriver, with a stop at a favorite local pub, for some sausage and ale. Now, some traditions are just grand!

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With scrub oak and rice grass growing wild among the tombstones, Pioneer Cemetery may be a little rough around the edges, but spectacular views of the town and surrounding mountains make it worth the climb. Added bonus: it’s the final resting place of gambler, gunfighter, and frontier dentist John “Doc” Holliday. Nobody knows exactly where he’s buried, or if he’s buried there at all, but that hasn’t stopped Glenwood’s Frontier Historical Society from erecting a cenotaph in his honor. It’s now a lodestone for history buffs, who leave behind bullets, cigarettes, and plastic pistols to commemorate their idol. Nationally famous as Wyatt Earp’s sidekick at the "Gunfight at the OK Corral," Holliday died of TB in 1887. He was 36.

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