Marbella, Andalusia, Spain

Successful cities replicate rural settings. Fix your sight on the boys and let your imagination transform the rest of the scene into a country pond, complete with bullfrogs. [2015]

Belize City, Belize

Soon these boats will be at sea,
Where knowledge of geography,
Will be the key,
To feeling safe; in fact, carefree.
For if you need return to shore,
If you seek a place to moor,
On the wind you must depend,
And to that end,
You must know,
Wherefrom the winds do blow.
Direction east? Direction west?
It's really not much of a test.
For if you be in tropic sea,
Then, the Trades these must be,
Consistent, steady, pushing west,
Captain, you have passed the test,
For to the shore we have returned,
Our only problem: too sunburned!
[2015]

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Travellers Bridge was built as a railroad crossing. Now, through public art, it honors arrivals to the island continent who weathered an ocean crossing. But, as far as these two are concerned, it represents a different crossing: from boy to man. Soon, they'll never think of climbing up there where they shouldn't be. [2011]

Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Pusser's, despite the unappetizing name, is probably the most well-known restaurant and pub in the Virgin Islands. But, if you can't travel to the tropics, try the Annapolis Pusser's on the Chesapeake. What do the two locations have in common? Nearby yacht harbors. [2014]

Izmir, Turkey

Successful cities find some way of incorporating water into the landscape. Coastal cities like Izmir are lucky: they have a harbor. Around the harbor, Izmir has built a corniche and opened up the waterfront. It puts everybody in a good mood, so you can be sure he's not having an argument on that mobile. [2014]

Horley, England, UK

We approach the last few weeks of 2015 with our third and final Friday the 13th. It will be over a decade, 2026 to be exact, when we will again have a year with three Fridays falling on the 13th day of the month. Hope you don't suffer from friggatriskaidekaphobia. Hope you don't suffer from ailurophobia either. [2015]

Richmond, Virginia, USA

CSX Transportation is in the business of transporting coal from the Central Appalachian mines to the coal piers in Newport News. The company used to be headquartered in Richmond, but moved to Jacksonville, Florida, far removed from the world of coal but closer to the world of orange juice. Ever hear of the juice train? [2015]