Most know Petra, Jordan, as one of the wonders of the world. But beyond the ruins of the Rose City, there’s a thriving community of locals in the modern-day city of Petra, eagerly welcoming visitors with open arms.

I ended up in Amsterdam, Netherlands, for two days in late April — the prime to be there. But what makes Amsterdam the ultimate spring-season destination?

I spent a day exploring the enchanting city of Old Town Dubrovnik in Croatia. Here’s how it went.

I visited Athens, Greece, the birthplace of Western civilization, and was awed by the blend of ancient and modern cityscapes.

I journeyed to the Treasury in Petra, a wonder of the world in Jordan and learned the story behind the incredible architecture.

I spent a day at the prettiest beach in Kenya and checked out local restaurants highly rated on TripAdvisor to see if they live up to their reputations.

I spent my final day in India traveling to the Elephanta Caves off the coast of Mumbai, and reflecting on my time in India.

I spent a day at the oldest yoga institute in the world in Mumbai, India.

Exploring and learning about the history behind the Taj Mahal, a wonder of the world in Agra, India.

I dived into Mumbai’s vibrant media culture with my International Mass Communications class while studying abroad with Semester at Sea.

Spend one packed day in Dubai, UAE with me.