When visiting some destinations around the world, you might have noticed a declaration of their “sister cities” or “twin towns” — that is, an agreement with another municipality, usually far across the world, to promote cultural and economic ties. The concept of sister cities arose in the 1950s, and since then more than 500 municipalities in the U.S. alone have formed sister city partnerships with municipalities near and far. While some of these pairings seem like a natural fit, others may leave you scratching your head. Discover the surprising ties behind six unexpected pairs of sister cities around the world.

Alexandria, Egypt & Cleveland, Ohio

Known as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean,” Alexandria has been a sister city of Cleveland since 1977. Since its founding in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great, the city has been a place of immense cultural significance. It was also the home of the famous Library at Alexandria as well as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: Pharos, more commonly known as the Lighthouse of Alexandria.

While the Egyptian city is an icon of the Hellenistic Age, Cleveland — located on the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio — is known primarily for its role in the industrial history of the American Rust Belt. The two sisters have one thing in common, though: Cleveland, too, has a lighthouse — the 63-foot-tall Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse, opened in 1911. However, thanks to the harsh Midwest winters, the Ohio lighthouse has had to endure quite different conditions than anything seen in Alexandria.

Niles, Illinois & Pisa, Italy

Constructed beginning in 1173, the Leaning Tower of Pisa remains one of the most recognizable pieces of architecture in the world. Known as the laboratory for Galileo’s experiments with gravity, the site today brings approximately 1 million tourists every year to the Tuscan city. Pisa has no shortage of other historical wonders, though, including the marble Cattedrale di Pisa on the opposite side of the lawn.

Pisa’s sister city of Niles, Illinois — a suburb north of Chicago — may not have all that medieval history, but it does have its own Leaning Tower. Although the replica, built in 1934, doesn’t bring in quite the number of visitors as the original, it has — like many oddities in rural America — become a roadside attraction. It also made a relationship between the two cities an all-too-obvious choice. They made it official in 1991 with the signing of their sister city partnership.

Cambridge, Massachusetts & Yerevan, Armenia

The intellectual hub of New England and the capital of the former Soviet state of Armenia may, at first glance, appear to have little in common. However, the official sisterhood between the two, formed in 1987, is what ties these two cities together. And they each boast rich historical and cultural significance.

Yerevan is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with archaeological evidence dating back to the eighth century BCE. Today, the Matenadaran holds one of the most impressive collections of manuscripts anywhere on the planet. It holds texts that date back to A.D. 405 and that range from original Armenian works to classic Greek and Arabic manuscripts. Similarly, Cambridge is home to Harvard University, the oldest university in the United States. It’s similarly known as a repository of knowledge and research from around the globe.

Boulder, Colorado & Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Another surprising sister city relationship is the one between the capital of a former Soviet state and a city in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. However, the link between Boulder, Colorado, and Dushanbe, Tajikistan, has given rise to a couple of very tangible symbols of the towns’ friendship over the years.

For example, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse is one of Boulder’s most distinctive sights and a must-see location for afternoon tea. Find it near the popular Pearl Street Mall in downtown Boulder. Many of the teahouse’s components, including the colorful hand-painted tiles and ornately carved, wooden columns, were created in Tajikistan, packaged, and sent to Boulder. Once they reached their new home, they were reassembled by master Tajik craftsmen before the teahouse eventually opened in 1998.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates & Dundee, Scotland

The capital of the United Arab Emirates is known as an oasis of luxury and innovation. It is home to the iconic Burj Khalifa — the tallest building in the world — and is a major global player in business and finance, thanks in large part to its oil revenue.

Dundee, in comparison, is a quaint city on the east coast of Scotland, with plenty of historical and cultural delights for tourists but none of the modern monetary sway for which its sister city is known. Nevertheless, the two have been linked since 2004, and report nothing but benefits from the ongoing exchange of ideas and culture across the continents.

Fort Worth, Texas & Mbabane, Eswatini

Mbabane is the capital and largest city of Eswatini, a southern African country formerly known as Swaziland. This city has been a sister city to Fort Worth, Texas, since 2004. While Eswatini may be thousands of miles away from Texas, these two cities actually share some surprising similarities.

Both cities developed in the latter half of the 19th century, making them relatively young among world metro areas. Fort Worth began as a literal fort along the Chisholm Trail, a route used to drive cattle westward. Meanwhile, Mbabane was built up near the cattle kraal — a traditional enclosure often surrounded by huts — of the then-Swazi king, before becoming an official administrative outpost of the British Empire in 1902. In keeping with their founding, cattle have continued to play an important role in the industries of both sister cities.

The romantic appeal of some destinations is obvious — we’re looking at you Paris, the Amalfi Coast, and Bora Bora — but these places tend to be swarming with lovestruck couples. Instead, grab your partner and explore a new, unexpectedly romantic place this year, one that offers a balance of adventurous activities and intimate experiences to deepen your bond. Here are five of our favorite underrated romantic trip ideas for couples.

Maribor, Slovenia

The relatively small, central European country of Slovenia is often passed up for bigger-name neighboring destinations like Italy, Croatia, and Austria. But it would be a mistake to overlook Slovenia’s stunning landscapes, charming cities, and long-standing wine regions. In fact, Slovenians love wine so much that it’s estimated there is one vineyard for every 70 residents — and very little of the wine is exported. If you and your partner both have an appreciation for fine wine, head straight to Maribor, Slovenia’s second-largest city. 

As Slovenia has yet to be discovered by the masses, vineyard tours and wine tastings here feel more intimate in Maribor than many places in Western Europe. The world’s oldest grape vine still bearing fruit grows in the middle of Maribor, and several walking wine tours are offered throughout the city. To access Slovenia’s largest wine-growing region, Podravje, rent a car and drive into the beautiful countryside to sample unique varietals like rebula. Back in town, the romantic vibes continue with time spent in the charming Old Town cafes, wandering arm-in-arm around the city’s back alleys, and admiring the Gothic and Renaissance architecture at every turn. 

Reykjavik, Iceland

There’s something truly special about witnessing the otherworldly landscapes of Iceland in person — and it can strengthen the bond of anyone experiencing it together. Located roughly 50 miles from the capital of Reykjavik is Thingvellir National Park, where you can stand together between two tectonic plates, snorkel in the clear waters of the Silfra Fissure, gaze upon waterfalls, and explore majestic mountains, glaciers, and craggily valleys. 

When it’s time to unwind from epic adventure days, take a dip in the Blue Lagoon’s healing waters. As evening temperatures drop, couples can find a local bar or restaurant in the quaint capital and warm up with Brennivín, Iceland’s unique national beverage. With so much to do in and around Reykjavik, you might be spending your spare moments planning your next trip to Iceland. 

New Orleans, Louisiana

If both music and food are your love language, then the Big Easy is one of the best cities to experience with your other half. Known for its jazz scene and vibrant nightlife, Bourbon Street is a must-see, but don’t let it define your time in New Orleans. Instead, soak up NOLA’s true character at the best music venues in the city, along Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood. 

For a taste of authentic Creole cuisine, book a table for two at Antoine’s, the oldest restaurant in the city (and the birthplace of several culinary classics). Or for a more casual outing, grab a spot in line at Domilise’s for one of the best po’boys in town. Be sure to dive into New Orleans’ rich history with a visit to world-class museums like the New Orleans Museum of Art and National World War II Museum — or perhaps hold each other in a tight embrace for one of the city’s famous ghost tours. 

Marrakech, Morocco

If your dream of romance is wandering aimlessly around the endless alleyways of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with your partner, then the magic of Marrakech will be evident from your first step inside this ancient walled city. Explore the labyrinth of the medina, which leads to countless shops selling locally made goods, a century-old kasbah, authentic hammams, and famous tanneries. 

Soak up the excitement of the beating heart of Marrakech, the Jemaa El-Fnna, over mint tea and tagine from a restaurant overlooking the historic market, or enjoy time together in a rooftop pool of a lavish riad, a traditional Moroccan villa with a lavish interior courtyard. When you need a break from the buzzing souks, make your way to Le Jardin Secret, a peaceful botanic refuge nearby. When you’re ready to venture out again, check out Jardin Majorelle. Designed by French artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s, it’s famous for its vibrant blue accents, stately fountains, and exotic plants.  

Puerto Rico

This U.S. territory doesn’t require a passport to travel to but still feels a world away from the rest of the continental U.S. Hop on a direct, often inexpensive flight from many cities on the East Coast or Midwest, and you’ll touch down in paradise a few hours later. 

Founded by Spanish colonists in the 16th century, Old San Juan is packed with brightly colored buildings, domes, arches, and balconies typical of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. The city is fringed with historic fortifications, and a visit to either Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, and La Fortaleza provides valuable historic context while offering uninterrupted views of the Caribbean. After discovering San Juan, rent a car and head west for laid-back, romantic beach towns and world-class surfing. Driving east will take you to El Yunque National Forest or Vieques Island’s Mosquito Bay for an unforgettable bioluminescence experience. 

Who doesn’t love chocolate? No matter how you consume it — as a chunky candy bar, baked into cookies, swirled into ice cream — chocolate is one of the world’s most beloved flavors. Many countries have their own unique take on the sweet treat, so for cocoa connaisseurs, there’s a world of chocolate out there waiting to be discovered. Here are eight of the best places to travel if you’re a chocolate lover.

Brussels, Belgium

With some 500 chocolatiers in the Belgian capital, it’s no surprise that Brussels is considered by many to be the “world capital of chocolate.” The city’s love affair with chocolate dates back to the 17th century, when Spain ruled Belgian territory and imported cocoa beans from their colonies in South America. Belgium’s wealthy elite couldn’t get enough of the tasty treat, and hot chocolate shops sprung up all over the city.

The recipe for chocolate largely stayed the same in the centuries that followed. But in the mid-1900s, a Swiss immigrant named Jean Neuhaus had a novel idea. Neuhaus, a pharmacist by trade, came up with the idea to coat his medicines in chocolate. His grandson took the concept and ran with it, coating bite-sized nuts, nougats, and other candies in a thin layer of chocolate. Jean Neuhaus Jr.’s wife Louise designed a box to protect the family’s creations, et voilà — pralines were born. Neuhaus now has shops all over the world, but Bruxellois have their own favorite artisanal chocolatiers. Try Chocolaterie Mary, beloved by the Belgian royal family, for iced chestnuts and choco-coated yuzu peel.

Hershey, Pennsylvania

An entire city in Pennsylvania is named after the company founded by Milton S. Hershey, America’s original chocolate king. The city of Hershey, which was built up around his factory, was incorporated in 1908, and is now home to chocolate-centric gardens, amusement parks, shops, and museums.

When visiting the self-proclaimed “Sweetest Place on Earth,” your first stop should be the Hershey Museum on Chocolate Avenue, where you can read all about the ups and downs of the eccentric, charitable businessman who started it all. Then head over to Hershey’s Chocolate World, where mascots dressed as Hershey’s Kisses and peanut butter cups welcome you into their sugary domain. Make your own chocolate bar and customize the wrapping to your taste, or witness the theatrical, steampunk-style show about the art and science of chocolate tasting.

Located next door is Hersheypark, a sprawling amusement complex with chocolate-themed rides such as the Candymonium and the Cocoa Coaster. If you weren’t already filled to the brim with chocolate, you can indulge in chocolate-infused foods at the Chocolatier, from cocoa-dusted short ribs to pizzas with a chocolatey balsamic glaze.

Birmingham, England

Britain’s bustling “second city” is perhaps best known for two foods: curry and chocolate. Fans of purple foil-wrapped Cadbury confections should make a pilgrimage to Cadbury World, which offers tours not only of the Victorian-era factory, but also of the fascinating village the philanthropic Cadbury family constructed. The Cadbury family found their fortune selling hot cocoa in Birmingham’s pollution-choked city center of the 19th century.

In 1878, the family bought a vast plot of land outside the city to build a “factory in a garden” and create a healthier working environment for their workers. The result was Bournville, a pretty suburb filled with cottages, entertainment venues, and plenty of green space where employees could spend their time off. Explore Bournville before visiting Cadbury World, where the fascinating factory tour tells the complete story of Cadbury’s chocolate, offers you the chance to try your hand at molding, and boasts the world’s biggest Cadbury store. Save room for dessert — you’ll get plenty of free chocolate on your tour.

Zurich, Switzerland

Switzerland is home to some of the world’s best-known chocolate brands. In Zurich, you’ll find the enormous Lindt-Sprüngli factory, which began operations in 1845, when two brothers produced the first solid chocolate in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. It was a roaring success, and other chocolatiers soon capitalized on their idea.

In 1879, a pharmacist named Rodolphe Lindt and his brother came up with another revolutionary idea in the world of chocolate. They created the melt-on-your-tongue Lindt truffle by removing excess liquid from the manufacturing process; this stopped the sugar inside the bars from crystallizing, which often made the product too hard. Lindt and Sprüngli merged in 1899, and in 2020, the company opened its Home of Chocolate, where you can view the production line and marvel at a chocolate fountain almost 30 feet high.

Oaxaca, Mexico

Europe may be home to the world’s chocolate capitals, but Mexico is the place where it all began, with the cultivation of cocoa beans by ancient Mesoamerican societies some 4,000 years ago. While the city of Oaxaca isn’t known for growing the stuff, the flower-filled city has plenty of tasty and traditional ways of eating it. Stroll down Mina Street to take in the aroma of chocolate-grinding shops, where cocoa is finely ground and dusted into a variety of Oaxacan recipes. 

Chocolate’s Nauhautl name, xocolatl, means “bitter water,” so the next thing to tick off your bucket list should be sipping a mug of champurrado from a street cart. The corn-based drink is popular all over Mexico, but in the Oaxacan version, tejate, the corn is toasted and the cacao beans are fermented.

Next, move on to Oaxaca’s preferred main course: anything with mole negro on it. The sauce is an incredibly complex concoction, with usually at least 25 ingredients, but the key addition is bittersweet chocolate. The elegant Casa Oaxaca serves up a succulent slow-cooked turkey doused in the indulgent sauce.

St. Lucia

In addition to sun and sea, St. Lucia’s natural environment also offers cacao pods in abundance. The island’s volcanic soil and tropical climate means its beans are some of the best on the planet, and they have been exported to Europe since the 1700s. Every August is Chocolate Heritage Month, during which the whole island celebrates its connection to the confection with festivals and food stalls. Try the island’s rich cocoa tea, with added vanilla and cinnamon, for a tasty Caribbean pick-me-up.

If you’re keen to learn more about the bean-to-bar process, visit a chocolate estate, where cacao is grown and harvested before being exported. Discover the traditional cocoa-rina dance, a method in which lively human footwork was used to polish the raw beans. Plus, learn how fermentation works, and how beans are dried and roasted to bring out their intoxicating taste. Many of these estates also offer luxurious hotel suites and pampering spas for chocoholics to enjoy. You’ll struggle not to lick the chocolate off your skin during a chocolate facial, and enjoy dishes made with locally cultivated chocolate.

San Francisco, California

Wander along San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, and you’ll soon discover a picturesque clock tower and an illuminated arch welcoming you to Ghirardelli Square, the city’s famous hot fudge sundae hangout. Founded in 1852, Ghirardelli’s is the oldest continuously operating chocolate maker in the U.S., and although it doesn’t actually manufacture chocolate in San Francisco anymore, the city is still one of the best places in the country for chocolate lovers to get their fix.

Chocolate first came to California during the Gold Rush, when French and Italian immigrants, including Dominico Ghirardelli himself, began producing it on a small scale. Another Californian chocolate company founded during this era was the artisanal Guittard, which doesn’t offer factory tours, but does sell some of America’s best couverture chocolate, using original formulas and traditional French methods. 

Turin, Italy

The list of chocolate-loving cities concludes with another European chocolate capital to satisfy your sweet tooth. Café culture has always been a staple of northern Italian life, and over the last 500 years, creative chocolatiers have put this palatial city on the chocolate map. The “Italian chocolate capital” is now home to an annual chocolate festival, Cioccolatò, where hundreds of chocolatiers compete for your attention with their finest products.

Turin’s city center is even home to a chocolate district, where you can buy a cup of bicerin, a decadent fusion of drinking chocolate, espresso, and hot milk. The original (and arguably best) place to try it is Caffe al Bicerin, a gorgeous wood-paneled salon where politicians, artists, and philosophers have mingled over warm chocolate since 1763.

Travelers from all over the world descend on the “City That Never Sleeps” to experience the singular culture of New York City. For first-time visitors, Central Park, Times Square, a Broadway show, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, a visit to MoMA, or an afternoon in Little Italy or Chinatown will likely be on the agenda. But what about those lesser-known spots that even some New Yorkers don’t know about? Discover five “secret” New York City sites that will deepen your understanding of the city’s history and lore. 

City Hall Station

Lower Manhattan’s City Hall Station offers a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era of the Big Apple. Dating to 1904 as a part of New York City’s original subway line, this defunct station was designed in a Romanesque Revival style, featuring tile-clad vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, stained glass, and skylights. The station’s most distinctive feature, though, is its gracefully curving platform — and it’s that whimsical touch that ultimately shut down the station. As ridership increased, cars had to be lengthened, and those longer trains required longer platforms to navigate. Now, City Hall Station serves as a time capsule from a more genteel period of Manhattan’s transportation history.  

Seeing City Hall Station can be tricky: It’s located at the end of the downtown-bound number 6 train, which ends at the Brooklyn Bridge stop just before those stunning vaults come into view. In-the-know passengers can attempt to stay aboard the train as it changes directions to head back uptown. As it does so, stowaways can get a peek of through the legendary station. Otherwise, look for tours led by the New York Transit Museum — which are free but infrequent (be sure to book well in advance).

Renwick Smallpox Hospital

Built in 1856 in the Gothic Revival style, Renwick Smallpox Hospital is a must-see for anyone who gets a kick out of exploring abandoned buildings. The historic New York City landmark — now in ruins — is located on Roosevelt Island. This was a strategic choice: Its isolated location in the middle of the East River made the whole of the island (then known as Blackwell’s Island) a quarantine zone. 

In those days, New York’s population density and constant influx of immigrants made it an epicenter for smallpox. Fortunately, in the late 19th century, a successful vaccine eradicated the disease, and the hospital was closed. Since then, time, weather, and vandals have decimated the building, leaving only its crumbling facade. Today, the ruins are viewable but fenced off and home to a feral cat colony, but a public park is planned for the area.

Aside from the hospital, the rest of Roosevelt Island is an off-the-beaten-path destination worth exploring. Accessible via the bright red Roosevelt Island Tram, which offers sweeping views of the city, the island is also home to the Blackwell Island Lighthouse, dating to 1872, and the Octagon, an imposing eight-sided structure that once served as an asylum entrance. Also on the island is the Blackwell House, one of the oldest structures in New York City, along with FDR Four Freedoms Park — a tribute to former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Designed in the 1970s by world-famous architect Louis Kahn, it was only recently completed in 2012.

City Reliquary

What started as a resident’s quirky window display of found objects is now a museum displaying an impressive array of New York’s everyday relics and ephemera. From the outside, Dave Herman’s City Reliquary looks like a classic New York City bodega or deli — complete with a vintage, multicolored awning. 

But instead of snacks and lottery tickets, the tiny space is packed with a rotating assemblage of subway tokens and turnstiles, postcards and handbills, cornerstones and cobblestones, antique bottles and baseball cards — even a fortune-teller’s booth and a burned-out lightbulb from the Statue of Liberty’s torch. With a scope that is both broad and entertaining, there is truly something for everyone: sports buffs, amateur historians, and burlesque fans alike.

The collection — which includes artifacts donated by museum visitors — is located across the East River from Manhattan, in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. It chronicles a sort of cultural history of New York through everyday and often disposable items. In addition to the exhibits, the Reliquary hosts events throughout the year ranging from crafting nights and tag sales to podcast tapings, music tributes, and film screenings. The shop is also worth a visit for one-of-a-kind New York souvenirs, from classic tchotchkes to artist-made items. 

Snug Harbor Cultural Center

A scenic (and free) ride on the iconic Staten Island Ferry might already be on your itinerary — so you might as well add a wholly unique cultural stop while you’re at it. A visit to Staten Island’s Snug Harbor features fascinating exhibitions on local history and contemporary art, a concert hall, a children’s museum, and manicured gardens — including the Chinese Scholar’s Garden, a recreation of Ming Dynasty-era Chinese gardens built by 40 Chinese artisans and shipped to Staten Island.

Snug Harbor stems from Robert Richard Randall, an heir to a shipping fortune who passed away in 1801. His will dictated that the family’s assets be used to build a sort of retirement community for “aged, decrepit, and worn-out sailors.” Over the next century, some 50 architecturally significant structures were built across 83 acres to house and enrich the lives of retired sailors from all over the world. The campus was essentially self-sustaining, with farms and a dairy, a power plant, a chapel and cemetery, a power plant, a hospital, dormitories, and green spaces. 

In the 20th century, as both the endowment and number of residents dwindled, the complex began to fall into disrepair. But in the 1960s, the newly formed New York City Landmarks Commission saved several remaining buildings as the city’s first landmark structures. And by the 1970s, the city purchased the property as a cultural destination and ultimately merged it with the Staten Island Botanical Gardens.

Panorama of the City of New York

Now that you’ve traveled from Manhattan and Roosevelt Island to Brooklyn and Staten Island, it’s time to visit Queens. The Panorama of the City of New York, a permanent exhibit at the Queens Museum, is a 9,335-square-foot model of the entire city’s five sprawling boroughs. It’s built to a scale of 1:1,200 — one inch equals 100 feet, making the Empire State Building about 15 inches tall. 

Urban planner Robert Moses conceived of the project to celebrate the city’s infrastructure for the 1964 world’s fair. Led by Raymond Lester and Associates, the model was constructed by around 100 artisans over the course of three years. In the 1990s, the Panorama was overhauled to more accurately depict the city’s approximately 895,000 individual structures, streets, and parks — making it somewhat of a time capsule.

The museum is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. On one end, the park features Citi Field — home of the New York Mets — and on the other you’ll find several experimental structures and buildings erected for the 1964 and 1939 world’s fairs. These include the Unisphere, a 12-story spherical stainless steel representation of the Earth and the UFO-shaped New York State Pavilion and lookout towers. The park also hosts the annual U.S. Open tennis tournament, and includes the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Zoo, a huge public marina, and the Fountain of the Planet of the Apes.