The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community in north-west Spain bordered by Cantabria to the east, Castile and León to the south, Galicia to the west, and by the Bay of Biscay to the north. Though largely unknown to tourists, Asturias is a stunningly beautiful region of Spain withRead More →
Stretching from Italy, through France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria, and into Slovenia, the Alps are a stunning mountain range formed by the uplift of the European Plate as it is impacted by the African Plate. Spectacular peaks, valleys, and glacier-fed lakes abound. The Alps host some of the bestRead More →
Yap’s Outer Islands boast an amazing culture steeped in the tradition of celestial navigation. The people of the Outer Islands live off the land and sea and for many, the sole mode of transport is canoe. Traditional clothing, chores, and customs continue to hold sway. Most of the Outer IslandsRead More →
The extreme south of Patagonian Chile is home to Torres del Paine National Park, known for its dramatic jagged mountains, bright blue icebergs, and grasslands called golden pampas that support rare wildlife like the llama-like guanacos. Torres del Paine’s other attractions include the Cuernos del Paine, Grey Glacier, Lago Grey,Read More →
Off the coast of East Africa sits the Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. Once disputed between France and Great Britain, the islands eventually fell under British control. Independence was gained in 1976. The island of Mahé serves as a hub for visiting the other islandsRead More →
North of Sicily sits the Island of Salina, the second largest of the Aeolian Islands. Salina is shaped by two extinct volcanoes, Monte dei Porri and Monte Fossa delle Felci. Due to its natural freshwater springs, Salina boasts a lush, green landscape in stark contrast to the barren volcanic terrainRead More →
Off the northern coast of Mozambique sits the Quirimbas Archipelago best known for its stunning coral reefs and waters teeming with dolphins, whales, and endangered dugongs (sea cows). The remote islands of Matemo, Medjumbe, and Vamiz each boast beautiful beaches and idyllic waters for scuba diving and snorkeling. Mangrove-covered IboRead More →
Located in Costa Rica’s southwestern province of Puntarenas, the Osa Peninsula is home to at least half of all species living in Costa Rica and is a favorite spot for nature-lovers Puerto Jimenez is the peninsula’s main town with an airport that serves the area and provides easy access toRead More →
Austria’s capital city of Vienna was once the imperial capital of the powerful Austro-Hungarian Empire until the dissolution of the empire following defeat in World War I. Remnants of Vienna’s legacy as an imperial capital, including the Habsburgs’ summer residence Schönbrunnare, are scattered throughout the city. Vienna’s artistic and intellectualRead More →
Located in the Schwyzer Alps of Central Switzerland, Mount Rigi or simply The Rigi is almost entirely surrounded by three different lakes – Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug, and Lake Lauerz. Also known as Queen of the Mountains, Mount Rigi’s majestic peninsula on Lake Lucerne is an idyllic setting for theRead More →
