Palm Desert is a city in California’s Coachella Valley, set between the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains and the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Its landscape is characterized by desert plains, palm trees, rugged mountain slopes, and irrigated areas created around residential neighborhoods and golf courses. El Paseo forms the city’s best-known commercial district, with shops, galleries, restaurants, and public art along a landscaped boulevard.
Amantani is an island in Lake Titicaca, Peru, known for its high-altitude landscapes, agricultural terraces, and Quechua-speaking communities. Located in the lake’s Peruvian waters, the island is home to small settlements spread across hillsides that rise above the water. Unlike larger lakeside destinations, Amantani has few paved roads and no major commercial center, so daily life remains closely connected to farming, weaving, and community activities.
As you cruise along the Orinoco, South America's second-longest river, you will pass an imposing 17th-century fort. Just up the river is Ciudad Guayana, your gateway to Angel Falls. The falls, discovered 60 years ago by American bush pilot Jimmy Angel, are the hightest in the world. More than a half-mile hight and 15 times taller than Niagara Falls, they are undoubtedly one of the world's most breathtaking natural wonders.
Nestled in the Julian Alps of Slovenia, Kranjska Gora is a charming alpine town known for its stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. This picturesque destination offers a gateway to breathtaking natural beauty, from the snow-capped peaks of the Julian Alps to the lush, green valleys that surround the town.
Photo Credit: Photo by Sterling Lanier on Unsplash
A relatively recent addition to Costa Rica's list of national parks is Tenorio Volcano National Park, home to its namesake Tenorio Volcano as well as its taller sister, Miravalles Volcano, also the highest mountain in the Guanacaste Mountains.
The unique combination of this rugged volcanic landscape, combined with the surrounding tropic forests set the stage for a variety of hot springs, geysers, bubbling mud pools, and the one-of-a-kind Rio Celeste, famous for its sky blue color. It's also an ideal habitat for endangered felines, such as ocelots and the jaguars, and a diverse bird population.
Other Popular Destinations in Costa Rica
Monteverde
Monteverde, located in the Tilarán Mountains of northwestern Costa Rica, is known for its cloud forests, winding trails, and biodiversity that has drawn researchers and travelers for decades. The area was settled in the 1950s by Quakers from the United States who were looking for a peaceful place to raise dairy cattle. They also played a major role in preserving the local ecosystem, helping to establish the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in 1972.
La Fortuna
La Fortuna is a town in northern Costa Rica, located in the San Carlos region at the base of Arenal Volcano. It is known for rainforest landscapes, geothermal hot springs, and outdoor activities connected to the surrounding mountains and rivers.