Dammam, the capital of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, stands as a vibrant coastal city overlooking the tranquil waters of the Arabian Gulf. Once a modest fishing village, it has transformed into a major commercial and industrial hub, central to the Kingdom’s oil industry and maritime trade.
Crazy Horse Memorial stands in the Black Hills of South Dakota, between Custer and Hill City, where a massive mountain carving is being created to honor the Lakota leader Crazy Horse and the cultures of Native American peoples. The sculpture is cut directly into Thunderhead Mountain and is designed to depict Crazy Horse on horseback, pointing toward his ancestral lands
Jekyll Island, one of Georgia’s Golden Isles, is a barrier island with a story that stretches from ancient Indigenous cultures to Gilded Age millionaires. Today, it’s a state park carefully preserved for public enjoyment, offering a quiet blend of coastal landscapes, historic landmarks, and outdoor activities. With only a limited number of commercial developments allowed, the island maintains a peaceful, uncrowded atmosphere that’s hard to find on most Southeastern beaches.
Pendleton, Oregon, sits in the heart of the high desert region, where wide open skies meet rolling wheat fields and the rugged Blue Mountains. The city is widely recognized for its rich history in ranching, railroads, and wool production, which visitors can explore through preserved buildings and museums. Downtown Pendleton features brick storefronts, murals, and sculptures that reflect the city’s connection to both the frontier and the railroad era.
Istanbul is a city built on layers of empire. Spanning two continents, it was once the capital of three major empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Visitors walking through the Sultanahmet district can witness this timeline firsthand, from the Roman-era Hippodrome to the Byzantine mosaics of Hagia Sophia, and the towering minarets of the Blue Mosque. At nearby Topkapi Palace, rooms still display the jeweled swords, ceremonial robes, and handwritten Qurans once used by Ottoman sultans.
Soft morning colors reflect across the peaceful wetlands of Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park.
Lotus lilies and lush grasses cover the seasonal wetlands of Yellow Water Billabong.
Photo Credit: Bonez71
A colorful sunset is reflected in the still waters of Yellow Water Billabong.
Photo Credit: Reesa sc
A crocodile moves quietly through the open waters of Yellow Water Billabong.
Photo Credit: Reesa sc
Discover Yellow Water Billabong, known traditionally as Ngurrungurrudjba, a celebrated wetland near Cooinda in Kakadu National Park. Connected to Jim Jim Creek and the South Alligator River floodplain, its scenery transforms with Kakadu’s seasons, expanding across the surrounding plains after summer rains and concentrating wildlife around its waterways during the dry months. Cruises and seasonal walking areas offer views of waterlilies, paperbarks and pandanus, along with saltwater crocodiles and abundant birdlife such as magpie geese, egrets and sea eagles. At sunrise and sunset, glowing skies and reflections reveal one of Kakadu’s most memorable natural and cultural landscapes.
Other Popular Destinations in Australia
Sydney
Sydney, Australia, is a vibrant city where iconic landmarks, diverse neighborhoods, and natural beauty converge. The Sydney Opera House, with its striking sail-like design, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are symbols recognized around the world, yet the city offers much more beyond its famous skyline.
Cairns
Cairns is the majestic entrance to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. This warm, tropical destination is located in Far North Queensland. Must-see attractions in Cairns include the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, which educates tourists about indigenous peoples, and restaurant and bar-dotted Cairns Esplanade, which has a lagoon for swimming.