The Czech Republic is a country where centuries-old castles, storybook towns, and deeply rooted traditions coexist with vibrant art scenes and local beer halls. Prague draws the most attention, with its Gothic towers, Baroque churches, and the world’s oldest working astronomical clock, still ticking in the Old Town Square.
Three hours north of Auckland, a chain of verdant islands meet glittering turquoise waters in the Bay of Islands. This subtropical paradise will astound you with its abundance of natural beauty and marine life. Sail to the Bay of Islands, and you'll find plenty to see and explore. Hike to stunning Rainbow Falls, kayak along the shores of New Zealand's lush coastline, and keep an eye out for whales, dolphins, penguins, and a variety of colorful parrots.
Tomar sits on the Nabão River in central Portugal as a place where medieval history and everyday life meet in welcoming streets and grand monuments. Just outside the convent walls lies the Pegões Aqueduct, an impressive feat of engineering more than 6 kilometers long that once carried water from distant springs to the hilltop site. Some sections of its arches rise more than 30 meters above the valley floor, making it a striking backdrop for photos.
Santander, the capital of Spain’s Cantabria region, sits along the Bay of Biscay and offers travelers a mix of coastline, culture, and history shaped by centuries of maritime life. Once a bustling port for Castilian exports, Santander saw its golden age in the 19th century when Spanish royalty turned it into a summer retreat. The legacy of that era remains visible at the Palacio de la Magdalena, perched on a peninsula with views of the sea and home to royal stables, a mini zoo, and guided tours.