Baddeck, Cape Breton Island
Baddeck sits along the calm waters of the Bras d’Or Lake on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, a village with deep roots and stories to tell. Its name comes from an Indigenous word thought to mean “place with an island near,” a nod to nearby Kidston Island and the long history of the Mi’kmaq people in the area. A highlight for many visitors is the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, where the legacy of one of history’s most inventive minds comes alive.
St. Petersburg
A family vacation favorite with glorious weather year-round. There are 102 city parks on 2400 acres, five beaches, eight public swimming pools, 2 municipal golf courses, plenty of tennis courts, fine shops, museums and restaurants to explore and enjoy in St. Petersburg.
Phuket
Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, has long served as a cultural and trade crossroads in the Andaman Sea. Centuries ago, it was a stopover for merchants trading tin, spices, and textiles, with influences from Chinese, Portuguese, Indian, and Malay travelers still reflected in the island’s architecture and cuisine. Inland, the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary protects rainforest habitat home to gibbons, civets, and exotic birds.
Periyar
Periyar is a forested highland destination in Kerala’s Idukki district, centered on the Periyar Tiger Reserve and the town of Thekkady. Set within the Western Ghats, the region combines wooded hills, evergreen forests, grasslands, streams, and the large Periyar Lake. The tiger reserve covers about 925 square kilometres and supports an extensive range of wildlife. Its landscape is particularly associated with Asian elephants, Bengal tigers, gaur, sambar deer, wild dogs, and rich birdlife.
Lone Pine
The Alabama Hills are one of Lone Pine’s most recognizable attractions, with rounded orange and brown rock formations set against the steep Sierra Nevada. Numerous roads and trails provide access to arches, boulders, and viewpoints across the area. Mount Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous United States, rises west of town, while the Inyo National Forest and surrounding wilderness areas provide opportunities for hiking, climbing, fishing, and wildlife observation.
