Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is one of Africa’s most vibrant and unpredictable cities. Sprawling along the banks of the Congo River, it’s the third-largest city on the continent and pulses with music, art, and personality at every turn. Across the river lies Brazzaville, making Kinshasa part of the only pair of national capitals facing each other across a single waterway.
Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is a city where centuries of history meet modern energy. Located on the island of Java, it has long been a hub for trade and culture, drawing influences from across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Coursing through 10 countries, the Danube is the second-longest river in Europe. This waterway, lined with fortresses and castles, rises in Germany's Black Forest and runs for 1,770 miles to the Black Sea. The Danube is an essential commercial thoroughfare for central and southeastern Europe, and several river cruise companies sail vessels on it year-round. Destinations along this river include Vienna, Budapest, Passau and Bratislava.
Cachi is a small mountain town in Argentina’s Salta Province, set in the northern Calchaquí Valleys at more than 2,000 meters above sea level. Its historic center has cobbled streets, raised sidewalks, adobe buildings, and a central square surrounded by traditional architecture. The town sits beneath the peaks of the Nevado de Cachi and among stands of tall cardon cacti, creating a distinctive highland landscape.
Leiden or Leyden, city in the western Netherlands, in Zuid-Holland (South Holland) Province, on the Old Rhine River, near The Hague. Leiden is also the site of the State University of Leiden, one of the oldest and most distinguished universities in Europe. It was the birthplace of several important Dutch painters, including Rembrandt, Jan van Goyen, and Jan Steen. During the 17th century the English settlers who became known as the Pilgrims took refuge in Leiden before leaving for North America.
Other Popular Destinations in Netherlands
Amsterdam
Amsterdam, the 17th century capital of Holland, is often called the "Venice of the North" due to its numerous, boat-navigable canals. Truly rich in history, the oldest part of this populous, multicultural city is Sloten, which dates all the way back to the 9th century.
Kinderdijk
Replete with windmills and old-world charm, the village of Kinderdijk lies east of Rotterdam on the Lek River and is a popular stop for European river cruises. Home to the largest concentration of old windmills in the Netherlands, Kinderdijk was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.