In the southern deserts of Peru, Nazca invites visitors to look beyond the horizon. This small city is world-famous for the mysterious Nazca Lines, enormous geoglyphs etched into the desert floor more than 1,500 years ago. From the air, shapes like hummingbirds, monkeys, and even a stylized astronaut come into view, some stretching over 300 meters. Their exact purpose remains a mystery, fueling decades of theories.
Half of the land on Sanibel island is designated as natural areas with two preserves protecting the island ecology and wildlife, while the other half offers resort and glistening beaches.
Blanketed from end to end in luxuriant greenery and brightly colored flowers, this enchanted island is scalloped with beautiful beaches. There are sandy coves beside coral reefs, and alabaster cresents below tiny trails, leading to pretty waterfalls or plantation ruins. Best of all is the Main Ridge Rain Forest Trail, where jungle-thick ferns and giant bamboo grasses flourish under a canopy of foliage 60-feet high.
Khiva, located in western Uzbekistan’s Khorezm region, is one of Central Asia’s most evocative Silk Road cities. Its walled inner city, known as the Itchan Kala, has preserved a remarkable collection of mud-brick architecture, minarets, mosques, and madrasahs that reflect centuries of Islamic culture and trade. Khiva served as a thriving trading hub and political center, linking merchants and scholars across the desert routes of the region.
Photo Credit: Photo by Charlie Mitchell on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Tomas Sobek on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Andres Iga on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by JinHui CHEN on Unsplash
This beautiful resort town has a little something for everyone! Whether you are into skiing and snowboarding, jet boating, whitewater rafting, bungy jumping, or mountain biking there is no end to the year around adventure sports you can take advantage of. If you love wine, Queenstown lies close to the center of a small wine producing region, including The Two Paddocks vineyard which is owned by actor Sam Neill. If you're a movie buff, Queenstown and the surrounding area were used in the filming of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
Other Popular Destinations in New Zealand
Auckland
A veritable paradise on Earth, Auckland combines the best of both worlds – a thrilling urban metropolis surrounded by striking natural areas, sparkling blue water, and colorful wildlife. New Zealand’s cultural and recreational hub, beautiful Auckland has something for everyone.
Rotorua
Natural wonders await you in the steaming, geothermally active North Island city of Rotorua, New Zealand. Pohutu Geyser erupts several times per day, and blistering mud pools provide a truly unique sightseeing experience. When in Rotorua, tourists also visit its living Maori village, as well as Te Puia (New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts institute), where weaving and woodcarving is featured.