British influences are quite evident in Victoria, from afternoon tea times to elegant Victorian architecture. This capital of British Columbia on Vancouver Island provides ample outdoor recreation, with its public parks and access to both the ocean and wilderness. Cyclists will be right at home here, as Victoria boasts a seemingly endless number of bike paths for exploring.
Peso da Régua, often called the gateway to Portugal's Douro Valley, sits along the banks of the Douro River and is surrounded by steep, terraced vineyards. The town has long been central to the production of the world-famous Port wine, and visitors can explore the rolling hills covered with neatly arranged grapevines that climb dramatically from the river’s edge. The town itself offers a quiet riverside charm, with narrow streets, historic buildings, and scenic viewpoints.
Longyearbyen, the northernmost settlement of its size in the world, offers a unique and captivating experience in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, Norway. Nestled between icy peaks and sprawling glaciers, this remote town is a gateway to exploring the rugged beauty of the Arctic landscape.
Lahnstein is located at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Lahn. Situated between the tranquil Lahn Valley and the bustling energy of the Rhine, Lahnstein has developed a unique character and offers a wide variety of activities for visitors.
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.
Ogunquit is a beautiful place by the sea. Offering quaint New England flavor of the Village Center, Ogunquit is a bustling holiday haven to visitors from all over the world. Ogunquit today remains a tranquil, small village that continues to offer almost everything to almost everyone as perhaps nowhere else in the country can.
Its countless variety of fine shops, excellent restaurants and lodgings, art galleries and museums, the Playhouse and summer repertory theatres, nearby golf courses and country clubs, fishing, lobstering and sight-seeing cruises, and spectacular views all year round would be difficult to encounter anywhere else. For the past 100 years, this charming seaside village has evolved from a small fishing hamlet with dirt roads and shacks, to a major vacation resort without losing its charm or magnetism. This little "gem" on the rocky coast of Maine should not be missed.