Apia, the lively capital of Samoa, sits on the north coast of Upolu island and blends the island’s rich traditions with a laid-back charm that’s hard to miss. Once a small village, Apia has grown into a central hub where local culture, commerce, and history meet. From bustling markets to quiet waterfronts, Apia offers visitors a chance to experience Samoa’s rhythm at their own pace.
Gjirokaster is Albania's second museum city, where you can see the Fortress with its Armory Museum and the Teque Mosque and Bazaar. A city of stone, the peculiarities of its construction have led many to call it the "The Silver City". Gjirokaster is the birthplace of Enver Hoxja who was, until recently, Albania's infamous dictator.
This is the most Moorish part of Portugal, the rich plain south of the Serra do Caldeirao, scalloped by the beaches and headlands of the Algarve. It is where, in early spring, blossoming almond trees carpet the still-brown hillsides with drifts of snow-like flowers, and the plain white facades of little houses are topped by intricately pierced chimneys that look like ice-cream cones.
Tema, a vibrant city in Ghana's Greater Accra Region, offers a captivating blend of urban energy and coastal charm. As Ghana’s largest port city, Tema is a hub of economic activity, but it also boasts rich cultural and recreational attractions. The city's Harbour is one of the busiest in West Africa, facilitating significant maritime trade. Visitors can explore the port area, which provides insight into Ghana’s commercial and industrial sectors.
Lille, the lively capital of France’s Hauts-de-France region, is a city where Flemish charm meets French sophistication. Once an important industrial hub, Lille has reinvented itself as a cultural and artistic center without losing its historic character.
Photo Credit: Photo by Hendra Pontomudis on Unsplash
The Yarra Valley is Victoria's premier wine growing region, an easy one-hour drive from Melbourne.
The Yarra Ranges & surrounding valley is renowned for its beauty, wineries, national parks, forests & mountains. For the beginner, the Yarra Valley beckons with the best wine education you'll ever find, with about 30 wineries offering cellar door sales. Learning was never this much fun, especially when you can break for lunch at an excellent restaurant or cafe overlooking on the vineyards.
The Yarra Valley is also home to the world-renowned Healesville Sanctuary. This is the sanctuary that visitors from all over the world want to see. For years, it has won Australia's major environmental tourism award, along with national tourism awards for its gift shop. Healesville Sanctuary has also been winning accolades for more than 60 years for the natural bush environment that's home to over 200 species of Australian wildlife. You can meet the keepers, see birds of prey flying free, descend into the underwater world of the platypus and join in the nightlife in the nocturnal house.