Catania, nestled on the eastern coast of Sicily, is a city shaped by fire and stone. Built from the black lava of Mount Etna, it’s a landscape filled with energy and contrasts from its Baroque palaces to its open air fish markets. At the heart of the city stands the Piazza del Duomo, where the iconic Fontana dell’Elefante, which is carved from volcanic rock, greets every visitor who passes by.
Founded in 1721 by mainland Chinese, it is the third largest city in Taiwan. Occupied by Japanese from 1895-1945, it totally leveled and rebuilt. With many museums, gardens and universities, it is considered the cultural center of Taiwan.
Kootenay National Park occupies 1,406 square kilometres of the Canadian Rockies in southeastern British Columbia, extending from the Continental Divide toward the Columbia Valley. The park is known for its contrasts, with glaciers and alpine terrain giving way to dry grasslands, narrow canyons, and forested valleys. Highway 93 South crosses the park, providing access to many of its landscapes and viewpoints.
Iceland, a land of extraordinary contrasts and natural wonders, offers an experience unlike any other. Its dramatic landscapes are defined by active volcanoes, geysers, and sprawling glaciers, all set against a backdrop of ethereal Northern Lights. A must-see is the Golden Circle, a popular route encompassing the Thingvellir National Park, the geothermal area of Geysir, and the majestic Gullfoss waterfall.
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.
Other Popular Destinations in Australia
Sydney
Sydney, Australia, is a vibrant city where iconic landmarks, diverse neighborhoods, and natural beauty converge. The Sydney Opera House, with its striking sail-like design, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are symbols recognized around the world, yet the city offers much more beyond its famous skyline.
Cairns
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.