Taupō, located in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, is built along the shores of Lake Taupō, which is the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, formed nearly two thousand years ago by a massive volcanic eruption. That eruption was so powerful, it was recorded in ancient Chinese and Roman texts, even though it occurred halfway across the world. Today, the lake is calm, clear, and central to life in the region, offering everything from trout fishing to kayaking and lakeside cycling.
The skyline of Erfurt is shaped by dozens of churches, monasteries, and convents thrusting their pointed steeples upward to the sky. In the Middle Ages, Erfurt was known as "Thuringian Rome" because of its religious orders. The impressive twin churches on the Domberg (Cathedral Hill), the Roman Catholic St. Mary's Cathedral (14th century) and the Roman Catholic Parish church St. Severus with a flight of 70 outdoor steps leading from the Cathedral Square up the hill to the churches.
Gumbane is a rural community in southern Mozambique, in Inhambane Province, where sandy soils, woodland and cultivated plots shape much of the surrounding landscape.
Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve is a vast protected area in southwestern Bolivia, close to the borders with Chile and Argentina. It covers a high-altitude landscape of volcanic mountains, deserts, salt flats, geothermal fields, and mineral-rich lagoons. The reserve forms part of the southern Altiplano and is one of Bolivia’s most distinctive protected areas.
Photo Credit: Photo by Walker Mangum from Wikimedia
Loblolly Beach
Photo Credit: Photo by Kathleen Tyler Conklin from Wikimedia
The only coral island in the archipelago, Anegada is one of the British Virgin Islands and best known for its secluded beaches, extensive salt ponds, and nearly flat elevation which gave rise to the name Tierra Anegada, Spanish for "flooded land."
Although sparsely populated, Anegada's economy is based primarily on tourism, and secondly on commercial fishing. Visitors will find a number of rare or endangered species here: the Anegada rock iguana, Caribbean lobster, the loblolly tree, frangipani, feathery sea lavender and wild orchids.
Offshore, the 18-mile Horseshoe Reef is one of the world's largest coral reefs, making navigation difficult and causing numerous shipwrecks over the years.
Other Popular Destinations in Virgin Islands
St. Thomas
St. Thomas, the gateway to the U.S. Virgin Islands, is a vibrant mix of history, culture, and Caribbean charm. Its capital, Charlotte Amalie, features a waterfront lined with pastel-colored colonial buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, and historic forts such as Fort Christian, which offer glimpses into the island’s Danish colonial past.
Tortola Island
Tortola, the largest island in the British Virgin Islands, beckons travelers with its idyllic beaches and vibrant culture. Known for its stunning natural beauty, Tortola offers crystal-clear waters, lush landscapes, and a range of outdoor activities. Cane Garden Bay, one of the island’s most famous beaches, is renowned for its powdery white sand and turquoise waters.