Šiauliai, often referred to as the "City of the Sun" due to its high number of sunny days, is a vibrant gem in northern Lithuania. The city's most iconic landmark is the Hill of Crosses, a profound site of pilgrimage adorned with thousands of crosses placed by visitors over the decades. This unique and moving monument, which has been recognized by UNESCO for its cultural significance, symbolizes the resilience and spirit of the Lithuanian people.
Agafay, often called Morocco’s "stone desert," is located just 40 kilometers southwest of Marrakech, but the landscape feels like a different world. Unlike the golden dunes of the Sahara, Agafay stretches out in rolling hills of sand-colored rock and hard-packed earth. It offers the vastness of a desert experience without requiring a long journey from the city.
Fakarava, a hidden paradise in French Polynesia, is an ideal destination for those seeking unspoiled natural beauty and adventure. This atoll, part of the Tuamotu Archipelago, is known for its pristine coral reefs and crystal-clear lagoons.
Anguilla is a level coral atoll with abundant breath-taking beaches. The name comes from the Spanish word for eel, named apparently because of the island's long, narrow profile. The main town, The Valley, is found almost in the middle of the island. Most hotels and restaurants are found on the western point of the island.
The United Arab Emirates rolls history and invention into a seamless experience. In Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque stands out with its reflective pools, marble columns inlaid with floral patterns, and the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet beneath domes that glow by night. On Saadiyat Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi shelters art that spans civilizations, all beneath a dome designed to scatter sunlight like palm fronds.
Do you want a vacation experience so unique and thrilling that you actually have to wear a hard hat? Look no further than New Zealand's White Island, where you can stand on an active volcano! Located offshore from Whakatane and Tauranga, White Island is New Zealand's only live marine volcano and one of the most active in the world. The tours are quite the experience, especially since you can hear the hissing and bubbling of the volcano all around you!