Leiden or Leyden, city in the western Netherlands, in Zuid-Holland (South Holland) Province, on the Old Rhine River, near The Hague. Leiden is also the site of the State University of Leiden, one of the oldest and most distinguished universities in Europe. It was the birthplace of several important Dutch painters, including Rembrandt, Jan van Goyen, and Jan Steen. During the 17th century the English settlers who became known as the Pilgrims took refuge in Leiden before leaving for North America.

Dili is the capital and largest city of Timor-Leste, set along the country's northern coast between the sea and rugged mountain slopes. The city stretches around a broad bay, with beaches, government buildings, markets, residential neighborhoods, and busy streets forming its urban landscape. Mountains rise immediately south of the city, while the Ombai Strait extends north toward Atauro Island.

Dampier Peninsula is situated along the north east coast of western Australia within the famous Kimberley. Around half of the Peninsula is covered by Aboriginal land, and so you should check with the Tourist Information Centre in Broome about the areas where you may not be permitted. However, there are several places where you can stay.

Khao Yai National Park is one of the most interesting and oldest park in Thailand. It is northeast of the central plain of Thailand, on the rim of the Korat Plateau. There are many species of plants and animals. Large animals such as wild elephants and tigers prowl the jungles freely. More than 800 species of orchids grow there and over 200 species of day moths have been catalogued.

Who would have thought, back in the tumultuous coup and counter coup days of the 1970s, that Burkina Faso would become the cultural darling of West Africa? Unlikely as it seems, Burkina Faso has become the Utah of West Africa, hosting a biennial film festival that rivals the Sundance Film Festival for cultural clout. When it's not hosting film festivals, it's busy organizing its other biennial cultural festival.