Bentota is a coastal town in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province, positioned where the Bentara River meets the Indian Ocean. Its landscape is shaped by a broad sandy beach, the river’s waterways, and tropical vegetation, creating a setting where inland and coastal environments meet. Bentota is particularly associated with water-based recreation, including swimming, river excursions, fishing, windsurfing, waterskiing, snorkeling, and diving. The town is also known for Ayurveda, with wellness treatments
Flinders Island is the largest island in the Furneaux Group, located in Bass Strait between mainland Australia and Tasmania. Covering a landscape of rugged mountains, rolling farmland, white-sand beaches, and granite headlands, it is known for its remote character and rich natural environment.
Jbel Toubkal is the highest mountain in Morocco and the highest peak in North Africa, rising to 4,167 meters in the High Atlas Mountains. It stands within Toubkal National Park, south of Marrakech, above valleys and Amazigh villages including Imlil. The mountain is surrounded by steep ridges, rocky slopes, high-altitude valleys, and seasonal snow.
Kimmirut is a small Inuit community on the southern coast of Baffin Island in Nunavut, located beside the waters of Hudson Strait. Formerly known as Lake Harbour, the settlement sits among rocky hills, freshwater lakes, coastal inlets, and tundra. Its sheltered location gives it a close relationship with the surrounding sea, while the wider landscape contains exposed rock and low Arctic vegetation shaped by a cold, windy climate.
The Mara River in Tanzania is a natural wonder that draws adventurers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Flowing through the heart of the Serengeti and into Kenya’s Maasai Mara, this river is best known as the lifeblood of the Great Migration. Each year, from July to October, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles make a perilous crossing of the Mara. It’s a spectacle of nature that leaves visitors in awe, making it one of Africa’s most sought-after safari experiences.
Photo Credit: Photo by Andrew Turner from Wikimedia
Photo Credit: Photo by Andrew Turner from Wikimedia
Named after the Italian city of Genoa, Genovesa Island is a dormant volcano in the Galápagos Islands. Its nickname, Bird Island, stems from the large and diverse bird population including storm petrels, red-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and more.
Its unique horseshoe shape is the result of the eruption of a shield volcano followed by the collapse of one side of the caldera wall. This formed Darwin Bay and its surrounding cliffs, home to many of the afore-mentioned birds. Lake Arcturus, a salt-water crater lake, lies at the center of the island.
Adventurous visitors can also climb up Prince Philip's Steps, also known as El Barranco. This steep, rocky path leads to a marvelous viewpoint at the top of 82-foot cliffs but its initial incline can be daunting.
Other Popular Destinations in Ecuador
Quito
Situated on the equator and nestled beneath an imposing volcano, the rugged, sprawling, and vibrant city of Quito offers adventure galore. A South American gem and Ecuador’s capital, Quito combines the best of its Incan and Spanish influences in fascinating cultural attractions, and the city’s surrounding natural beauty will surely astound you.
Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island is the beating heart of the Galápagos and is home to the largest town in the archipelago, Puerto Ayora, and a key access point for travelers exploring this unique region. But beyond its small port and shops, the island reveals a surprising range of ecosystems, from black lava shores to lush highlands where giant tortoises roam freely.