The British have long been associated with the Dordogne Valley. Fertile and green, this is where the 100 Year's War was fought. Many of the castles and "Bastides" were built by the British. The French say it is the land with "a little bit of everything", from a gentle river to lush pastures to wonderful wineries.
Córdoba, located in the heart of Andalusia, was once the most advanced city in Western Europe. During the 10th century, it served as the capital of Al-Andalus and was a center for learning, science, and art. Today, visitors walk the same streets that philosophers, poets, and physicians once crossed. The city’s most famous landmark, the Mezquita-Catedral, reflects its layered past. The red and white horseshoe arches inside are one of the most photographed interiors in Spain.
Switzerland's daily life appears to be full of contradictions: the old and the new, natural beauty and industrial production, neutrality and international frankness. These sharp contrasts go hand in hand, and this unity is the real reason that this small country in the heart of Europe has developed into such an important communication and trading partner in the world today. It is Switzerland's contrasts - its diversity which attracts both the businessman and the tourist alike.
Glacier Bay’s untouched beauty will astound you. A National Park and Preserve, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is covered with stunning tidewater glaciers and a variety of native flora and fauna. Be on the lookout for the variety of eye-catching wildlife, including eagles, moose, and humpback whales, who have made Glacier Bay home.
Photo Credit: Photo by Fredrik Solli Wandem on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Dylan Shaw on Unsplash
Polar Bears
Photo Credit: Photo by Francesco Ungaro on Unsplash
Walrus at Smeerenburgbreen
Photo Credit: Photo by Jay Ruzesky on Unsplash
Billefjorden
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Photo Credit: Photo by Dylan Shaw on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Dylan Shaw on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Dylan Shaw on Unsplash
Barnacle goose
Photo Credit: Photo by Jacek Urbanski on Unsplash
Arctic skua
Photo Credit: Photo by Jacek Urbanski on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Bob Brewer on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Chris Marquardt on Unsplash
The remote and austerely beautiful Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago, lies north of continental Norway in the Arctic Ocean, a mere 650 miles from the North Pole. A hub for Dutch, English, French, Norwegian, and Russian whalers between the 17th and 19th centuries, this collection of glacial islands officially joined the Kingdom of Norway in 1925 with the Svalbard Act and continues to be used in coal mining enterprises. Spitsbergen, the only permanently inhabited island in the Svalbard archipelago, and its largest settlement, Longyearbyen, have become popular stops for tourists, who often arrive on arctic cruises.
This mountainous archipelago offers magnificent views of stark white glaciers and snowfields, which cover a vast stretch of the region. Arctic flora and fauna fascinate; catch a glimpse of polar bears, reindeer, arctic foxes, and walruses amongst the mossy tundra and icy coasts. In the summer, visitors will witness the rare splendor of Svalbard’s midnight sun.
Other Popular Destinations in Norway
Bergen
Charming Bergen will sweep you away with its picturesque architecture and breathtaking natural beauty. Nestled between stunningly verdant mountains and the winding fjords of the North Sea, this scenic town will delight you at every turn.
Oslo
Oslo, Norway’s capital, stands at the crossroads of Nordic history and forward-thinking design. Originally founded over a thousand years ago by Viking King Harald Hardrada, the city has evolved from a medieval trading hub into one of Europe’s most modern capitals. Visitors can explore its layered past at the Akershus Fortress, a 13th-century stronghold still standing guard over Oslofjord, or walk through the preserved wooden homes of Damstredet.