South Dakota, known for its striking contrasts, from sacred Indigenous landmarks to dramatic prairie landscapes, offers travelers a rare chance to experience stories etched in both stone and living tradition. Mount Rushmore may be the most photographed site, but just 17 miles away, the Crazy Horse Memorial tells a deeper story. In the west, the Black Hills are full of geological surprises and sacred sites. Custer State Park offers scenic drives where herds of bison often stop traffic.
The Netherlands offers travelers a landscape where innovation and tradition intersect. In cities like Amsterdam, visitors can explore centuries-old canal networks and Golden Age architecture while also encountering contemporary art installations and sustainable urban design. The Rijksmuseum houses masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer, while a short walk away, the Van Gogh Museum brings visitors closer to one of history’s most studied painters.
It's the largest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, lying 40 miles south of St. Thomas and St. John. While its history is laced with tales of pirates and privateers, the island today maintains a slower, more quiet pace than its sisters to the north.
Fort Myers is a city on Florida’s southwest Gulf Coast, located along the Caloosahatchee River near its entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. The city combines a historic downtown, riverfront parks, residential neighborhoods, and access to beaches and coastal islands. Its location makes waterways central to recreation, with boating, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing available on the river and nearby Gulf waters. Fort Myers is also known for the winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.
Outjo is a small town in Namibia’s Kunene Region and an important stop on the route toward Etosha National Park and the dry landscapes of Damaraland. It sits among low hills and open bushveld, with the town serving as a practical center for travelers, local residents, and nearby farming communities. Its location makes it a useful base for exploring the southern part of Etosha, while roads from Outjo also lead toward Khorixas and Kamanjab.
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Polar Bears
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Walrus at Smeerenburgbreen
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Billefjorden
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Photo Credit: Photo by Dylan Shaw on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Dylan Shaw on Unsplash
Barnacle goose
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Arctic skua
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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.
Trondheim
Nestled along the Trondheim Fjord in central Norway, Trondheim offers a captivating blend of rich history and vibrant modern life. As Norway’s first capital, Trondheim boasts a legacy that includes the striking Nidaros Cathedral, an iconic landmark whose construction began in the 11th century.