The metropolitan center of southeastern France, vibrant Lyon abounds with stunning architectural masterpieces, gastronomic delights, and immersive museums. This spectacular city, founded by the Romans centuries ago, rivals Paris as a cultural and social hub for exploring the best that France has to offer.
As a city located in a Baltic Sea archipelago, it's not surprising that Stockholm has 50 bridges and sightseeing boats moving people between its 14 islands. This contemporary and welcoming capital of Sweden is nonetheless easily navigable by foot. Every district here has a distinct flavor, from the sophisticated Östermalm to the bustling downtown energy of Norrmalm to the delightful Old Town.
Palenque, nestled in the lush jungles of Chiapas, Mexico, offers an enthralling glimpse into the grandeur of the ancient Maya civilization. The city is renowned for its well-preserved ruins, which include the majestic Temple of the Inscriptions, where the tomb of the ruler Pakal the Great was discovered in 1952.
A small island only 100 miles in length and 20 miles in width, South Georgia's only inhabitants are herds of reindeer, penguins, seals, and about 20 scientists who maintain the British Antarctic Survey station on the island. It lies about 800 miles east of the Falkland Islands, and is owned by the British.
Nestled along Costa Rica's Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio National Park is a jewel of biodiversity and natural beauty that enchants every traveler who steps into its lush embrace. Renowned for its pristine beaches, dense rainforests, and remarkable wildlife, the park offers a unique combination of adventure and relaxation. Hike along the park's well-maintained trails, like the Punta Catedral trail, which winds through the jungle and offers stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
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.