IJmuiden is a North Sea port town in the province of North Holland, positioned at the mouth of the North Sea Canal. Its identity is closely tied to fishing, shipping, industry, and the sea, with working harbors and large vessels forming part of the everyday landscape. The town also has a broad sandy coastline and extensive dunes, creating a contrast between maritime industry and open coastal scenery.
Smith Rock State Park is a high-desert landscape in central Oregon, where the Crooked River cuts through a canyon surrounded by towering cliffs of volcanic rock. Located near the community of Terrebonne, the park is known for its sheer rock walls, open grasslands, and rugged terrain.
Kakum National Park is a protected rainforest area in southern Ghana, located near Cape Coast in the Central Region. The park covers a large area of tropical forest with tall trees, dense undergrowth, streams, and shaded paths. It is part of the Upper Guinea Forest ecosystem, one of West Africa’s important remaining rainforest zones. Kakum is particularly known for its canopy walkway, which allows visitors to experience the forest from above the ground.
Drake Bay is a remote coastal destination on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, facing the Pacific Ocean near the northern edge of Corcovado National Park. The bay is surrounded by tropical rainforest, steep green hills, beaches, rivers, and small coastal settlements.
Dresden, the capital of Saxony, is a city where history, culture, and beauty seamlessly intertwine. Known as the "Florence on the Elbe," Dresden boasts a stunning array of baroque and rococo architecture that captivates visitors from around the world. Dresden hosts the world's oldest Christmas market, the Striezelmarkt, dating back to 1434.
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
Photo Credit: Photo by Lloyd Woodham on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Daniel Fatnes on Unsplash
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.
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.