Monterey, California, is a coastal gem with a rich maritime history and stunning natural beauty. Located on the rugged Pacific coastline, this charming city is renowned for its world-class aquarium, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which offers visitors a chance to explore the vibrant marine life of the region. Monterey's historic Cannery Row, once the center of the sardine-packing industry, has been transformed into a lively waterfront area brimming with shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
Petrified Forest National Park stretches across the colorful high desert of northeastern Arizona, where grasslands, mesas, badlands, and ancient fossil deposits form an unusual landscape. The park is best known for its extensive petrified wood, much of it preserved from trees that lived in a river environment more than 200 million years ago.
In Cyprus, travelers are immersed in a culture that draws on Europe, the Middle East, and 9000 years of constant invasion. Crusader castles rub shoulders with ancient vineyards, frescoed monasteries overlook citrus orchards, and sandy, sun-soaked feet tread Roman mosaic floors.
Mývatn is a lake and surrounding region in North Iceland, known for its shallow waters, numerous small islands, volcanic formations, and rich birdlife. The lake covers about 37 square kilometers and is part of an internationally important wetland together with the Laxá River. The surrounding landscape was shaped by volcanic activity, creating a mixture of lava fields, craters, geothermal areas, and wetlands within a relatively compact area.
Telavi is the administrative center of Georgia’s Kakheti region, located between the Gombori mountain range and the Alazani Valley. The town is known for its connection to winemaking, traditional balconies, and views toward the snow-covered Caucasus Mountains.
Lyttelton is the largest settlement on Lyttelton Harbour, an inlet on the northwestern side of Banks Peninsula, and provides a frequent landing spot to those who are Christchurch bound.
Other Popular Destinations in New Zealand
Queenstown
This beautiful resort town has a little something for everyone! Whether you are into skiing and snowboarding, jet boating, whitewater rafting, bungy jumping, or mountain biking there is no end to the year around adventure sports you can take advantage of. If you love wine, Queenstown lies close to the center of a small wine producing region, including The Two Paddocks vineyard which is owned by actor Sam Neill.
Auckland
A veritable paradise on Earth, Auckland combines the best of both worlds – a thrilling urban metropolis surrounded by striking natural areas, sparkling blue water, and colorful wildlife. New Zealand’s cultural and recreational hub, beautiful Auckland has something for everyone.