The Osa Peninsula extends into the Pacific Ocean from southern Costa Rica's Puntarenas Province, forming a remote region of rainforest, rivers, beaches, mangroves, and coastal waters. Much of the peninsula remains forested, with small communities such as Puerto Jiménez, Drake Bay, and Carate providing access to the surrounding landscape.
Pondicherry is a coastal town in southern India that still carries traces of its French colonial past. The French Quarter, or White Town, is filled with mustard-yellow buildings, iron-laced balconies, and streets with French names. Visitors can explore this area on foot or by bicycle, stopping at spots like the 18th-century Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges, built in Greco-Roman style, or the French Consulate, which continues to operate from a colonial-era building.
Saint Augustine, Florida, is a charming tapestry of history and coastal beauty. As the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States, this historic city offers a fascinating glimpse into early American life. Founded by Spanish explorers in 1565, Saint Augustine boasts an array of colonial architecture and historic landmarks.
Tinghir is an oasis town in southeastern Morocco, set between the High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas mountains at the entrance to the Todra Valley. The town is surrounded by an extensive palm grove where date palms, gardens, and small agricultural plots follow the Todra River. Its traditional earthen buildings and kasbahs rise above the greenery, creating a clear contrast with the dry mountain slopes nearby.
Guadeloupe's major center is Pointe-à-Pitre, a conglomeration of old and new buildings clustered around the bustling harborside market. Pointe-a-Pitre is Gudeloupe's most popular city--explore the beaches of Grand-Terre and the French fort ruins and volcanic mountaintop of Basse-Terre.
Sunlight enters through an opening above the weathered limestone formations inside the Sawa-i-Lau Caves in Fiji’s Yasawa Islands.
Photo Credit: Wendy Harman
Rising from Fiji’s northern Yasawa Islands, Sawa-i-Lau is a striking limestone island surrounded by an otherwise volcanic island chain. Its rugged shoreline conceals a series of partially flooded caverns, including a spacious chamber where sunlight filters through an opening above and illuminates a clear saltwater pool. Adventurous swimmers can also enter a darker inner cave through a short underwater passage. Rich in local legend, Sawa-i-Lau offers a memorable blend of natural beauty, cultural significance, and island adventure.