One of Japan's 60 core cities, Aomori is well-known for its beautiful landscapes. Favorite landscapes include the Hakkoda Mountains and Lake Towada. Another of the city's highlights is the Nebuta Matsuri, an annual festival known for its daily parade of giant, colorful lantern floats.
Amboy is a small desert community in San Bernardino County, California, located along the historic U.S. Route 66 in the Mojave Desert. The settlement sits near Amboy Crater, a broad volcanic cinder cone rising from a largely open lava field. Its isolated location and surviving roadside structures provide a clear sense of the distances once traveled by motorists crossing the desert.
Dominica, known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” is a haven for eco-tourists and adventure seekers. Nestled between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, this lush island boasts a remarkable landscape of volcanic mountains, dense rainforests, and stunning waterfalls. Dominica’s most iconic natural wonder is the Boiling Lake, the second-largest hot spring in the world.
Shkodër is a historic city in northwestern Albania, located near Lake Shkodër and the meeting point of the Buna, Drin, and Kir rivers. Its position between the lake, lowland plains, and the Albanian Alps gives the city a varied setting and makes it an important gateway to northern Albania. Shkodër is known for its bicycle culture, pedestrian streets, historic neighborhoods, and strong artistic traditions.
Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, is a vibrant city where colonial architecture meets modern skyscrapers. Visitors can explore historic sites such as the Gangaramaya Temple, the Dutch Hospital, and the Colombo National Museum, which reflect the city’s rich cultural heritage and diverse history.
Traditional pirogues rest beside a mangrove-lined waterway in Makasutu Culture Forest.
Photo Credit: Mark Hodson Photos
Dense mangrove roots line a tidal creek within Makasutu Culture Forest.
Photo Credit: Jan Kruithof/tjabeljan
Floating lodges reflect in the still waters of Makasutu’s mangrove landscape at twilight.
Photo Credit: Forbes Johnston
Discover Makasutu Culture Forest, a privately managed nature reserve near Brikama where palm groves, hardwood woodland, savanna and mangrove-lined creeks form one of The Gambia’s most varied natural settings. Guided forest walks and peaceful canoe journeys offer opportunities to observe abundant birdlife and other wildlife, while local guides introduce visitors to traditional crafts, music, dance and palm-sap harvesting. Blending nature, culture and community, Makasutu provides an immersive look at the landscapes and traditions of The Gambia.
Other Popular Destinations in The Gambia
Banjul
Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, is located on St. Mary’s Island at the mouth of the Gambia River, giving it a unique waterfront setting.
Tanjeh
Tanjeh, also known as Tanji, is a coastal fishing village in The Gambia’s West Coast Region, facing the Atlantic Ocean south of the main tourist area. The settlement is known for its working fishing beach, where traditional wooden pirogues bring in catches from the sea and fish are sorted, sold, smoked, or dried.