On Cook Strait sits Wellington, New Zealand's charming windy city. Must-sees here include the waterfront, the lovely beaches, and the Wellington Cable Car that takes riders to botanical gardens. For cultural exposure, visit The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, with its Maori national treasures and art gallery. Wellington Zoo is another key attraction, and features Tahi, a one-legged kiwi, as its mascot.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area lies about 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, where the Mojave Desert rises into sandstone cliffs, rugged mountains, and broad desert valleys. Nevada’s first National Conservation Area, it covers nearly 198,000 acres and provides a sharp contrast to the developed landscape of Las Vegas. The area is best known for its red and cream-colored rock formations, especially the Calico Hills and the Red Rock escarpment.
Haarlem is a historic city in the Dutch province of North Holland, located on the Spaarne River between Amsterdam and the North Sea coast. Its compact center contains canals, narrow streets, brick merchant houses, courtyards, and public squares, with the Grote Markt forming the traditional heart of the city. The Grote or St.-Bavokerk dominates the square with its tall tower and monumental organ.
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.
Paso Robles is a city in California’s Central Coast, situated between the coastal mountains and the inland valleys of San Luis Obispo County. The surrounding landscape includes rolling hills, vineyards, oak woodlands, ranches, and agricultural fields, with the Salinas River passing through the area. The city’s compact downtown is centered on a historic public square and contains restaurants, tasting rooms, shops, and galleries.
It's the largest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, lying 40 miles south of St. Thomas and St. John. While its history is laced with tales of pirates and privateers, the island today maintains a slower, more quiet pace than its sisters to the north.
Columbus landed here in 1493 and had a rather unpleasant run-in with the indigenous Arawak Indians. Since then, the history of St. Croix is the history of European colonialism: sugar plantations, slave trading and, today, tourism. To walk this island is to enter history. There are beautiful beaches and many excellent resorts to enjoy.
Other Popular Destinations in Virgin Islands
St. Thomas
St. Thomas, the gateway to the U.S. Virgin Islands, is a vibrant mix of history, culture, and Caribbean charm. Its capital, Charlotte Amalie, features a waterfront lined with pastel-colored colonial buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, and historic forts such as Fort Christian, which offer glimpses into the island’s Danish colonial past.
Tortola Island
Tortola, the largest island in the British Virgin Islands, beckons travelers with its idyllic beaches and vibrant culture. Known for its stunning natural beauty, Tortola offers crystal-clear waters, lush landscapes, and a range of outdoor activities. Cane Garden Bay, one of the island’s most famous beaches, is renowned for its powdery white sand and turquoise waters.