Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument stretches across southern Utah as a vast landscape of layered cliffs, winding canyons, and open desert plateaus. The land shifts in color from pale cream to deep red, depending on the angle of the sun, revealing rock layers that look like pages stacked over time. Much of the area feels remote, with long dirt roads like Hole-in-the-Rock Road leading travelers deep into quiet terrain where rock formations rise suddenly from flat ground.
The Atacama Desert in Chile, the driest non-polar desert on Earth, is a place of extraordinary beauty and otherworldly landscapes. Stretching over 600 miles along the Pacific coast, the Atacama's stark, lunar-like terrain is punctuated by salt flats, active geysers, and rugged canyons. One of the most striking sights is the Valle de la Luna, or Valley of the Moon, where wind-sculpted sand dunes and jagged rock formations create a surreal environment that appears as if it's straight from another
Hot Springs, Arkansas has been drawing visitors for centuries, and it all starts with the water. The city sits atop a natural thermal spring system that produces nearly a million gallons of 143-degree water each day. These springs gave rise to Bathhouse Row, a stretch of eight historic bathhouses within Hot Springs National Park. Some, like the Fordyce Bathhouse, now serve as museums, while others still offer traditional thermal soaks.
Avonlea Village is a seasonal attraction in Cavendish on Prince Edward Island's Green Gables Shore, created around the fictional community of Avonlea from Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. The village combines restored heritage buildings with purpose-built replicas of houses and shops inspired by the world of Anne Shirley.
Sigiriya, in central Sri Lanka, is an ancient rock fortress and one of the country’s most iconic archaeological sites. Rising nearly 200 meters from the surrounding plains, the massive granite column is crowned by the ruins of a royal palace built in the 5th century CE by King Kasyapa.
In the central highlands of Mexico lies a rich city, with a culture as colorful as its past. Guadalajara, Mexico's second largest city, may be best known for its tequila, mariachis and the hat dance, all part of its celebrations. The downtown area is dominated by a huge public square, the Plaza del la Liberacion. Guadalahara's most impressive historical sights are found along this square, as well as museums tracing Mexico's long history.
The downtown area is a showcase of alternating architectural styles and quaint shops and markets, including the Mercado Libertad, among the biggest markets in the Western Hemisphere. Check out the local music festivals in Independence Square, or the dance floor of any nightclub! Established artists like Jose Clemente Orozco also left their mark on the city in huge murals that display the drama and tragedy of Mexico's history.
Nature lovers don't need to venture far to find sights. One of Mexico's most impressive natural wonders in only a short drive away at Mirador park. Here the Rio Santiago and Rio Verde Rivers crash down a 1,970 foot gorge into a dozen cascading waterfalls.
Other Popular Destinations in Jalisco
Puerto Vallarta
Nestled on the glittering shores of Bahía de Banderas and bordered by mountains to the east, Puerto Vallarta is a vibrant resort town bustling with tourists. You'll still find the traditional whitewashed houses with red-tile roofs, vivid bougainvillea, cobblestone streets, and colorful fishing boats. Puerto Vallarta is sure to charm you on your next visit to this Mexican paradise!
Punta Mita
Punta Mita is located in the pristine State of Nayarit 40 miles northwest of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, on the northwest point of Bahia de Banderas, the Bay of Flags. The beaches (playas) are the most beautiful and pristine in the entire Bahia de Banderas, Bay of Flags, possibly all of Mexico. Share the magic, come visit the point of simple pleasures.