Weymouth is a seaside town on England’s Jurassic Coast, where a long tradition of maritime life meets a relaxed, lived-in shoreline. Its broad sandy beach curves gently around the bay, sheltered by the Isle of Portland, making it one of the south coast’s most approachable places for swimming and coastal walks.
Most commonly reached via travel from Cusco, Ollantaytambo is an Incan archaeological site in the Sacred Valley of southern Peru. The town dates from the late 15th century and is home to some of the oldest continuously-occupied dwellings in South America.
Rocamadour is a remarkable village set against a steep limestone cliff in the Lot department of southwestern France. Its stone buildings, narrow lanes and ancient sanctuaries rise in stages above the Alzou River valley, giving the settlement a striking silhouette that has drawn visitors for centuries. Pilgrims have come here since the Middle Ages to see the Black Madonna in the Chapelle Notre-Dame and to walk the Chemin de Croix.
Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, sits along the Danube River at the crossroads of Central Europe. It's the only capital in the world bordering Austria and Hungary, which makes it an easy stop on many European itineraries. Yet Bratislava is more than a waypoint; it offers a compact city center filled with centuries of history. The Old Town’s cobbled lanes lead past Gothic cathedrals, Baroque palaces, and buildings once used by Habsburg royalty.
Merida was once the sprawling capital of the Mayan empire and the center of their universe. Merida is now the center of a cosmopolitan universe, built on Mayan heritage, and given a unique twist by French and Mediterranean immigrants. Days are spent exploring the city's many museums and equally fascinating shopping districts. At night, local music can be heard from just about every park in the city, inviting newcomers to enjoy a romantic and fun-filled evening.
Las Palmas (officially Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) is the capital of Gran Canaria island as well as co-capital (along with Santa Cruz de Tenerife) of the Canary Islands.
It is a major cruise-ship port known for duty-free shopping and sandy beaches, including Playa de Las Canteras, considered by many to be one of the best urban beaches worldwide. A variety of museums will delight history buffs, and of course, swimming and surfing as well as beach sports are quite popular.
The city also hosts several annual festivals. The Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is known worldwide, held each February, and includes a six-kilometer parade. Other events include the Canary Islands Music Festival, a World of Music Arts and Dance Festival, an International Film Festival and more.
Other Popular Destinations in Canary Islands
Santa Cruz de La Palma
Santa Cruz de La Palma is the capital of the island of La Palma, one of the seven Canary Islands. Although often forgotten in favor of the similarly named Santa Cruz de Tenerife, it is a compact and colorful colonial town well worth a visit. Swimming, paragliding, and hiking and some of the most popular daytime activities, while stargazing is a favorite pastime after the sun goes down.
Tenerife Island
Tenerife is the largest isle of the Canary Islands archipelago. Famous for its black and yellow sand beaches as well as Mt. Teide, the dormant volcano that looms over the island.