From the Caribbean Sea on one side to the Pacific Ocean on the other, Central America is home to lush rainforests, volcanic peaks, and vibrant coastal towns.
The Loire Valley stretches along the gentle curves of France’s longest river, a place where riverside towns, historic estates and vineyards have shaped daily life for centuries. This long stretch of landscape was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its remarkable cultural landscape, which includes towns like Tours, Blois, Amboise and Saumur and a tapestry of castles standing beside the river banks.
Tomar sits on the Nabão River in central Portugal as a place where medieval history and everyday life meet in welcoming streets and grand monuments. Just outside the convent walls lies the Pegões Aqueduct, an impressive feat of engineering more than 6 kilometers long that once carried water from distant springs to the hilltop site. Some sections of its arches rise more than 30 meters above the valley floor, making it a striking backdrop for photos.
Baddeck sits along the calm waters of the Bras d’Or Lake on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, a village with deep roots and stories to tell. Its name comes from an Indigenous word thought to mean “place with an island near,” a nod to nearby Kidston Island and the long history of the Mi’kmaq people in the area. A highlight for many visitors is the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, where the legacy of one of history’s most inventive minds comes alive.
Porto is a spectacular and inviting city, and one of Western Europe's rising travel destinations. History, nightlife, attractions and excellent tourist accommodations distinguish this coastal city.
Narrow cobbled streets, the São Francisco Church's baroque wonders, port wine aging in huge cellars along the river... there's so much for visitors to delve into here. Visit the labyrinthine Ribeira district, walk the Trindade district's grand plaza, and be sure to take a boat tour on the Douro for an enchanting perspective of this Portugal gem.