Rauma is a historic coastal town in western Finland, located on the Gulf of Bothnia and known for its well-preserved wooden Old Rauma district. Narrow lanes, colorful timber houses, small courtyards, and irregular street patterns give the historic center a distinctive appearance. Outside the old town, Rauma remains an important port and industrial center, while the surrounding coast contains islands, rocky shores, and forested landscapes.
Tikehau is a small coral atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia, northeast of Tahiti. Its oval lagoon is enclosed by a narrow chain of coral islets known as motu, with only a few channels connecting the lagoon to the open Pacific. Most of the land is low and covered with coconut palms, coastal vegetation, and white- and pink-tinged sand.
Macao, a Special Administrative Region of China, is known for its distinctive blend of Portuguese and Chinese heritage. Once a Portuguese colony, the city retains historic squares, colonial architecture, and cobblestone streets that contrast with its modern skyline of resorts and entertainment complexes.
Photo Credit: Photo by Nathaniel Villaire on Unsplash
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Photo Credit: Photo by Ravi Palwe on Unsplash
Conservatory at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Photo Credit: Photo by James Kobus on Unsplash
Crane on James River
Photo Credit: Photo by Robin Jonathan Deutsch on Unsplash
Located along the James River, Richmond offers historic areas dealing with the early years of America.
Other Popular Destinations in Virginia
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is a coastal city in southeastern Virginia where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Chesapeake Bay and a network of rivers, marshes, and inland waterways. Its long oceanfront includes sandy beaches, dunes, and a busy boardwalk, while the southern part of the city contains broad wetlands, forests, and agricultural land. The city is geographically large and includes several distinct communities beyond the resort district.
Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Virginia offers visitors the unusual opportunity to walk through a fully reconstructed 18th-century city. As the capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg played a key role in early American politics and daily life. Today, Colonial Williamsburg spans over 300 acres and includes historic buildings, working tradespeople, and costumed interpreters who bring the Revolutionary era to life.