Channel Islands National Park protects five islands and the surrounding waters off the coast of Southern California: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara Island. Separated from the mainland by the Santa Barbara Channel, the islands contain steep cliffs, sea caves, beaches, grasslands, and rugged hills shaped by wind and ocean conditions.
Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is one of Africa’s most vibrant and unpredictable cities. Sprawling along the banks of the Congo River, it’s the third-largest city on the continent and pulses with music, art, and personality at every turn. Across the river lies Brazzaville, making Kinshasa part of the only pair of national capitals facing each other across a single waterway.
No place on Earth quite compares to Antarctica, this stunning and vast continent is cold and windy, containing 90% of the ice in the world. Those who brave a visit here are rewarded with beautiful glaciers that must be seen to be believed, and a vast array of wildlife such as whales, penguins, Arctic foxes and seals.
Piombino is a coastal city on a promontory in southern Tuscany, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. Its position on the Etruscan Coast has shaped both its history and its modern identity, with a working port, maritime traditions, and access to beaches and protected coastal areas. The historic center occupies the older part of the promontory, where medieval and Renaissance buildings stand within sections of the former defensive walls.
Blaye is a small town on the Gironde estuary in southwestern France, north of Bordeaux, known for its riverside setting, historic citadel, and connection with the vineyards of northern Gironde. The town rises gently from the estuary, with the fortified Citadel of Blaye occupying a prominent position above the water. Its old streets contain stone houses, cafés, and shops, while the waterfront provides views across the broad estuary toward the Médoc peninsula.
Tree-lined avenues, grand architecture, and the imperative to live well defines Bucharest, a bustling city that is rebounding and expanding. In the 1900s, this vibrant Romanian capital was nicknamed "Little Paris" and that jubilant, raise-a-glass spirit carries over to this day.
Travelers are advised to linger in historically-rich Bucharest, even if their future itinerary stop of Transylvania is beckoning. Those that do will be rewarded with 21st-century modernity and belle époque antiquity. Attractions include the gargantuan Palace of Parliament, the grand concert hall Romanian Athenaeum, King Mihai I Park, and the Arch of Triumph war memorial.
Other Popular Destinations in Romania
Braşov
Nestled in the heart of Romania, Brașov is a charming city that effortlessly blends medieval history with stunning natural beauty. Encircled by the Carpathian Mountains, Brașov's well-preserved medieval architecture and vibrant cultural scene make it a must-visit destination.
Sighisoara
Sighisoara rises above the Târnava Mare River as one of the few medieval citadels in Europe that is still lived in and admired today. Its historic center has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999, recognized for its long history as a fortified Saxon settlement and its role in trade and defense on the edges of central Europe. Wander through cobbled alleys framed by pastel-colored houses, and the layers of time feel close at hand, from the city walls and guild towers to busy cafés.