Dakhla is a coastal city in Morocco’s far southwest, situated on a narrow peninsula that extends into a large Atlantic lagoon. Its setting creates a striking contrast between the dry desert landscape inland and the sheltered blue waters along the coast. Dakhla is an important regional centre for fishing, commerce, and transport, while its lagoon has made the city increasingly known for water sports.
St. Thomas, the gateway to the U.S. Virgin Islands, is a vibrant mix of history, culture, and Caribbean charm. Its capital, Charlotte Amalie, features a waterfront lined with pastel-colored colonial buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, and historic forts such as Fort Christian, which offer glimpses into the island’s Danish colonial past.
Ballestas Islands are a group of rocky islands off the coast of Paracas in Peru’s Ica Region, within the marine ecosystem influenced by the cold Humboldt Current. The islands consist of North, Central, and South Ballestas and are protected as part of the National Reserve System of Islands, Islets and Guano Points. Their steep rock faces, arches, caves, and eroded formations rise directly from the Pacific Ocean. The islands are best known for their concentration of marine wildlife.
Chengdu, the capital of China's Sichuan Province, blends modern urban life with centuries of history. It is famous as the home of the giant panda, but its cultural significance extends far beyond wildlife.
Trabzon was founded in the 7th century B.C. by Milletain colonists. On entering the city, on a green hill descending to the sea, is a well-preserved 13th century Byzantine church, now the Avasofya Museum. The walls of this church are decorated with frescoes, some of the finest examples of Byzantine craftmanship. The higher part of the city, the old quarter, inside the still extant fortifications with its timber houses, should be visited.
Other Popular Destinations in Turkey
Istanbul
Istanbul is a city built on layers of empire. Spanning two continents, it was once the capital of three major empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Visitors walking through the Sultanahmet district can witness this timeline firsthand, from the Roman-era Hippodrome to the Byzantine mosaics of Hagia Sophia, and the towering minarets of the Blue Mosque. At nearby Topkapi Palace, rooms still display the jeweled swords, ceremonial robes, and handwritten Qurans once used by Ottoman sultans.
Cappadocia
The ancient region of Cappadocia lies in Central Anatolia, between the cities of Nevsehir, Kayseri and Nigde. Here, the traveler finds one of the most fantastic landscapes in the world. Wind and weather have eroded the soft volcanic rock with hundreds of strangely shaped pillars, cones and "fairy chimneys", often very tall, and in every shade from pink through yellow to russet browns.