The Fish River Canyon in southern Namibia is one of the planet’s most remarkable landforms, stretching across vast terrain in the Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. It is one of Africa’s largest canyons, carved over millions of years by the Fish River as it etched a deep, twisting gorge into the desert plateau. From high viewpoints like Hell’s Bend, visitors can see layers of rock dropping away to reveal ridges and ravines that seem to go on forever, all under wide, open skies.
La Paz, Bolivia’s seat of government, is one of the world’s highest capital cities, dramatically set in a deep canyon carved by the Choqueyapu River. Founded in 1548 atop an important Indigenous settlement, the city has long been a crossroads of Andean cultures, colonial history, and modern political life.
Vang Vieng, nestled along the banks of the Nam Song River in central Laos, is an adventurer's paradise surrounded by stunning limestone karsts and verdant landscapes. Known for its laid-back atmosphere and natural beauty, this small town has transformed from a backpacker haven into a more sophisticated destination offering a mix of adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences.
Photo Credit: Photo by Doctor Tinieblas on Unsplash
Some of the most spectacular scenery is found on a trip to the San Juan Islands. No wonder. This 100-million-year-old mountain range turned archipelago, located a few miles northwest of Seattle, changes dramatically with the tide. There are 743 islands at low tide--and 428 at high tide.
The four largest islands are Orcas, San Juan, Shaw and Lopez. They are loaded with bald eagles, herons, cormorants, puffins and osprey, which hide out in the madrona trees. Along the way, your vessel might be followed by Dall's porpoise, harbor seals or even orca whales year-round residents of the San Juan Islands. Even if you're there for a single day, you have time to take a Whale and Sealife Search led by a naturalist, or shop in the local galleries.