Who would have thought, back in the tumultuous coup and counter coup days of the 1970s, that Burkina Faso would become the cultural darling of West Africa? Unlikely as it seems, Burkina Faso has become the Utah of West Africa, hosting a biennial film festival that rivals the Sundance Film Festival for cultural clout. When it's not hosting film festivals, it's busy organizing its other biennial cultural festival.

Charyn Canyon National Park is a protected area in southeastern Kazakhstan, east of Almaty, centered on the dramatic Charyn Canyon carved by the Charyn River. The park covers a landscape of deep gorges, dry valleys, cliffs, and semi-desert plains at the edge of the Tian Shan. Charyn Canyon is the park's best-known feature, with layers of sedimentary rock exposed along steep walls shaped by erosion.

Tarpon Springs has beautiful residential areas that are a mixture of new subdivisions and old mansions that are clustered around saltwater bayous and other waterways. There is plenty to see and do from deep sea fishing, championship golf to antiquing and enjoying spectacular sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico.

With its untouched beauty, rich traditions, and serene atmosphere, Savai'i offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with both the natural world and the Samoan way of life. Whether exploring volcanic landscapes, swimming in crystal-clear waters, or simply enjoying the tranquility of the island, Savai'i promises an unforgettable experience.

Gumbane is a rural community in southern Mozambique, in Inhambane Province, where sandy soils, woodland and cultivated plots shape much of the surrounding landscape.