Samoa, a stunning island nation in the South Pacific, invites travelers with its rich cultural traditions and breathtaking landscapes—stunning rainforests, towering waterfalls, and dramatic coastlines that seem to stretch endlessly into the horizon. Made up of two main islands, Upolu and Savaii, along with seven smaller islands, Western Samoa is a vibrant hub of Polynesian culture.
Opatija, located on Croatia’s Kvarner Bay, has been drawing visitors since the 19th century, when Austro-Hungarian aristocrats built grand villas along its Adriatic shoreline. Today, many of those same buildings still stand with some restored as luxury hotels and others preserved as cultural landmarks. The town’s most recognizable structure, Villa Angiolina, opened in 1844 and marked the start of Opatija’s rise as a fashionable seaside resort.
Bright red Molja Lighthouse beckons you to explore Alesund, the tiny seaside town along the western fjords of Norway. A popular destination for Norwegian cruises, this coastal jewel will charm you with a colorful harbor, verdant natural beauty, and fresh seafood.
Photo Credit: Photo by Kameron Kincade on Unsplash
Kilauea is the world's largest active volcanic mass, located southeastern Hawaii Island. The central feature of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is an elongated dome built of lava eruptions from a central crater and from lines of craters extending along east and southwest riffs or fissures.
Kilauea is bordered by the volcano of Mauna Loa to the west and north, the Kau Desert to the southwest, Ainahou Ranch to the south and a tropical fern jungle to the north-northeast.
Kipuka Puaula, also called Bird Park, is located to the northwest, a grassy meadow dotted with clumps of koa, ohia, soapberry, kolea and mamani trees, has a nature trail leading to an open forest with many varieties of native trees.
Other Popular Destinations in Hawaii
Honolulu, Oahu
Honolulu, the capital of Hawaiʻi and the largest city in the Pacific, blends the energy of a major urban center with the deep roots of Native Hawaiian culture. Set on the island of Oʻahu, it’s home to iconic beaches, royal history, and a rhythm all its own. This sunny capital city is the main portal to the larger Hawaiian archipelago, and the perfect base for exploring Oahu.
Kona, Hawaii
Kona started as King Kamehameha I's government seat, and is now a popular tourist destination with key landmarks like Hulihee Palace, as well as coffee farms, shopping and dining.