Paro, Bhutan, is a serene valley town that offers a gateway to the mystical charm of the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Nestled amidst verdant hills and bisected by the glistening Paro Chhu river, Paro is home to some of Bhutan’s most iconic landmarks and cultural treasures. At the heart of this picturesque valley stands the majestic Paro Dzong, or Rinpung Dzong, a fortress-monastery with a history dating back to the 17th century.
Amboy is a small desert community in San Bernardino County, California, located along the historic U.S. Route 66 in the Mojave Desert. The settlement sits near Amboy Crater, a broad volcanic cinder cone rising from a largely open lava field. Its isolated location and surviving roadside structures provide a clear sense of the distances once traveled by motorists crossing the desert.
Billings, Montana sits on the edge of the vast plains and at the base of ancient sandstone cliffs known as the Rimrocks. These formations frame the city and provide miles of scenic overlooks, hiking trails, and even fossil beds. From Swords Park, visitors can walk or bike along the paved trail that follows the rim’s edge, offering sweeping views of downtown, the Yellowstone River, and distant snowcapped peaks.
Hanalei is located on the North central coast of Kauai Island. Near the head of Hanalei Bay, the village is in scenic and fertile Hanalei or Hanohano Valley, one of the states few rice producing regions.
Missionaries arrived at the site in 1834, and Mission Home was built and furnished with materials brought aboard Cape Horn. The Waioli Mission, now used as a community center, combines the strakness of a New England clapboard house with Hawaiian details such as lanais, wide eaves, and long slopping roof lines.
Lumahai Beach, located on the west, is a noted beauty spot.
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.