Batalha, a small town in central Portugal, is steeped in history and home to one of the country’s most magnificent monuments, the Batalha Monastery. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, also known as the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, was built to commemorate the Portuguese victory over Castile at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. I
Situated at the confluence of the rivers Merwede and Noord, Dordrecht is one of the Netherlands' oldest cities, rich in history and character from its charming medieval center and picturesque canals to its beautiful historic buildings. With its intricate network of canals and waterways, the city once played a key role in the Dutch Golden Age and is home to the Biesbosch National Park, one of the largest national parks in the Netherlands.
Elvas rises from the Alentejo plains near the Spanish border as one of Portugal’s most striking fortified towns, shaped by centuries of defense, resilience, and daily life along the frontier. Encircled by an immense network of walls, bastions, and hilltop forts, the town tells a clear story of strategy and survival, from the sweeping views at Forte da Graça to the quiet streets within the historic center.
Langtang National Park lies just north of Kathmandu, yet it feels far removed from the city’s pace. As Nepal’s first Himalayan national park, it stretches from lush river valleys to high alpine ridges close to the Tibetan border. Snow-covered peaks such as Langtang Lirung rise above forests of oak, maple, and rhododendron, creating dramatic shifts in scenery over short distances.
Nazaré, set along Portugal’s wild Atlantic coast, is a fishing town transformed into one of the world’s most dramatic surf destinations. Its identity is deeply tied to the sea, both in its centuries-old maritime traditions and in the awe-inspiring waves that now draw visitors from around the globe.