Santa Cruz de La Palma is the capital of the island of La Palma, one of the seven Canary Islands. Although often forgotten in favor of the similarly named Santa Cruz de Tenerife, it is a compact and colorful colonial town well worth a visit. Swimming, paragliding, and hiking and some of the most popular daytime activities, while stargazing is a favorite pastime after the sun goes down.

The Czech Republic is a country where centuries-old castles, storybook towns, and deeply rooted traditions coexist with vibrant art scenes and local beer halls. Prague draws the most attention, with its Gothic towers, Baroque churches, and the world’s oldest working astronomical clock, still ticking in the Old Town Square.

The Caribbean is a region of vibrant cultures, sunlit shores, and a rich blend of traditions shaped by centuries of history. Scattered across turquoise waters, its islands each offer a unique personality, some bustling with colorful markets and lively music, others known for tranquil beaches and unspoiled nature.

A very clean and European city south of Sao Paulo, it was the center for Polish, German, Italian and Russian immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

What sets Kaikōura apart are the extraordinary marine encounters that begin just off the shoreline. The Kaikōura Canyon, an underwater gorge that plunges to great depths close to land, creates currents rich with nutrients that attract a remarkable array of sea life year-round. Sperm whales are a common sight here and are frequently spotted on local boat tours. Dusky dolphins twist and leap in large pods, and colonies of New Zealand fur seals laze on rocky outcrops along the coast.