Elmina is a coastal town in southern Ghana, located along the Gulf of Guinea in the Central Region. The town is closely tied to the Atlantic fishing industry, with large numbers of brightly painted wooden canoes lining the shoreline each morning.
One of the major rivers of the Iberian Peninsula, the Douro in north-central Spain and Portugal just might be the world's most beautiful wine region. Most of the river on the Spanish side isn't navigable, so river cruises generally travel roundtrip from Porto, on the coast of the Atlantic.
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.
Merida was once the sprawling capital of the Mayan empire and the center of their universe. Merida is now the center of a cosmopolitan universe, built on Mayan heritage, and given a unique twist by French and Mediterranean immigrants. Days are spent exploring the city's many museums and equally fascinating shopping districts. At night, local music can be heard from just about every park in the city, inviting newcomers to enjoy a romantic and fun-filled evening.