Dana Point is a coastal city in Southern California, situated along the Pacific Ocean between Los Angeles and San Diego. The city is built around a prominent headland and natural harbor, with steep coastal bluffs overlooking beaches and sheltered waters. Dana Point Harbor forms the center of much of the community’s maritime activity, while nearby parks and coastal trails provide access to ocean views.
The third largest city in Turkey, a cosmopolitan and lively city all year round, during the International Arts Festival (June/July) and the international Fair (August/September), Izmir bursts with an added vibrancy.
Gijón sits on Spain’s northern coast in Asturias, shaped by its long relationship with the Cantabrian Sea. From its origins as a Roman settlement to its later growth as an industrial and port city, Gijón has balanced maritime work with civic life.
Nuwara Eliya sits high in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, above the plains at nearly 1,900 meters, with a climate that remains refreshingly mild year-round, which is a sharp contrast to the tropical warmth found elsewhere on the island. For those looking to explore the outdoors, Lake Gregory has long been a place for boating, walking, and watching the mist drift across the water at dawn.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, in western Uganda, is one of East Africa’s most diverse and scenic protected areas. Stretching from the Rwenzori Mountains to the shores of Lake Edward, the park encompasses savannah, wetlands, and dense forests, making it a sanctuary for an incredible array of wildlife.
Monterrey, the capital of Nuevo León, stands at the foot of the Sierra Madre Oriental and has long been recognized as one of Mexico’s most industrial and innovative cities. The Macroplaza is one of the largest public squares in Latin America and links historic buildings like the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral with newer sites like the Museo de Historia Mexicana and the Faro del Comercio, a towering orange structure that beams a green laser across the sky each night.
Nestled between Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park, Moab is the perfect entryway to some of Utah’s most iconic scenery. Dotted with gorgeous sandstone formations, mesas, and buttes, Moab epitomizes the rugged beauty of the American Southwest.
Situated near the Colorado River, Moab provides direct access to dozens of nature trails and parks where you can hike, bike, raft, or camp to experience immense canyons and awe-inspiring desert landscapes. Nearby dinosaur trails give you a glimpse of dinosaur fossils and preserved tracks dating back to the Mesozoic Era.
When you’re done exploring national parks, take a breather in downtown Moab to browse local art galleries, check out the Moab Museum, or sample from local restaurants and breweries.
Other Popular Destinations in Utah
Zion National Park
Zion National Park, located in southwestern Utah, is known for its massive sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and unique desert ecosystems. Established in 1919, it was Utah’s first national park and continues to attract visitors with its dramatic elevation shifts and striking rock formations. The park’s most iconic feature, Zion Canyon, stretches for 15 miles and reaches depths of up to 2,640 feet, carved over time by the Virgin River.
Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon, tucked into the high plateaus of southern Utah, offers one of the most unusual landscapes in the American Southwest. It’s not actually a canyon but a series of natural amphitheaters carved into the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. What makes Bryce unique is its dense collection of hoodoos which are tall, thin spires of rock formed over millions of years by frost-wedging and erosion.