Brasília may be a World Heritage Site, but it is only of interest to town planning and architecture students, and those keen to witness the folly of man on a metropolitan scale. It must have looked good on paper, and still looks good in photos, but in the flesh, forget it. Designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, urban planner Lucio Costa, and landscape architect Burle Marx, the city was built in an incredible three years between 1957 and 1960.
Drakensberg in Lesotho forms part of the country’s dramatic highland landscape, where steep mountains, deep valleys, and high plateaus dominate the scenery. The range is especially prominent in the eastern part of Lesotho, with peaks rising above broad upland areas and remote settlements. The Maloti Mountains, as they are known within Lesotho, are closely linked to the country’s geography and way of life. Much of the highland terrain is covered by grassland, while rivers and streams cut through
Palm Desert is a city in California’s Coachella Valley, set between the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains and the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Its landscape is characterized by desert plains, palm trees, rugged mountain slopes, and irrigated areas created around residential neighborhoods and golf courses. El Paseo forms the city’s best-known commercial district, with shops, galleries, restaurants, and public art along a landscaped boulevard.
Nestled in the picturesque Eastfjords of Iceland, Seyðisfjörður is a small town that offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural charm. Surrounded by steep mountains and cascading waterfalls, the town is renowned for its vibrant arts scene and well-preserved wooden houses. Seyðisfjörður’s colorful architecture contrasts beautifully with the dramatic fjord landscape, creating a captivating setting for visitors.
Lake Toba is another of the island's spectacular sights - a remarkable volcanic crater set in the middle of northern Sumatra, 176km from Medan. The lake is huge (the largest in South-East Asia), occupying the caldera of a giant volcano that collapsed on itself after a massive eruption some 100,000 years ago.
Road Town, the vibrant capital of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), offers a charming blend of Caribbean culture, history, and natural beauty. Nestled around a horseshoe-shaped harbor and fringed by lush green hills, Road Town is the bustling heart of the BVI, where visitors can explore colorful markets, historical landmarks, and an inviting waterfront.
Photo Credit: Image by nenadkostic1975 from Pixabay
Photo Credit: Photo by Maria Krasnova on Unsplash
The popular resort Fethiye boasts an imortant marina at the head of a beautiful bay strewn with islands. A hill crowned by teh ruins of the crusader fortress built by the Knights of Rhodes overlooks the little port. Above the town, numerous Lycian rock tombs, reproducing the facades of ancient buildings, were cut into the cliff face. The Tomb of Amyntas, which probably dates from the fourth century B.C. is the most remarkable.
Other Popular Destinations in Turkey
Istanbul
Istanbul is a city built on layers of empire. Spanning two continents, it was once the capital of three major empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Visitors walking through the Sultanahmet district can witness this timeline firsthand, from the Roman-era Hippodrome to the Byzantine mosaics of Hagia Sophia, and the towering minarets of the Blue Mosque. At nearby Topkapi Palace, rooms still display the jeweled swords, ceremonial robes, and handwritten Qurans once used by Ottoman sultans.
Kuşadası
Kuşadası is a seaside city on Türkiye’s Aegean coast, set around a broad bay with beaches, a marina, and a busy harbor. Its location places it close to several major archaeological sites, including Ephesus, making it an important base for exploring the cultural landscape of western Anatolia. The city itself combines waterfront districts with the narrow streets of Kaleiçi, where shops, cafés, and restaurants occupy traditional buildings.