Explore Jasper, Alberta and gaze in awe at one of Canada’s most beautiful national parks in the Canadian Rockies. A veritable paradise for the bold traveler, Jasper National Park has no shortage of natural marvels guaranteed to take your breath away.
On the Canadian border where Lake Huron and Lake Superior meet, a canal built in 1895 still is used to have boats bypass the rapids of the St. Mary's river.
Rovaniemi, located just a few kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, is widely recognized as the official hometown of Santa Claus. From late August through early April, the Northern Lights are visible on clear nights, and several local guides offer nighttime tours to remote locations for optimal viewing. During summer, the sun doesn't set for weeks, giving travelers the rare chance to hike or kayak under a sky that stays bright at midnight.
The Gambia is a small West African country known for its rich culture, scenic river landscapes, and warm, welcoming communities. The country is centered around the Gambia River, which flows through the nation and supports agriculture, fishing, and river-based tourism.
South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia is one of Africa’s most treasured wildlife areas, lying along the lush bends of the Luangwa River. Designated as a protected area in the 1970s, it stands out for its consistently high wildlife densities and landscapes that shift with the seasons. Dry grasslands, shaded woodlands, and green floodplains all unfold beneath wide skies, shaping the canvas for memorable animal sightings.
Ambon is the capital of the archipelago of Maluku. The city was founded around the late 1500's due largely to the famed Spice Trade route. Ambon is diverse with the rich culture of many different nationalities.
The Gobi Desert, spanning across northern China and southern Mongolia, is one of the world’s most iconic and mysterious landscapes. Known for its vast stretches of arid plains, towering sand dunes, and rugged mountains, the Gobi offers a stark, breathtaking beauty that has captivated explorers and travelers for centuries. This desert is not only the largest in Asia but also one of the most diverse, with its ecosystems ranging from sandy expanses to steppes that support a surprising array of wildlife. Visitors can witness the grandeur of this desert firsthand, exploring its ancient valleys and experiencing its unique climate, where temperatures can soar to extreme highs in summer and drop drastically in winter.
The Gobi Desert is also steeped in history, having served as a critical part of the ancient Silk Road, the trade route that connected the East and West for centuries. Travelers today can still feel the echoes of this historic trade route, visiting sites like the Khongoryn Els, known as the "Singing Dunes," where the wind creates hauntingly beautiful sounds as it sweeps across the sands. The Gobi’s cultural heritage is equally rich, with ancient monasteries like Erdene Zuu, which provide a glimpse into Mongolia's deep Buddhist traditions.
For those seeking adventure, the Gobi Desert offers unparalleled opportunities. From camel treks that take you deep into the heart of the desert to off-road jeep tours that navigate through its rugged terrain, there’s no shortage of ways to explore this remote region. Wildlife enthusiasts will be thrilled by the chance to spot rare species such as the Bactrian camel, snow leopards, and the elusive Gobi bear, one of the world’s rarest animals.
Fun fact: The Gobi Desert is home to the world’s first dinosaur eggs discovered in the 1920s by American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews. This area continues to be a hotbed for paleontological discoveries, making it a fascinating destination for anyone interested in the ancient past.
Other Popular Destinations in Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is a city where tradition and modern life intertwine. Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, it serves as the country’s cultural, political, and economic hub. The city’s skyline features a mix of Soviet-era architecture, Buddhist monasteries, and contemporary high-rises.
Hustai National Park
Hustai National Park is a protected grassland reserve in central Mongolia, located west of Ulaanbaatar in an area of rolling степpe, forested hills, and river valleys. The park is best known for the reintroduction of the Przewalski’s horse, known locally as takhi, a wild horse species that had disappeared from Mongolia before conservation programs returned it to the region.