San Nicolas, known as Aruba’s “Sunrise City,” offers a completely different vibe from the island’s resort-heavy northwest coast. Located at the southeastern tip, this former oil refinery town has reinvented itself as the cultural heart of Aruba, filled with vibrant street art, local galleries, and a strong sense of community.
Dominica, known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” is a haven for eco-tourists and adventure seekers. Nestled between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, this lush island boasts a remarkable landscape of volcanic mountains, dense rainforests, and stunning waterfalls. Dominica’s most iconic natural wonder is the Boiling Lake, the second-largest hot spring in the world.
Suchitoto, located in the Cuscatlán department of El Salvador, is a hilltop town known for its cobblestone streets and scenic views of Lake Suchitlán. Once an important center for indigo production, the town still celebrates its dye-making history through artisan workshops where visitors can learn to create textiles using natural indigo. The name “Suchitoto” comes from the Nahuatl language and means “place of flowers and birds,” a nod to the area’s diverse birdlife and surrounding vegetation.
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, located in the eastern highlands of Madagascar, offers a captivating journey into one of the world’s most unique rainforests. Famous for its rich biodiversity, this national park is home to the largest species of lemur, the indri, whose haunting calls echo through the dense canopy. Visitors to the park can explore lush tropical landscapes filled with rare plants, birds, and other endemic wildlife, making it a must-visit for nature lovers and adventurers alike.
Portovenere, in the region of Cinque Terre, is a characteristic medieval village situated at the far west of the gulf. With its colored, narrow high houses, the Genoese Castle, the St. Pietro Church on the steep cliff, it unites history with charm. It is a picturesque village, established during the Roman period on a rocky peninsula surrounded by the sea and 3 small islands: Palamaria, Tino and Tinetto. Legend tells of a "Beauty goddess" who was fascinated by a this great natural masterpiece.
Places to visit: San Pietro church (1277), Byron's Grotto, the castle and San Lorenzo church. Recommended: Fresh fish at dinner on the quay.