The Gulf of Alaska, a vast expanse of icy blue waters nestled along the southern coast of Alaska, is a remarkable destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. This pristine region is renowned for its dramatic fjords, rugged coastline, and majestic glaciers, which contribute to its breathtaking scenery.
Alberobello in southern Italy’s Puglia region captures the imagination with its distinctive trulli houses. These structures were built using a dry-stone technique passed down over centuries, without mortar or cement, and their unique form comes from layer upon layer of limestone nestled from nearby fields. Alberobello’s trulli are so remarkable that in 1996 the historic center was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where more than 1,600 of these buildings still stand.
Perugia, the capital of Italy’s Umbria region, is a city built across hills and centuries. Originally settled by the Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago, it still holds remnants of their civilization, including one of the largest surviving Etruscan arches in Italy named Arco Etrusco, which greets visitors at the city’s entrance. Walking through the narrow streets of the historic center reveals layers of Roman, medieval, and Renaissance architecture, all woven together within ancient stone walls.
Majestic Victoria Falls, a waterfall of gargantuan proportions, sits atop the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe. This cascading natural wonder is the main attraction for Victoria Falls National Park and the local town of Victoria Falls to its west
Aberdare National Park is a 311 square mile sanctuary on an isolated volcanic massif which forms part of the eastern wall of the Rift Valley. Part of the larger forest reserve, the Aberdares are covered with a dense rainforest and provide spectacular views over the Rift Valley. Bird life is abundant with more than 200 species.
Vienna has a long memory. Once the capital of the Habsburg Empire, the city still carries signs of its imperial past in its palaces, concert halls, and wide boulevards. Visitors can walk through the Hofburg complex, where emperors once ruled, or tour the opulent rooms of Schönbrunn Palace, which features 1,441 rooms and a maze in its gardens. But Vienna’s many historic buildings now house contemporary art museums, cafés, and institutions that reflect the city’s modern identity.