Germany

Iceland

Norway

United States

Mauritius

Thailand

Italy

Spain

China

United Kingdom

Namibia

France

Ethiopia

Portugal

Mexico

The Aachen Cathedral, also known as the Imperial Cathedral, is a significant historical and architectural monument located in Aachen, Germany. It was built in the 8th century as the palace chapel of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor, and was expanded over the centuries. The cathedral is considered one of the most important examples of early medieval architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is renowned for its impressive Carolingian architecture and its beautiful interior, which features a blend of Roman, Byzantine, and Germanic styles. The cathedral houses Charlemagne's Palatine Chapel, which is a masterpiece of early medieval architecture and one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in the world. The Aachen Cathedral is also home to several important religious relics, including the original crucifix of Charlemagne and the Holy Robe, which is believed to be the seamless garment of Jesus.

Aachen Cathedral

Godafoss Waterfall is a waterfall located in the northern part of Iceland in the Bárðardalur valley. It is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland and one of the most popular tourist attractions. The waterfall got its name from the Icelandic word "Godi" which means chieftain and "foss" which means waterfall. The waterfall is about 12 meters high and 30 meters wide and is located on the Skjálfandafljót River.

Godafoss waterfall

Urnes Stave Church is a historic wooden church located in the village of Urnes, in the municipality of Luster, in western Norway. It is considered one of the best examples of stave church architecture, a traditional Scandinavian building style that uses wooden posts (staves) to support the structure. The church is believed to have been built in the 12th century and is the oldest stave church in Norway that is still in use.

Urnes Stave Church has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 due to its exceptional architectural and cultural significance. The church is known for its intricate carvings, including figures of dragons and other mythical creatures, as well as its fine woodwork. It is also an important example of the fusion of Christian and pre-Christian beliefs in Norway during the medieval period, as many of the carvings are thought to have pagan roots.

Urnes Stave church

Cannon Beach is a small coastal town located in Oregon, United States, on the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, with a wide, sandy beach and towering sea stacks, including Haystack Rock, which is one of the most iconic landmarks on the Oregon coast.

Cannon Beach is a popular destination for beach-goers, hikers, and nature lovers, offering a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking in the nearby Ecola State Park, bird watching, and beachcombing. The town is also home to a vibrant arts community, with several galleries, studios, and shops showcasing local artists and artisans.

Cannon beach

Le Morne Brabant is a mountain located in the southwestern part of the island of Mauritius. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered a symbol of slavery and resistance. The mountain is associated with the history of slavery in Mauritius and has a special significance for the island's people, especially the Creole population.

According to local legends, the mountain was a place of refuge for escaped slaves during the 18th and 19th centuries. The slaves would hide in the caves and crevices of the mountain to escape capture by the French and British colonial authorities. This made the mountain an important symbol of freedom and resistance for the enslaved population.

Le Morne Brabant is also known for its stunning natural beauty and is a popular tourist destination. The mountain is surrounded by lush vegetation and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

In 2008, Le Morne Brabant was officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural, historical, and natural significance. The designation recognizes the mountain as an important symbol of resistance and freedom, and acknowledges the important role it played in the history of slavery in Mauritius.

Le Morne Brabant

The Griffith Observatory is a world-famous observatory located in Los Angeles, California, United States. It was built in 1935 and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Southern California, attracting over 1 million visitors each year.

The observatory is a center for public education and outreach, with a range of exhibits, displays, and events aimed at promoting understanding of the universe and our place within it. Visitors can view the night sky through telescopes, see live demonstrations in the planetarium, and explore the many interactive exhibits, including a Foucault pendulum, a Tesla coil, and more.

The Griffith Observatory is also home to the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater, which showcases a variety of live and multimedia shows, including a fulldome planetarium show that takes visitors on a tour of the universe.

Griffith Observatory

The Phi Phi Islands are a group of islands located in the Andaman Sea of Thailand. They are famous for their stunning scenery, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant coral reefs. The two main islands in the group, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh, are both popular tourist destinations, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Phi Phi Don is the largest island and is home to several villages and a bustling nightlife scene. The island is also a popular hub for water activities, including snorkeling, diving, and kayaking, as well as island-hopping tours.

Phi Phi Leh is a smaller, uninhabited island that is renowned for its stunning natural beauty. The island is surrounded by towering cliffs, pristine beaches, and turquoise waters, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and beach-goers.

Visitors to the Phi Phi Islands can take ferries from the nearby city of Phuket, or from other destinations in southern Thailand. There are also a number of tour operators who offer day trips or multi-day excursions to the islands, which can include snorkeling, kayaking, and other activities.

The Phi Phi Islands are a protected marine park, and there are strict regulations in place to ensure the preservation of their natural beauty and unique ecosystem. Despite this, the islands remain a popular destination for tourists, and are considered one of the most picturesque spots in Thailand.

Phi Phi Islands

Sorrento is a beautiful coastal town located in the region of Campania in southern Italy. Known for its stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the surrounding countryside, Sorrento is a popular tourist destination and a great base for exploring the nearby Amalfi Coast.

One of the main attractions of Sorrento is its picturesque old town, which is filled with narrow streets, charming piazzas, and traditional buildings. Visitors can wander the old town, admiring the colorful homes and the lush greenery that surrounds them.

Another popular attraction in Sorrento is the Piazza Tasso, which is the main square in the town. Here, visitors can find a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes, as well as a bustling atmosphere and beautiful views of the sea.

Sorrento is also known for its lemon groves, which produce some of the best lemons in the world. Visitors can tour the lemon groves, learn about the lemon-growing process, and sample some of the delicious lemon-based products that are produced in the area.

Sorrento

The Sagrada Familia is a large basilica located in Barcelona, Spain. It is considered one of the most important architectural works of the 20th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, the construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882 and continues to this day, with no set completion date.

The church is known for its highly decorative facades, which feature a mix of naturalistic and abstract forms. The Nativity Facade, which faces the east, is considered one of Gaudi's masterpieces, while the Glory Facade, facing west, was completed in 2010 and features intricate sculptures and stained glass windows.

Inside the church, visitors can admire the stunning stained glass windows, which allow light to filter into the nave and highlight the intricately carved stone columns. The central nave is topped by a magnificent starry sky, which is supported by four towering pillars.

The Sagrada Familia is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Barcelona, attracting millions of visitors each year. It is a symbol of the city and a testament to Gaudi's artistic vision and innovative approach to architecture.

Sagrada Familia

Varenna is a picturesque village located on the eastern shore of Lake Como, Italy. It is known for its charming narrow streets, beautiful gardens, and historic buildings. The main attraction of Varenna is the Villa Monastero, a former monastery that has been transformed into a museum and botanical garden. Visitors can explore the villa's beautiful gardens, enjoy stunning views of Lake Como, and learn about the history of the area. Varenna is also known for its beaches, including Fiumelatte, which is one of the shortest rivers in the world and flows into the lake. The town is a popular destination for tourists who want to escape the busy city life and enjoy the scenic beauty and peaceful atmosphere of Lake Como.

Varenna

The Honghe Hani Rice Terraces are a breathtaking natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in southern Yunnan province, China. The terraces were built over a period of 1,300 years by the Hani ethnic group and have been passed down through generations. The terraces are a beautiful and intricate system of rice paddies that are carved into the hillsides and step down in tiers, creating a stunning landscape that spans over 1,000 square kilometers.

The terraces are carefully irrigated and maintained, providing a source of food and income for the Hani people. They also play an important role in preserving biodiversity and are home to many different species of plants and animals. The terraces are a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world to admire the beauty of this unique agricultural system.

Honghe Hanir rice terraces

The University of Cambridge is a world-renowned research institution located in the city of Cambridge, England. It was founded in 1209 and is one of the oldest universities in the world. It has a rich history and has produced many notable alumni, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Stephen Hawking.

The University of Cambridge is made up of 31 colleges, each with its own unique history, traditions, and character. The colleges are responsible for providing accommodation, support, and pastoral care to students, and they form the heart of the University's community.

Cambridge is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world and is known for its high academic standards, excellent research facilities, and commitment to innovation. It has a reputation for producing Nobel Prize winners, Fields Medal recipients, and other highly influential scholars and scientists.

University of Cambridge

Isola Bella is a small island located in Lake Maggiore, Italy. It is famous for its stunning baroque style palace, the Palazzo Borromeo, built in the 17th century. The palace features a beautiful terraced garden filled with plants, flowers and ornate fountains. In addition to the palace, the island also has a small church dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo. The island is accessible by boat from Stresa and Baveno on the mainland and is a popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of visitors every year.

Isola Bella

The Fish River Canyon is a geological wonder located in Namibia, southern Africa. The canyon, which is around 160 kilometers long and up to 27 kilometers wide, was created by the erosive force of the Fish River over a period of hundreds of thousands of years. The walls of the canyon are up to 550 meters high in some places, and they provide a unique habitat for various species of plants and animals that are adapted to the harsh environment.

The Fish River Canyon is a popular tourist destination, and many visitors come to hike along the rim of the canyon or to drive through the surrounding landscape. The most popular time to visit is during the dry season, from April to October, when the temperatures are cooler and the water level in the river is at its lowest.

The Fish River Canyon is also an important site for geologists and historians, as it provides valuable insights into the geological history of southern Africa and the formation of the continent's landscapes. The rock formations and other geological features in the canyon have been dated to more than 500 million years old, and they provide evidence of ancient geological processes that have shaped the region over time.

Fish River Canyon

Château de Chenonceau is a historic French chateau located in the Loire Valley, in the Indre-et-Loire region of France. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful châteaux in France and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. The chateau was built in the 16th century and is famous for its combination of Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles, as well as its extensive gardens. It is often referred to as the "Ladies' Chateau" because of the many influential women who lived there over the years, including Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Today, visitors can tour the château, gardens, and its many art and historical exhibits.

Chateau de Chenonceau

Simien Mountains National Park, located in northern Ethiopia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic landscapes and rich biodiversity. The park is home to the Ethiopian wolf, one of the world's rarest canids, as well as a variety of primates, antelopes, and other wildlife.

The Simien Mountains themselves are a spectacular sight, with jagged peaks reaching up to 4,550 meters (14,928 feet) and deep valleys cutting through the landscape. The park offers a variety of scenic hikes, including a trek to the summit of Ras Dashan, the highest peak in the range. Along the way, visitors can admire the sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, as well as the park's rich vegetation, which ranges from lush forests to high-altitude moorlands.

In addition to its natural beauty, Simien Mountains National Park is also significant for its cultural heritage. The park is home to several ancient villages and religious sites, as well as the Gelada baboons, which are considered sacred by the local people.

Visitors to Simien Mountains National Park can stay in comfortable lodges or camp at designated campsites, and guided treks and tours are available to help visitors make the most of their experience. Whether you're a nature lover, a hiker, or simply looking for a unique and scenic destination, the Simien Mountains National Park is an unforgettable destination in Ethiopia.

Simien Mountains National Park

Perched dramatically on a cliff high above the Atlantic Ocean, the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo (Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo), better known as the Fort of Nazaré, is one of the most iconic landmarks on Portugal’s western coast. Overlooking the Praia do Norte (North Beach), this historic fortress has become world-famous as the viewpoint for Nazaré’s record-breaking giant waves—some of the largest ever surfed on the planet.
A blend of history, maritime heritage, and adrenaline-filled surf culture, the fort perfectly symbolizes Nazaré’s evolution from a sleepy fishing village to a global surfing hotspot.

The Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo was originally built in 1577, during the reign of King Sebastião I, to defend the coast from pirates and invaders. It was dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, considered a protector of sailors.
In the 18th century, the fort was expanded to include watchtowers, cannons, and defensive walls, serving as a crucial lookout over the Atlantic. By the 20th century, its military function had faded—but its commanding location remained unmatched.
Today, the fort houses a museum and surf interpretation center, preserving both the site’s historical legacy and its new identity as a mecca for big-wave surfing.

Interesting Facts
- The fort stands on Promontório do Sítio da Nazaré, a headland offering sweeping views of the town, beaches, and cliffs.
- Just offshore lies the Nazaré Canyon, a submarine gorge 5,000 meters deep, responsible for amplifying ocean swells into the giant waves that crash at Praia do Norte—some exceeding 30 meters (100 feet) in height.
- In 2011, surfer Garrett McNamara rode a 78-foot (23.8 m) wave here, putting Nazaré on the world surfing map.
- The surf museum inside the fort features surfboards and memorabilia from legendary surfers who have conquered Nazaré’s waves.
- The small chapel inside the fort, dedicated to Saint Michael, still stands as a symbol of protection for fishermen and surfers alike.
- The fort’s red-roofed lighthouse (Farol de Nazaré) is one of Portugal’s most photographed coastal icons.

Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: Between October and March, when the big-wave season brings surfers from around the world. Clear summer days also offer incredible ocean views.
- Getting There: The fort is located at the end of the Sítio cliff, about a 15-minute walk from the upper Nazaré viewpoint (Miradouro do Suberco). It’s accessible by foot, car, or tuk-tuk.
- What to Bring: A camera with a zoom lens for wave photography, comfortable shoes, and a jacket—the cliffside wind can be strong.
- Nearby Attractions:
Praia do Norte – The world-famous surfing beach below the fort.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré – A pilgrimage site with deep religious history.
Nazaré Funicular – A scenic ride connecting the lower town to the upper cliffs.
Nazaré Town Center – Known for its seaside restaurants and women in traditional seven-skirt dresses.
- Photography Tip: The best wave and lighthouse shots are from the cliffside platform next to the fort or from the beach below for a dramatic upward angle.

Fort of Nazare

Uxmal is an ancient Maya city located in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. It is known for its well-preserved ruins and stunning architecture, including towering pyramids, grand plazas, and elaborate palaces.

Uxmal was a major political and cultural center of the Maya civilization, with a history that dates back to the 5th century AD. The city reached its peak of power and prosperity in the 9th century, with a complex system of government, a thriving cultural scene, and a bustling marketplace.

Uxmal

The South China Karst is a unique and scenic geographical formation located in the southern part of China. It encompasses a large area of karst landscapes, including towering peaks, deep valleys, and large sinkholes, as well as numerous caves, rivers, and underground streams. The South China Karst is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its outstanding beauty and geological significance.

The South China Karst is formed by the erosion of limestone and dolomite rock over millions of years, resulting in the formation of unique landscapes such as towering cliffs, massive sinkholes, and deep valleys. The area is known for its impressive caves, including the Swallow Cave, which is one of the largest cave systems in the world, and the Wind Cave, which is famous for its unique rock formations and underground rivers.

The South China Karst is also home to a diverse array of plant and animal life, including many species that are found nowhere else in the world. The region is considered an important habitat for many endangered species, including the Chinese alligator, the Chinese giant salamander, and the South China tiger.

South China Karst  (Li river)

Praia da Ursa is a popular beach located in Sintra, Portugal. It is known for its unique rock formations and crystal clear waters, making it a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing. The beach is accessible through a steep hike down a series of steps, but the breathtaking views and secluded atmosphere make it well worth the effort. It is a popular destination for surfers due to its strong waves and is also a great spot for observing wildlife, including various species of birds and marine life. Praia da Ursa is a protected area and the conservation of the natural environment is important to the local community. Visitors are asked to respect the natural beauty of the area by keeping it clean and avoiding activities that could harm the environment.