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.
The Atacama Desert in Chile, the driest non-polar desert on Earth, is a place of extraordinary beauty and otherworldly landscapes. Stretching over 600 miles along the Pacific coast, the Atacama's stark, lunar-like terrain is punctuated by salt flats, active geysers, and rugged canyons. One of the most striking sights is the Valle de la Luna, or Valley of the Moon, where wind-sculpted sand dunes and jagged rock formations create a surreal environment that appears as if it's straight from another
Kapaa, a coastal town on the east side of Kauai, offers a laid-back alternative to Hawaii’s more developed resort areas. Despite its small size, Kapaa is one of the most populated towns on the island, making it a central hub for exploring the Coconut Coast, a stretch of shoreline dotted with towering palms and scenic overlooks.
Freycinet National Park, located on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia, is a natural paradise that entices travelers with its dramatic pink granite peaks, secluded bays, and pristine beaches. The park is home to the iconic Wineglass Bay, often touted as one of the world's most beautiful beaches, with its crescent-shaped shore of soft white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
La Palma (also San Miguel de La Palma) is the fifth of Spain's Canary Islands. This mountainous volcanic island is a natural wonder of tropical vegetation. Its coast is lined by jagged cliffs and plunging ravines, and its beaches are covered with black sand. Thanks to dry climate and the height of its mountains creating excellent observation conditions, La Palma has become the home of some of the world's largest telescopes, seated on the rocky ridge called El Roque de los Muchachos.
The Makena area has one of the most beautiful shorelines in South Maui, it is also home to a world class golf course and some of the major resorts on Maui. Makena is also adjacent to one of the more remote areas of Maui, the La Perouse Bay are, the end of the road for the South side.
Makena also boasts one of the last largest undeveloped beaches on Maui, Makena Beach (Big Beach) and one of the most picturesque beaches on Maui, Little Beach, which is also an unofficial clothing optional beach. There is wonderful diving, kayaking, and snorkeling off any beach in Makena. The major beaches of Makena are Palauea, Makena Landing, Maluaka, Onouli, Little and Big Beach, and the Ahihi-Keanau and LaPerouse reserves.
Most of these beaches do not have hotels around them and are very clean and peaceful. The resorts that are in the area are the Makena Surf and the Maui Prince, the Prince being 'the last resort' on the South side.
Other Popular Destinations in Hawaii
Honolulu, Oahu
Honolulu, the capital of Hawaiʻi and the largest city in the Pacific, blends the energy of a major urban center with the deep roots of Native Hawaiian culture. Set on the island of Oʻahu, it’s home to iconic beaches, royal history, and a rhythm all its own. This sunny capital city is the main portal to the larger Hawaiian archipelago, and the perfect base for exploring Oahu.
Kona, Hawaii
Kona started as King Kamehameha I's government seat, and is now a popular tourist destination with key landmarks like Hulihee Palace, as well as coffee farms, shopping and dining.