Valbona is a mountain valley in northern Albania, located within the Albanian Alps and surrounded by steep limestone peaks, forested slopes, and open meadows. The valley forms part of Valbona Valley National Park and follows the course of the Valbona River through a long, narrow landscape. Small villages and scattered guesthouses occupy sections of the valley, where traditional stone and wood buildings stand among farms and mountain vegetation.
Argentina shares half of this island territory in the South Atlantic Ocean with Chile. It's a place of oil derricks, sheep, glaciers, wind and waterways. Ushuaia and Río Grande are the two main towns; awesome scenery, wild walks and fishing are the island's main attractions. Argentina's only coastal national park comprises rivers, lakes, forests and glaciers, with great trekking and wildlife-spotting opportunities.
Devil’s Bridge National Park, located on the rugged Atlantic coast of Antigua, is one of the island’s most dramatic natural landmarks. The park is named after its striking limestone arch, carved over centuries by relentless waves and wind.
Stretching across central Oman, the Wahiba Sands offer a dramatic desert landscape of rolling dunes that shift in color with the changing light. This vast sea of sand is home to towering ridges and open plains, creating an otherworldly backdrop for exploration.
Wadi Rum, often called the “Valley of the Moon,” is a desert landscape in southern Jordan renowned for its dramatic sandstone mountains, sweeping red sand dunes, and ancient history carved into the rock. Its vast, otherworldly scenery has made it both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a backdrop for films set on distant planets.
Photo Credit: Photo by Mukhwinder Singh on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Uran Wang on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by anja. on Unsplash
Tauranga, New Zealand, lies southeast of Auckland and is an adventure-lover's paradise. Originally settled by the Māori peoples, this vibrant city is a popular destination for hiking, kayaking, biking, golfing, and everything active. Hike up Mount Maunganui for stunning panoramic views of the city below, then hit nearby Mount Maunganui Beach to soak up the sun or play in the sand. Head to the Lake McLaren canyons for a unique nighttime kayaking tour, where you'll catch a glimpse of luminescent glowworms. Visit Waimarino Water & Adventure Park at Wairoa River for a variety of thrilling amusements, including a massive water slide and human catapult, and sporty activities like beach volleyball, paddle boarding, and rock climbing. Explore Tauranga and find your inner thrill-seeker!
Other Popular Destinations in New Zealand
Auckland
A veritable paradise on Earth, Auckland combines the best of both worlds – a thrilling urban metropolis surrounded by striking natural areas, sparkling blue water, and colorful wildlife. New Zealand’s cultural and recreational hub, beautiful Auckland has something for everyone.
Queenstown
This beautiful resort town has a little something for everyone! Whether you are into skiing and snowboarding, jet boating, whitewater rafting, bungy jumping, or mountain biking there is no end to the year around adventure sports you can take advantage of. If you love wine, Queenstown lies close to the center of a small wine producing region, including The Two Paddocks vineyard which is owned by actor Sam Neill.