Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is one of Africa’s most vibrant and unpredictable cities. Sprawling along the banks of the Congo River, it’s the third-largest city on the continent and pulses with music, art, and personality at every turn. Across the river lies Brazzaville, making Kinshasa part of the only pair of national capitals facing each other across a single waterway.
Plettenberg Bay is the jewel of The Garden Route. It's more than a village, less than a town. Plettenberg Bay is tranquil and charming, hospitable and rather special. Originally christened "Bahia Formosa" (beautiful bay) by early Portuguese explorers, Plettenberg Bay can now be accessed by first class national roads, by sea or by scheduled air flights.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines is a Caribbean nation that feels both adventurous and serene, a chain of lush islands and tiny cays scattered across turquoise waters. The main island of St. Vincent is dominated by volcanic landscapes, including the active La Soufrière volcano, whose slopes are covered in rainforest and dotted with waterfalls.
Gibraltar is located in southern tip of Spain, on a tiny peninsula. It is governed by the British and named after the Rock of Gibraltar, which is located on its east side. The territory is mainly used as a shipping port, and a port-of-call for cruise ships.
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.
Located 75 miles south of San Francisco, Santa Cruz is a vibrant and laidback city on the central coast of California. Settled by Spanish Missionaries in the late 18th century, Santa Cruz has become a coastal paradise for surfers, students, and lovers of nature. Nestled between Wilder Ranch State Park and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, University of California, Santa Cruz, is the city’s leading research institution. Towering trees line the campus’s many pathways, and it’s not uncommon to see deer and other wildlife roaming in nearby natural areas.
Santa Cruz has something for everyone, making it a crucial stop for those visiting California’s popular Bay Area. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Wharf provide stunning views of Monterey Bay and offer a plethora of vintage-style amusements, including a wooden roller coaster, the historic Looff Carousel, and a variety of arcade games ideal for the entire family. Steamer Lane, Pleasure Point, and the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, housed in a picturesque lighthouse, beckon surfers and surfing enthusiasts year-round to the glittering turquoise waves. Kayaks, paddleboards, and boats are easily available for those eager to fish and watch migrating whales emerging from the bay. Venture just beyond the city to catch a glimpse of the legendary redwood forests in Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Other Popular Destinations in California
San Francisco
San Francisco offers something for everyone. Whether it's exploring world-famous landmarks, discovering hidden gems in its neighborhoods, or enjoying the coastal breeze by the bay, this vibrant city promises a memorable experience for all who visit.
Los Angeles
Sunshine, cars, celebrities... these are just a few of the things that define Los Angeles. But as any visitor to this expansive Southern California city will tell you, it's a place with seemingly infinite possibilities. There's downtown, with Crypto.com Arena, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Olvera Street. There's Hollywood, with its Walk of Fame, maps to the stars' homes and palm-tree lined boulevards. There's Santa Monica, with its pier, shopping and ocean breezes.