Western Cape is a province in southwestern South Africa, extending from the Atlantic coast across the Cape Fold Mountains, inland valleys, and dry Karoo landscapes. Cape Town is its provincial capital and largest city, while towns such as Stellenbosch, George, Hermanus, and Oudtshoorn represent different parts of the region.
Milford Sound, located in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, is often described as one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the country. Carved by glaciers during the Ice Age, the fjord is framed by sheer cliffs that plunge into deep waters, with iconic peaks like Mitre Peak rising dramatically above the sound.
Surat Thani is a city in southern Thailand situated near the mouth of the Tapi River, where the river meets the Gulf of Thailand. It serves as an important commercial and transport center for the surrounding province and is a common starting point for journeys to the islands of the Gulf. The city itself has a more local character than Thailand's major resort destinations, with markets, temples, riverfront areas, and busy streets forming its urban landscape.
Lake Maggiore, straddling the border of northern Italy and southern Switzerland, is the second-largest lake in Italy and one of the most scenically diverse. Surrounded by Alpine peaks and dotted with elegant towns, the lake has attracted visitors for centuries, including literary figures like Stendhal and Ernest Hemingway. The western shore is home to the Borromean Islands, a group of three small islands known for palaces, terraced gardens, and white peacocks that roam freely across the lawns.
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in West Virginia has captured the attention of travelers with its rugged landscape and storied past. Established as a national park in 2020, this area was long known for its coal mining heritage and railroad history. Today, visitors can explore remnants of old mining towns and take in views from historic train trestles, all while experiencing some of the most dramatic river and canyon scenery in the eastern United States.
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Photo Credit: Photo by Buan Stanley on Unsplash
Durban is a big subtropical city in the north-eastern province of KwaZulu/Natal. It has been a major port since the 1850s and is home to the largest concentration of Indian-descended people in the country - Mohandas Gandhi arrived here as an indentured labourer in 1893. Today the city is better known as a holiday-makers' fun parlour with a happening nightlife. The weather (and the water, thanks to the Agulhas current) stays warm year-round drawing the crowds to Durban's long string of surf beaches.
Apart from the sandy strip, 'Durbs' has a fair bit to offer. The impressive city hall houses an art gallery which has a good collection of contemporary South African works and a patchy natural science museum. Also in the city centre, the local history museum has interesting displays on colonial life and the African Art Centre features exciting work by rural artists. The Indian area, to the west of the city centre, has a bustle and vibrancy that's missing from most commercial districts in South Africa. The Victoria Street Market is the area's focus, but other must sees are the Juma Mosque, the largest in the southern hemisphere, and the Alayam Hindu Temple, South Africa's oldest and biggest.
Other Popular Destinations in South Africa
Cape Town
Cape Town, located at the southern tip of South Africa, is one of the world’s most striking coastal cities. Towering over it is Table Mountain, a flat-topped landmark that can be reached by cable car or on foot, offering sweeping views of the city, ocean, and beyond.
Johannesburg
Travel to Johannesburg, the cosmopolitan city at the heart of South Africa, and find some of the country’s most iconic landmarks. Replete with cultural excursions, historical sites, and superb restaurants, Johannesburg has plenty to explore.