Ely, Minnesota, sits on the edge of the Superior National Forest in the state’s Northwoods, where boreal forest, rocky terrain, and interconnected lakes define the landscape. The community is best known as a major gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which contains more than one million acres of protected forest and waterways along the Canadian border. Ely itself has a compact downtown with independent shops, galleries, restaurants, and outfitters serving wilderness travelers.
Hershey is a community in central Pennsylvania best known for its long association with chocolate production and the Hershey Company. Located east of Harrisburg in the rolling landscape of the Susquehanna Valley, it combines a planned town center with parks, gardens, attractions, and residential neighborhoods. The community was developed around the chocolate industry, and that connection remains visible throughout the area.
Marathon, located near the center of the Florida Keys, is a vibrant island city known for its fishing, boating, and tropical charm. Nestled between Key Largo and Big Pine Key, Marathon is surrounded by clear waters, coral reefs, and sandy beaches, making it a prime destination for water-based recreation.
Vagharshapat, also known as Etchmiadzin, is a city in Armenia's Armavir Province, west of Yerevan and near the base of Mount Aragats. It is one of the country's most important religious and cultural centers and is often described as the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The city is surrounded by fertile agricultural land, with orchards, vineyards, and fields forming part of the landscape.
Panama is a country shaped by its geography and defined by its role in global history. The Panama Canal remains its most iconic feature as a 50-mile engineering marvel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Visitors can watch ships pass through the Miraflores Locks from a dedicated observation deck or explore the interactive museum that explains how the canal changed international trade forever.
Photo Credit: Image by Leonhard Niederwimmer from Pixabay
Frankfurt Christmas Market
Photo Credit: Image by Chris Spencer-Payne from Pixabay
Christmas Market
Photo Credit: Photo by cmophoto.net on Unsplash
Located in central Germany, Frankfurt is a vibrant cultural and economic hub nestled on the Main River. Museums and architectural gems abound in Frankfurt, from the Goethe House, to the picturesque timber houses of Römerberg town square, to the Museumsufer, a collection of museums lining the banks of the Main.
Other Popular Destinations in Germany
Passau
Passau sits on the confluence of the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz, so it is fitting that it is known as "the Dreiflüssestadt", which means the “City of Three Rivers.” The historical center offers a cathedral, churches and museums to explore, and the embankment is perfect for a romantic stroll.
Regensburg
Regensburg, Germany’s medieval gem, will transport you to a bygone era. The site of both Celtic and Roman settlements, Regensburg flourished in the Middle Ages.