The Loire Valley stretches along the gentle curves of France’s longest river, a place where riverside towns, historic estates and vineyards have shaped daily life for centuries. This long stretch of landscape was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its remarkable cultural landscape, which includes towns like Tours, Blois, Amboise and Saumur and a tapestry of castles standing beside the river banks.
One of the most beautiful cities in the world, the cobblestone streets line the city center along with colonial Spanish-style architecture. San Miguel de Allende is also known for its thriving art scene, cultural festivals, and some of the most inventive cuisine in Mexico! There is so much to enjoy in this lesser-known gem of North America.
Moraine Lake is a glacial lake in Banff National Park, Alberta, surrounded by the peaks of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Its turquoise water is fed by glacial meltwater, while dense coniferous forest covers the lower slopes around the shoreline. The lake sits in a high mountain basin reached by a winding road from the Lake Louise area. Its setting within the Canadian Rockies places it among alpine landscapes of steep peaks, glaciers, rock faces, and mountain valleys.
Nestled at the base of North America’s tallest peak, Denali, this charming village is a nature lover's dream! Whether you love hiking, fishing, skiing or mountain climbing, you can do it all and more in Talkeetna!
Guam, a vibrant island territory in the Western Pacific, offers travelers more than just sandy beaches and turquoise water. As the largest island in Micronesia, Guam has a dynamic past that’s shaped its present. Evidence of ancient Chamorro settlements can be found at sites like Latte Stone Park, where limestone pillars dating back over a thousand years stand tall.
Photo Credit: Photo by Nathaniel Villaire on Unsplash
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Photo Credit: Photo by Ravi Palwe on Unsplash
Conservatory at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Photo Credit: Photo by James Kobus on Unsplash
Crane on James River
Photo Credit: Photo by Robin Jonathan Deutsch on Unsplash
Located along the James River, Richmond offers historic areas dealing with the early years of America.
Other Popular Destinations in Virginia
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is a coastal city in southeastern Virginia where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Chesapeake Bay and a network of rivers, marshes, and inland waterways. Its long oceanfront includes sandy beaches, dunes, and a busy boardwalk, while the southern part of the city contains broad wetlands, forests, and agricultural land. The city is geographically large and includes several distinct communities beyond the resort district.
Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Virginia offers visitors the unusual opportunity to walk through a fully reconstructed 18th-century city. As the capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg played a key role in early American politics and daily life. Today, Colonial Williamsburg spans over 300 acres and includes historic buildings, working tradespeople, and costumed interpreters who bring the Revolutionary era to life.