Quetzaltenango, often called Xela by locals, is Guatemala’s second-largest city and a hub of indigenous culture, colonial history, and highland landscapes. Surrounded by volcanoes, including the towering Santa María, the city sits at over 7,600 feet above sea level, giving it a crisp mountain climate that contrasts with the country’s tropical lowlands.
Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a community-based wildlife reserve in Botswana, located near the town of Serowe in the central part of the country. Established to protect endangered rhinoceros populations, the sanctuary covers a broad area of savanna and woodland, centered around natural water sources that attract a range of animals.
The bay’s environment supports a variety of Antarctic wildlife. Gentoo penguins breed around the shoreline, while skuas and other seabirds can be seen near the colony. Weddell seals and Antarctic fur seals may also occur in the area, particularly around beaches and sea ice. Mount Flora and the surrounding slopes provide a striking backdrop, with exposed rock contrasting against snowfields and glaciers.
Denver, Colorado, known as the “Mile High City” for its elevation exactly 5,280 feet above sea level, offers far more than a mountain backdrop. It’s a city where old saloons, Victorian homes, and vintage brick warehouses sit beside sleek skyscrapers and buzzing food halls. While the nearby Rocky Mountains are visible from almost anywhere in the city, places like City Park and Washington Park offer wide green spaces right in town.
Known as "The City with Soul," Jackson is a popular hub for a variety of music genres, including jazz, gospel, and blues music. Highlights include the Jackson Zoo, the Mississippi Museum of Art, and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.
The car-less village of Murren is surrounded by the mountain peaks of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, all soaring over 13,000 feet.
Other Popular Destinations in Switzerland
Lucerne
Behold beautiful Lucerne! This German-speaking area of central Switzerland on Lake Lucerne is a truly spectacular locale. Surrounded by mountains and notable for its famous Chapel Bridge, this idyllic and musical Swiss locale is wonderful any time of year.
Basel
Basel is the global center of the pharmaceutical industry, but most travelers visit for the world-famous ART Basel festival, as well as the numerous art galleries, iconic architecture and museums.