On coastal Iceland, the globe's northernmost capital, Reykjavík, invites visitors to discover its unique charms. Iceland is rife with natural wonders: geysers, geothermic spas, waterfalls and the spectacular Northern Lights. Reykjavik, dating back to 870 AD, offers world-class museums, restaurants, shopping and nightlife.
Mdina is a fortified hilltop city in central Malta, known as the Silent City for its quiet streets and enclosed historic character. The former capital occupies a limestone plateau above the surrounding countryside, with massive walls, narrow lanes, small squares, and honey-colored buildings creating a compact urban landscape. The main entrance leads toward Villegaignon Street and the center of the old city, where St Paul’s Cathedral dominates Cathedral Square.
Tabuk is a city in northwestern Saudi Arabia and the capital of Tabuk Province, positioned between the Hejaz Mountains and the desert landscapes of the north. The city developed around an oasis and remains an important agricultural center, with palm groves and cultivated areas contrasting with the surrounding dry terrain.
Sun Peaks is a mountain village in British Columbia, Canada, located northeast of Kamloops in the interior region of the province. The community is built around Sun Peaks Resort, one of Canada’s largest ski destinations, but the area also functions as a year-round alpine village with hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and access to surrounding forests.
Nuku Hiva is the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, a place where scale and isolation shape both history and daily life. Long before European contact, the island supported complex Marquesan societies known for stone architecture, tattoo traditions, and ceremonial sites, many of which remain scattered across its valleys.
Photo Credit: Photo by David Stanley from Wikimedia
Besides being one of the largest and most remote of the Galapagos Islands, Fernandina Island is home to the area's most active volcano. It also boasts the most pristine ecosystem; unlike other islands in the Galapagos, Fernandina has thus far avoided the introduction of any non-native mammal species.
Relatively little vegetation is found here, thanks to the volcanic activity, but endemic wildlife is abundant. Large populations of marine iguanas and flightless cormorants inhabit the island, as well as sea lions, penguins, pelicans, and more.
Visitors to Fernandina Island have just two destinations to choose from: Punta Espinoza and Punta Mangle. The former is more popular, offering fascinating tidal pools and a short hike ideal for viewing mangroves and lava formations, while the latter is an excellent site for snorkeling or diving.
Other Popular Destinations in Ecuador
Galapagos Islands
Off the coast of Ecuador, the iconic and biodiverse Galápagos Islands, made famous by Charles Darwin’s nineteenth-century research expeditions on HMS Beagle, beckon you. This glittering archipelago, surrounded by vivid turquoise waves, abounds with stunning beaches and spectacular wildlife, perfect for the adventurous traveler.
Guayaquil
Guayaquil, Ecuador, is a vibrant port city and a frequent starting point for cruises to the Galapagos Islands.