Tucked along the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, Benin offers a vibrant blend of traditions, rich history, and colorful daily life that surprises and delights travelers at every turn. The country is the birthplace of Vodun (commonly known as Voodoo), a spiritual tradition still practiced widely and celebrated each January 10th with processions, drums, and dance in the city of Ouidah.
Springfield is the capital of Illinois and a city closely associated with Abraham Lincoln, whose home, law practice, and political career were based there before he became president. Located in the central part of the state, Springfield sits amid the prairie landscape of the Sangamon River Valley.
Morro Bay is a coastal city on California’s Central Coast, situated around a natural harbor between San Luis Obispo and the Pacific Ocean. Its most recognizable landmark is Morro Rock, a large volcanic plug rising at the entrance to the bay. The city’s waterfront includes fishing docks, marinas, beaches, and a working harbor, while wetlands and dunes surround parts of the shoreline.
Akumal is THE perfect place in the area to go snorkeling. You might even see a happy sea turtle in its natural habitat since this beach is a sanctuary.
Raja Ampat is an archipelago in Southwest Papua, Indonesia, centered around the four major islands of Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Misool. More than 1,500 smaller islands, cays, and reefs surround these larger islands, creating a landscape of forested hills, limestone formations, sheltered bays, and clear tropical waters.
Hanalei is located on the North central coast of Kauai Island. Near the head of Hanalei Bay, the village is in scenic and fertile Hanalei or Hanohano Valley, one of the states few rice producing regions.
Missionaries arrived at the site in 1834, and Mission Home was built and furnished with materials brought aboard Cape Horn. The Waioli Mission, now used as a community center, combines the strakness of a New England clapboard house with Hawaiian details such as lanais, wide eaves, and long slopping roof lines.
Lumahai Beach, located on the west, is a noted beauty spot.
Other Popular Destinations in Hawaii
Honolulu, Oahu
Honolulu, the capital of Hawaiʻi and the largest city in the Pacific, blends the energy of a major urban center with the deep roots of Native Hawaiian culture. Set on the island of Oʻahu, it’s home to iconic beaches, royal history, and a rhythm all its own. This sunny capital city is the main portal to the larger Hawaiian archipelago, and the perfect base for exploring Oahu.
Kona, Hawaii
Kona started as King Kamehameha I's government seat, and is now a popular tourist destination with key landmarks like Hulihee Palace, as well as coffee farms, shopping and dining.