A tributary of the Rhine, the Moselle River flows through France, Luxembourg and Germany. The Moselle also lends its name to a region of France, a valley which it bisects, and a wine produced along its banks.
Important both historically and economically, the beachside city of La Serena is one of Chile's oldest post-Columbian cities. The region's silver, copper and agriculture were so important that the city had its own mint. Today, La Serena maintains a colonial air, although it is threatening Viña del Mar's supremacy as premier beach resort. Apart from a string of beautiful beaches, attractions include a handful of museums and a number of nearby quaint villages and vineyards.
Taghazout is a small coastal village on Morocco’s Atlantic shore, once a quiet fishing settlement that has grown into a global surf destination without fully shedding its roots. Life here still follows the rhythms of the sea, with boats pulled onto the sand and daily routines shaped by tides and weather. Berber culture underpins the village’s identity, visible in local customs, food, and the understated pace that sets Taghazout apart from Morocco’s larger resort towns.
Ballarat is a regional city in central Victoria, known for its goldfields heritage, grand streetscapes, gardens, and strong arts scene. Located about 90 minutes from Melbourne by road or rail, it combines a historic city centre with lakes, parks, and surrounding rural landscapes. Sturt Street forms the main civic spine, lined with substantial nineteenth-century buildings, shops, cafés, and public spaces.
Medan is the capital of north Sumatra and the third largest city in Indonesia. It is a huge, sprawling city and a popular entry/exit point for travellers. The solid Dutch buildings of the affluent older suburbs inspire images of bloated bureaucrats and burghers from the colonial era, while jerry-built lean-tos house the bulk of its population.