Destinations

North America

United States

The United States of America is the most well-known and looked-to country on the planet. For decades it has stood at the pinnacle of achievement in both technological and economical standards, and has garnished a reputation for being the “land of the free” and a place where anyone can come to...

Mexico

Mexico is a Hispanic country in North America. The festive culture celebrates a mix of "Indian" (precolonial) traditions, Spanish customs, and modern American influence. The Spanish language and the Catholic church play large roles in society. A sensuous blend of food, music, and color lend...

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean country that borders Haiti to the west on the island of Hispaniola. It is well-known for its beaches, resorts, and golf courses. Its landscape includes rainforest, savannah, and highlands, as well as Pico Duarte, the Caribbean's tallest peak. In its Zona...

Europe

Latvia

One of the most recent additions to the European Union is Latvia. Much like Bulgaria, and several of the other newest EU members, the country is an undiscovered jewel that is just waiting to be polished. Long hidden behind the veil of Communism, and overshadowed by the presence of the Soviet...

Poland

Poland has a rich, often tragic, history, but has emerged as a great, modern society since the fall of Communism. Highly urbanized, Poland has adopted many Western elements of society, but maintains much of the Eastern culture of its past. Poland spent much of the 1990s developing its economy...

Lithuania

Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuva) is a country in northeastern Europe on the Baltic Sea. Lithuania has been a member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization since 2004. Lithuania is the only Baltic nation with a history of more than 800 years of statehood, and its name was...

Asia

Uzbekistan

Nestled in the heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is a land of intrigue, steeped in a rich tapestry of history, culture, and transformation. With its ancient cities, vibrant traditions, and evolving modernity, Uzbekistan captures the imagination of travelers and scholars alike. This essay...

Singapore

The name "Singapore" is derived from Singa-pura ("City of the Lion"), a commonly used term since the fourteenth century. The main cultural traditions are Malay, Indian, Chinese, and to some extent Western (British). The different communities do not regard themselves as sharing a culture; instead...

Laos

Nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, Laos, officially known as the Lao People's Democratic Republic, beckons with its serene landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and gentle pace of life. Despite its relatively low profile on the global stage, this landlocked nation possesses a captivating...

Latin America

Brazil

Officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, it is the largest country in South America and the world's fifth largest country. Brazil has a coastline of over 7,491 kilometers and wondrous beaches! Brazil has a dense and complex system of rivers, one of the world's most extensive, with eight...

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a small Central American country. This country's history, climates, flora, and fauna are as diverse as its landscapes, which range from rainforests to dry tropical and temperate forests, volcanoes to Caribbean and Pacific beaches, high mountains, and marshy lowlands. Costa Rica is...

Colombia

Colombia is a large South American country. Sitting on the northwestern corner of the continent, the Hispanic culture has a distinct identity. Ranging from rugged mountains to beaches and jungle, the diverse country produces coffee while enjoying relaxed social attitudes, even in the face of...

Africa

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is a West African nation divided into two parts: the mainland and the islands. The country is sandwiched between Cameroon and Gabon. It was the only sub-Saharan country to be a Spanish colony; the only other African colony was Western Sahara. It is the third-largest oil...

South Africa

The world's largest producer of gold, and one of the most influential countries in African politics, South Africa is the southernmost country on the African continent, and is one of the most diverse African countries to be found. With 11 different official languages and a completely diversified...

Nigeria

In the tapestry of nations, Nigeria stands as a vibrant thread, boasting a rich cultural heritage, immense potential, and a resilient spirit. This West African giant is a land of stark contradictions, where progress and setbacks coexist, and the human spirit continually surges forward despite...

Oceania

New Zealand

New Zealand (Mori: Aotearoa) is a nation of breathtaking and varied natural beauty, with jagged mountains, rolling pasture land, steep fiords, pristine trout-filled lakes, roaring rivers, scenic beaches, and active volcanic zones. These islands form a distinct bioregion that is home to...

Australia

As the only country in the world that (arguably) qualifies as a continent, the wide expanses and low population of Australia make it a nature lovers dream. The lush forests of Tasmania, imposing cliffs of Ayers rock and grape-growing district of Barossa all offer inland splendor, but the most...