Destinations

North America

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...

Jamaica

Jamaica is an island nation in the Caribbean, located to the south of Cuba and to the west of the island of Hispaniola. With 2.8 million people, Jamaica is the third most populous anglophone country in the Americas, after the United States and Canada. It remains a Commonwealth realm with Queen...

Europe

Malta

Malta is an island-state in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy); it is made up of three islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino, with Malta being the largest. Throughout its history, the Maltese archipelago has been strategically important for Mediterranean dominance. Positioned between...

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...

Russia

Russia (Russian: Россия, Rossiya) is the world's largest republic, encompassing more than one-eighth of the Earth's populated land area, Eastern Europe and northern Asia, and eleven time zones. Although geographically mainly in Asia, the majority of Russia's population is located in Europe, and...

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...

Japan

Japan is often difficult to understand for those educated in the west. It can seem full of contradictions. Many Japanese corporations dominate their industries, yet if you read the financial news it seems like Japan is practically bankrupt. Cities are as modern and high tech as anywhere else,...

Turkey

Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye) is a bi-continental republic: while the majority of the country is geographically in Asia, Eastern Thrace is part of Europe, and many Turks identify as European. Travelers can choose from a wide range of destinations in Turkey, including the dome-and-minaret-filled...

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...

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...

Argentina

Argentina is a large nation in South America's south. It has a wide range of climates and habitats, including jungles in the north, vast grass plains in the middle, and frozen mountains in the south. Furthermore, Argentina claims the Falkland Islands, a United Kingdom Overseas Territory, as the...

Africa

Egypt

Arguably one of the most talked-about and visited countries in the world when it comes to tourists, Egypt stands out as the birthplace of one of the earliest civilizations. Today the country is known for her many pyramids, the Sphinx, the Nile River, and for the various mummies, temples, and...

Cape Verde

Cape Verde is a West African republic. It is a group of Atlantic Ocean islands located west of Senegal. Cabo Verde, located 311 miles (500 kilometers) west of Senegal, is a breathtaking island chain with a captivating mix of mountains, beaches, and quiet seaside villages. On Santo Anto, craggy...

Uganda

Nestled in the heart of East Africa, Uganda is a land that echoes with the melodies of its diverse cultures, resonates with stories of resilience, and radiates the promise of untapped potential. From its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity to its historical complexities and contemporary...

Oceania

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...

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...