Sintra, located just 40 minutes from Lisbon, feels like a world apart. Tucked into the hills of the Serra de Sintra, this town has drawn kings, poets, and explorers for centuries. It was once the summer retreat of Portuguese royalty, who left behind palaces and gardens that seem pulled from a storybook. The most famous, Palácio da Pena, is perched high above the town with bold red and yellow towers that blend Romanticism with Moorish and Gothic styles.
Perth is pleasantly sited on the Swan and Canning rivers, with the cerulean Indian Ocean to the west and the ancient Darling Ranges to the east. It claims to be the sunniest state capital in Australia and the most isolated capital city in the world.
The Olympic Peninsula occupies the far northwest corner of Washington State, where mountains, rainforest, and coastline meet within a relatively compact area.
There's a wealth of things to do and see in Romania with an intensive range of activities and places to visit. You can ski at traditional or purpose-built mountain resorts or laze in the hot sun on the Black Sea beaches comparable to those on the Mediterranean.
León, in northwest Spain, is a city where Roman, medieval, and modern layers coexist. Its historical heart features the León Cathedral with its remarkable stained glass, the Basilica of San Isidoro, and winding streets that hint at centuries of trade and culture.
A visit to the Cook Islands is not complete without seeing the beautiful island of Aitutaki, 220 km north of Rarotonga and less than an hours flight away. Aitutaki is the second most visited of the magical Cook Islands and is recommended as a "must see" extension of any Rarotonga holiday. Day trips are also popular.
Partly volcanic and (in parts) of atoll origin, its highest hill, Maungapu (124 meters) is said to be the top of Rarotonga's Raemaru Peak brought back by victorious Aitutaki warriors. Its large and spectacular lagoon (45 kms round) teems with colored fish of many varieties and many small and charming uninhabited islands (motus), are sprinkled along the fringes of the outer lagoon. This is a place of great natural beauty and tranquility, where crystal clear waters and
swaying palms provide a simple tonic to sooth away the pressures of the outside world.
With the arrival of Reverend John Williams, Aitutaki became the first island to receive Christianity back in 1821. The first Polynesian explorer was Ru from Raiatea in the Society Islands, while Captain William Bligh of "Bounty" fame is credited with being the first European to sight the island in 1789. Aitutaki was also a favorite stop for whalers in the 1950's and in 1888 the British flag was raised and Aitutaki and Rarotonga were included in the boundaries of New Zealand.