In the heart of South America, Ecuador offers a compact yet astonishingly diverse experience for travelers. From the cobbled streets of Quito’s historic center to the vibrant Afro-Ecuadorian rhythms of Esmeraldas, the country pulses with stories waiting to be discovered. Just a short drive away, visitors can stand on the equator line at the “Mitad del Mundo” and participate in engaging experiments that demonstrate the planet’s gravitational quirks.
Uxmal, located about 80 kilometers south of Mérida in the Puuc region of Yucatán, is one of the most architecturally refined ancient Maya cities. Unlike other major Maya sites built with steep pyramids and narrow passageways, Uxmal is known for its smooth limestone structures, wide plazas, and intricate stone mosaics. One unique experience available to visitors is the nightly light and sound show, which uses colored projections to highlight carvings and narrate local legends and Maya cosmology.
Ontario is Canada's most densely populated province, harboring such cosmopolitan cities as Toronto and Ottawa. Millions of tourists come into Ontario every year, and industry and farming are the chief industries along the Great Lakes.
Sinaloa, in Northwest Mexico, comprises 18 municipalities, and Culiacán Rosales serves as its capital. It is located opposite Baja California Sur, across the Gulf of California.
Iquique, perched between the Pacific Ocean and the sweeping sand dunes of the Atacama Desert, offers more than just sun and surf. This coastal city in northern Chile is a duty-free port, drawing visitors with its unique blend of high-end shopping, historic districts, and adrenaline-filled adventures. Whether wandering along the palm-lined Baquedano Boulevard or gliding down the towering sand dunes on a sandboard, Iquique surprises at every turn.
Located on the banks of the Danube, Spitz an der Donau is a charming market town in Austria's Wachau valley. Occupied since Celtic times, Spitz offers spectacular views of the Danube valley. Picturesque Renaissance and Baroque houses line quaint cobblestone streets at the foot of Tausendeimerberg (the "Hill of a Thousand Buckets), so named for its abundant vineyards. To the south, towering above Spitz is the famous fortress of Hinterhaus Castle, the thousand-year-old ruins of which are in fine condition and only a short hike away. History buffs will also want to visit the late Gothic church, St. Mauritius, which houses the wooden Apostles statues that date back to 1380, and a high altarpiece painting by Austrian artist Kremser Schmidt.