Glendalough, located in County Wicklow, is one of Ireland’s most historically significant and visually striking valleys. It’s best known for its early medieval monastic site, founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. The round tower, cathedral ruins, and stone churches that remain today are surrounded by forests, lakes, and mountain trails, creating a setting that feels both ancient and untouched.
Monemvasia, Greece, is a captivating destination that enchants visitors with its blend of medieval charm and stunning natural beauty. Perched on a small island off the coast of the Peloponnese, this fortified town, often referred to as the "Gibraltar of the East," is renowned for its well-preserved Byzantine architecture and labyrinthine streets.
The Lemaire Channel is a spectacular sight with enormous sheer cliffs falling straight into the sea. It's a narrow channel flanked by the Antarctic Peninsula on one side and Booth Island on the other. So photogenic is the channel that it's nicknamed 'Kodak Gap', and it's only once you're well within it that a way through is visible.
Cagliari is Sardinia's capital and largest city. Several civilizations have left their imprint here architecturally and culturally. Must-sees include the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Cagliari, with its Roman and Byzantine treasures, as well as Castello, a medieval quarter situated on a hill above the city. The city is also known for its food and vibrant nightlife.
Soufriere sits on the southwest coast of St. Lucia, framed by steep hills and the twin Pitons that rise sharply from the sea. Once the island’s original capital, the town carries deep historical roots tied to colonial rivalries and the development of plantation culture.
Les Saintes (also known as Iles des Saintes) are perfect for the kind of traveler who relishes unspoiled tropical beauty and the serenity that comes from doing next to nothing on a vacation, but doing it à la française. While Guadeloupe's bustling epicenter, Pointe-à-Pitre, is just a l5-minute plane hop away, it seems continents apart from the eight pristine volcanic dots that comprise Les Saintes. There are about 3,000 inhabitants in the islands. About half of them live on Terre-de-Haut where only a few dozen four-wheeled vehicles travel its roads. There is just one doctor, and his home, designed to resemble a ship's bow, is something of a local landmark.