Borjomi sits high in the center of Georgia, in a long valley along the Borjomula River surrounded by forested mountains. For centuries its mineral springs have drawn people to the region, but it wasn’t until the 1800s that the water became known to the wider world when Russian officers stationed here shared its crisp, naturally fizzy taste and believed health-boosting properties with visitors.
São Tomé & Príncipe, a two-island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, is one of Africa’s smallest yet most captivating destinations. Known for its unspoiled landscapes, it offers lush rainforests, volcanic peaks, and secluded beaches.
Located at the foot of the Pyrenees in southwestern France, Lourdes is best known for the Marian apparitions reported by 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. These events transformed the small market town into one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which includes the Grotto of Massabielle, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, and the underground Basilica of St. Pius X, draws millions each year.