Lake Havasu City rises from the Mojave Desert along the shores of Lake Havasu, a broad reservoir on the Colorado River that draws visitors with its radiant blue water and warm sunshine nearly all year. The most famous landmark here is the London Bridge, a granite-clad structure that once spanned the River Thames in England. This iconic span now connects the mainland to an island filled with shops, restaurants, and resorts, inviting visitors to stroll beneath its arches.
The capital of French Polynesia, Papeete is a veritable island paradise with bright cerulean waters, iconic overwater bungalows, and palm trees galore.
If summer means the beach to the inhabitants of Greater Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata is most often the beach they are thinking of. Situated on the northern Atlantic coast, 400km from the capital, beaches in this area sprawl for eight km, with sophisticated mansions (reflecting the area's upper-class origins) mingling with the new middle-class resorts. Sea lions keep an eye on the fishing activities around the wharves, and a replica of the grotto of Lourdes is a kitsch paradise.
Tajikistan, a landlocked country in Central Asia, is defined by its dramatic mountain landscapes, including the towering Pamir and Fann ranges. These rugged peaks and deep valleys create a striking backdrop for ancient Silk Road sites and traditional villages, reflecting the country’s historical importance as a crossroads of cultures.