Destinations

North America

Mexico

Mexico is a Hispanic country in North America. The festive culture celebrates a mix of "Indian" (precolonial) traditions, Spanish customs, and modern American influence. The Spanish language and the Catholic church play large roles in society. A sensuous blend of food, music, and color lend...

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean country that borders Haiti to the west on the island of Hispaniola. It is well-known for its beaches, resorts, and golf courses. Its landscape includes rainforest, savannah, and highlands, as well as Pico Duarte, the Caribbean's tallest peak. In its Zona...

United States

The United States of America is the most well-known and looked-to country on the planet. For decades it has stood at the pinnacle of achievement in both technological and economical standards, and has garnished a reputation for being the “land of the free” and a place where anyone can come to...

Europe

Lithuania

Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuva) is a country in northeastern Europe on the Baltic Sea. Lithuania has been a member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization since 2004. Lithuania is the only Baltic nation with a history of more than 800 years of statehood, and its name was...

Russia

Russia (Russian: Россия, Rossiya) is the world's largest republic, encompassing more than one-eighth of the Earth's populated land area, Eastern Europe and northern Asia, and eleven time zones. Although geographically mainly in Asia, the majority of Russia's population is located in Europe, and...

Austria

Nestled in the heart of Europe, Austria is a country that captivates with its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. This landlocked nation, often associated with classical music, alpine ski resorts, and imperial palaces, has a unique charm that has been attracting travelers...

Asia

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a nation in the Caucasus region of Eurasia, which means that it is considered part of Europe or Asia. The nation lies on the Caspian Sea. It outskirts Russia and Georgia toward the north, Armenia toward the west, and Iran in the south.

Turkey

Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye) is a bi-continental republic: while the majority of the country is geographically in Asia, Eastern Thrace is part of Europe, and many Turks identify as European. Travelers can choose from a wide range of destinations in Turkey, including the dome-and-minaret-filled...

Uzbekistan

Nestled in the heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is a land of intrigue, steeped in a rich tapestry of history, culture, and transformation. With its ancient cities, vibrant traditions, and evolving modernity, Uzbekistan captures the imagination of travelers and scholars alike. This essay...

Latin America

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a small Central American country. This country's history, climates, flora, and fauna are as diverse as its landscapes, which range from rainforests to dry tropical and temperate forests, volcanoes to Caribbean and Pacific beaches, high mountains, and marshy lowlands. Costa Rica is...

Colombia

Colombia is a large South American country. Sitting on the northwestern corner of the continent, the Hispanic culture has a distinct identity. Ranging from rugged mountains to beaches and jungle, the diverse country produces coffee while enjoying relaxed social attitudes, even in the face of...

Argentina

Argentina is a large nation in South America's south. It has a wide range of climates and habitats, including jungles in the north, vast grass plains in the middle, and frozen mountains in the south. Furthermore, Argentina claims the Falkland Islands, a United Kingdom Overseas Territory, as the...

Africa

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is a West African nation divided into two parts: the mainland and the islands. The country is sandwiched between Cameroon and Gabon. It was the only sub-Saharan country to be a Spanish colony; the only other African colony was Western Sahara. It is the third-largest oil...

Cape Verde

Cape Verde is a West African republic. It is a group of Atlantic Ocean islands located west of Senegal. Cabo Verde, located 311 miles (500 kilometers) west of Senegal, is a breathtaking island chain with a captivating mix of mountains, beaches, and quiet seaside villages. On Santo Anto, craggy...

Nigeria

In the tapestry of nations, Nigeria stands as a vibrant thread, boasting a rich cultural heritage, immense potential, and a resilient spirit. This West African giant is a land of stark contradictions, where progress and setbacks coexist, and the human spirit continually surges forward despite...

Oceania

New Zealand

New Zealand (Mori: Aotearoa) is a nation of breathtaking and varied natural beauty, with jagged mountains, rolling pasture land, steep fiords, pristine trout-filled lakes, roaring rivers, scenic beaches, and active volcanic zones. These islands form a distinct bioregion that is home to...

Australia

As the only country in the world that (arguably) qualifies as a continent, the wide expanses and low population of Australia make it a nature lovers dream. The lush forests of Tasmania, imposing cliffs of Ayers rock and grape-growing district of Barossa all offer inland splendor, but the most...