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

Montenegro

Montenegro (Montenegrin: Crna Gora, Црна Гора) is a Balkan country on the Adriatic Sea with a population of 680,000 people. It gained independence in 2006, making it one of Europe's newest countries. Montenegro's infrastructure has significantly improved since independence, with numerous five-...

Latvia

One of the most recent additions to the European Union is Latvia. Much like Bulgaria, and several of the other newest EU members, the country is an undiscovered jewel that is just waiting to be polished. Long hidden behind the veil of Communism, and overshadowed by the presence of the Soviet...

Hungary

Hungary (Magyarország) is an EU member country with a beautiful capital city, Budapest, and the largest lake in Central Europe, Balaton. Hungary has a wide range of attractions to offer, including relatively low mountains in the north-west, the Great Plain in the east, various lakes and rivers,...

Asia

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...

Japan

Japan is often difficult to understand for those educated in the west. It can seem full of contradictions. Many Japanese corporations dominate their industries, yet if you read the financial news it seems like Japan is practically bankrupt. Cities are as modern and high tech as anywhere else,...

South Korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is an East Asian nation. Korea, also known as the "Land of the Morning Calm," has long served as a cultural bridge between its neighbors, China and Japan. South Korea has risen from the ashes of its troubled history to become one of the world's main...

Latin America

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...

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...

Africa

Uganda

Nestled in the heart of East Africa, Uganda is a land that echoes with the melodies of its diverse cultures, resonates with stories of resilience, and radiates the promise of untapped potential. From its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity to its historical complexities and contemporary...

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...