The Magnificent Landscapes of Italy

Ask an Italian where in the world they would most like to live, and the odds are that they will say “right here”. Indeed, most people – not just Italians – have raved about Italy since tourism began, and to be honest the country really does have it all: one of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes in Europe. Here are some of the great destinations in Italy :

1.Canals of Venice

Referred to as “The City of Water”, Venice is the crown jewel of water cities. Romantic gondolas, and Italian architecture along the Grand Canal helped earn this status. Stitched together with over 150 canals that have become central to its character, Venice has decayed since its heyday and has more tourists than residents, but with its romantic charm it remains one of the top tourist attractions in Italy.

 2. Colosseum

The Colosseum in Rome is the largest and most famous amphitheater in the Roman world. Its construction was started by emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty in 72 AD and was finished by his son Titus in 80 AD. The Colosseum was capable of holding some 50,000 spectators who could enter the building through no less than 80 entrances. Spectators were protected from the rain and heat of the sun by sails called the “velarium”, that was attached around the top of the attic.

3. Pompeii

On August 24, 79 AD, the volcano Vesuvius erupted, covering the nearby town Pompeii with ash and soil, and subsequently preserving the city in its state from that fateful day. Everything from jars and tables to paintings and people were frozen in time. Its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of people living two thousand years ago. Today Pompeii is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Italy, with approximately 2,500,000 visitors every year.

4. Lake Como (Italian Lake District)

Lake Como is part of the Italian Lake District an area popular with visitors for well over 100 years for its combination of fresh air, water, mountains and good weather. The lake is shaped much like an inverted ‘Y’, with two branches starting at Como in the south-west and Lecco in the south-east, which join together half way up and the lake continues up to Colico in the north. The lake is famous for the attractive villas which have been built here since Roman times. Many have admirable gardens which benefit from the mild climate and are able to include tropical as well as temperate plants.

5. Leaning Tower of Pisa

The world famous Pisa Tower was built over a period of about 177 years. Soon after the construction started in 1173 the tower began to sink due to a poorly laid foundation and was left alone for almost a century. When the construction resumed the engineers built higher floors with one side taller than the other to compensate for the tilt and the tower was finally finished in the 2nd half of the 14th century.

The Breathtaking Nature of British Columbia - Canada

British Columbia is a place of immense natural beauty that boasts dozens of spectacular places to explore.

1. Haida Gwaii

Mystical islands with a rich cultural history

This remote and rugged archipelago is steeped in the ancient culture of the Haida First Nation. Here glorious old-growth rainforest is surrounded by an incredibly rich marine environment, both home to unique subspecies found only on these magical islands. Gwaii Haanas, a highly protected area overseen jointly by Parks Canada and the Haida Nation, is home to extraordinary natural scenery and cultural treasures, including ancient totems that are slowly decaying and being reclaimed by the land.

2. Great Bear region

British Columbia’s Great Bear region:  Where one of the world’s last large, intact temperate rainforest meets one of the world’s most productive cold-water seas, and some of the world’s last large wild rivers. The Great Bear is one of the richest and most spectacular ecosystems on Earth – the only place of its kind left on the planet.  

3. Vancouver

Urban playground in the heart of nature

In Vancouver, Mother Nature beckons. Whether you’re strolling along the seawall, shopping on Robson Street or exploring historic Gastown, you can catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean or the rainforest-covered Coast Mountains from almost anywhere in the city – so close you can practically reach out and touch them. Rent a kayak and paddle scenic waterways, hike or ski in the North Shore Mountains, or just chill at the beach.

4. Canadian Rockies

Awe inspiring peaks, impossibly blue lakes

The Rockies evoke images of towering, snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls and dense evergreen forests. In BC, that jaw-dropping, Rocky Mountain scenery – the kind that stays with you long after you’ve returned home – stretches the entire length of the province. UNESCO established the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site along the BC/Alberta border, in part because of this spectacular beauty. The area is also globally significant because of the Burgess Shale fossil site, which shows in amazing detail what the Earth was like more than half a billion years ago.

The Amazing Sights of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is more than a vacation destination; it is an interactive sensory experience. The country is bestowed with an intense array of biodiversity and environmental attractions - majestic volcanoes, misty cloud forests, stunning river valleys, and hundreds of beaches along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Costa Rica carries a fascinating ecological story, woven into the history of a peaceful and family-oriented culture.

Rainforests

Tropical Rainforests are often referred to as “jewels of the earth.” They are home to two-thirds of all living animal and plant species on the planet. In Costa Rica, numerous destinations have rainforest walking trails. With the help of a local naturalist guide, you can discover the magnificent world within.

Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna – Northern Lowlands Region of Costa Rica

One of Costa Rica's most notable natural features is the Arenal Volcano. This impressive volcano resides within the 29,960-acre Arenal Volcano National Park. Although the volcano entered into a resting phase in 2010 – meaning that its eruptions have paused – it is still a stunning sight. Rising above the rainforest that surrounds its base, Arenal frames the skyline with near perfect symmetry. The immediate area hosts a wealth of activities – including whitewater rafting, waterfall rappelling, hiking and canopy tours – as well as the friendly town of La Fortuna.

 San Gerardo de Dota – South Central Region of Costa Rica

 A haven for birdwatchers and hikers awaits visitors around the town of San Gerardo de Dota, huddled up against the roaring Talamanca Mountain Range. Nestled in the Savegre River Valley, tourism hasn't quite hit this quaint settlement which provides quick access to the recently named Los Quetzales National Park.

Guatemala - Land of Eternal Spring

The treasures of present-day Guatemala, the cradle of Mayan civilization, go beyond the ancient.

The country’s roots trace both to Spain and the native people. This diverse history combines with the natural beauty of the land to create a luxury travel destination worth more than an afternoon spent digging for artifacts.

Eco-tourists will find forests in the midst of preservation. Urbanites will enjoy consuming the food and artwork in Guatemala City. Photographers will find a broad, green canvas in between. Whether your interests run ecological, archaeological, or historical, there’s a slice of Mayan history in Guatemala to satisfy your curiosity.

The Central American country consists of three main regions — the cool highlands with the densest population, the tropical area along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and the tropical jungle in the northern lowlands (known as the Petén). One can travel from coast to coast in six hours, see the entire country in seven days, and change climates in just two hours.

Guatemala City

Whatever your mode of transportation, start in Guatemala City, the largest city in Central America. Guatemala’s capital has a wide variety of art galleries, theaters, sports venues and museums.

Lake Atitlan

This deep blue lake should be counted among the wonders of the modern world. Surrounded by many picturesque villages and three active volcanoes, it’s the deepest lake in Central America and renowned as one of the most beautiful freshwater lakes in the world.

 Antigua

Antigua, the first city in Guatemala, is a very well-known destination full of historic buildings, monuments, fountains and ruins.