Marina del Rey is a coastal community in Los Angeles County, California, centered on one of the largest artificial small-craft harbors in North America. Located beside Santa Monica Bay, the area combines a network of marina basins with residential buildings, restaurants, parks, and waterfront paths. Its position between Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean makes it closely connected to the wider Southern California coastline.
Kuwait City began as a modest fishing village and has evolved into a modern metropolis. The city's history is deeply rooted in its maritime heritage. The Dhow Harbour in Kuwait City offers a captivating glimpse into the nation's rich maritime past. Historically, dhows were essential for trade, fishing, and pearl diving, shaping Kuwait's economic and cultural identity. Today, the harbor remains a vibrant testament to this legacy, housing a variety of traditional wooden ships.
On the north-western coast of Sal Island in Cape Verde sits Palmeira, an authentic fishing settlement where day-to-day life still revolves around the sea. The village’s seaside restaurants serve grilled tuna, octopus, and flying fish fresh from the day’s catch. Just a short trip from the centre lies Buracona, a natural lava rock pool famous for the “Blue Eye,” a glowing underwater cave that shines when the sunlight hits at just the right angle.
Graaff-Reinet is a historic town in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, set within a broad bend of the Sundays River in the Great Karoo. It is surrounded by the landscapes of Camdeboo National Park and is known for its collection of well-preserved historic buildings. More than 200 heritage structures are found across the town, many built in distinctive Cape Dutch, Victorian, and Karoo architectural styles.
Andringitra National Park lies in southeastern Madagascar across the regions of Haute Matsiatra and Ihorombe, protecting about 31,160 hectares of mountains, valleys, forests, and high-altitude grasslands. The park is part of the Andringitra Massif, where granite ridges and steep cliffs rise above deep valleys. Its elevation creates several distinct environments, ranging from humid forest to exposed mountain vegetation. The park is also part of the UNESCO-listed Rainforests of the Atsinanana.
The Gobi Desert, spanning across northern China and southern Mongolia, is one of the world’s most iconic and mysterious landscapes. Known for its vast stretches of arid plains, towering sand dunes, and rugged mountains, the Gobi offers a stark, breathtaking beauty that has captivated explorers and travelers for centuries. This desert is not only the largest in Asia but also one of the most diverse, with its ecosystems ranging from sandy expanses to steppes that support a surprising array of wildlife. Visitors can witness the grandeur of this desert firsthand, exploring its ancient valleys and experiencing its unique climate, where temperatures can soar to extreme highs in summer and drop drastically in winter.
The Gobi Desert is also steeped in history, having served as a critical part of the ancient Silk Road, the trade route that connected the East and West for centuries. Travelers today can still feel the echoes of this historic trade route, visiting sites like the Khongoryn Els, known as the "Singing Dunes," where the wind creates hauntingly beautiful sounds as it sweeps across the sands. The Gobi’s cultural heritage is equally rich, with ancient monasteries like Erdene Zuu, which provide a glimpse into Mongolia's deep Buddhist traditions.
For those seeking adventure, the Gobi Desert offers unparalleled opportunities. From camel treks that take you deep into the heart of the desert to off-road jeep tours that navigate through its rugged terrain, there’s no shortage of ways to explore this remote region. Wildlife enthusiasts will be thrilled by the chance to spot rare species such as the Bactrian camel, snow leopards, and the elusive Gobi bear, one of the world’s rarest animals.
Fun fact: The Gobi Desert is home to the world’s first dinosaur eggs discovered in the 1920s by American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews. This area continues to be a hotbed for paleontological discoveries, making it a fascinating destination for anyone interested in the ancient past.
Other Popular Destinations in Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is a city where tradition and modern life intertwine. Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, it serves as the country’s cultural, political, and economic hub. The city’s skyline features a mix of Soviet-era architecture, Buddhist monasteries, and contemporary high-rises.
Hustai National Park
Hustai National Park is a protected grassland reserve in central Mongolia, located west of Ulaanbaatar in an area of rolling степpe, forested hills, and river valleys. The park is best known for the reintroduction of the Przewalski’s horse, known locally as takhi, a wild horse species that had disappeared from Mongolia before conservation programs returned it to the region.