Jekyll Island, one of Georgia’s Golden Isles, is a barrier island with a story that stretches from ancient Indigenous cultures to Gilded Age millionaires. Today, it’s a state park carefully preserved for public enjoyment, offering a quiet blend of coastal landscapes, historic landmarks, and outdoor activities. With only a limited number of commercial developments allowed, the island maintains a peaceful, uncrowded atmosphere that’s hard to find on most Southeastern beaches.
Swakopmund, on Namibia’s Atlantic coast, is a town where desert meets ocean in striking contrast. Founded by German colonists in the late 19th century, its streets are lined with colonial-era buildings painted in pastel colors, giving the town a distinctly European feel.
Delphi is an iconic historical site and was once the sacred precinct of classical Greece, due to its role in Greek myth as the seat of a prophetic oracle. Originally considered the center of the world by ancient Greeks, today's Delphi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and archaeological wonder, filled with the ruins of theaters, temples, treasuries, and other remains of centuries-old architecture.
Auyuittuq National Park is a vast protected landscape on southeastern Baffin Island in Nunavut, extending between the communities of Pangnirtung and Qikiqtarjuaq. Its name means “land that never melts” in Inuktitut, reflecting the park's extensive ice and snow. Towering granite peaks, deep fjords, glaciers, rivers, and tundra dominate the landscape, while the Penny Ice Cap covers a large section of the interior.
Ocean City, Maryland, is a barrier-island resort along the Atlantic coast of Worcester County, known for its broad beaches, long boardwalk, and connection to the coastal bays. The town stretches for about 10 miles between the Ocean City Inlet and the Delaware state line, with distinct neighborhoods ranging from the historic downtown to quieter northern sections. Its roots as a fishing community remain visible alongside its role as a major seaside destination.
Raise a glass and toast Würzburg, an enchanting, Franconian wine-producing area on the Main River, and one of Germany's oldest cities. Wine bars and cellars abound here, but there's also plenty of wonderful history and striking Baroque and rococo architecture to behold. The Würzburg Residence, a glorious palace, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and visitors are encouraged to walk its gardens. Downtown, the rococo Falkenhaus, once damaged badly in WWII, now homes a library and tourism office. The Gothic Marienkapelle church is a must-see, as is the Alte Mainbrücke (Old Main River Bridge), which provides a stunning view of the cloud-touching ancient Fortress Marienberg.
Other Popular Destinations in Germany
Passau
Passau sits on the confluence of the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz, so it is fitting that it is known as "the Dreiflüssestadt", which means the “City of Three Rivers.” The historical center offers a cathedral, churches and museums to explore, and the embankment is perfect for a romantic stroll.
Cologne
This cultural capital and university city holds more than 2,000 years of history and is the cultural hub of Germany. Marvel at the gorgeous twin-spired Cologne Cathedral, known for its gilded medieval reliquary and sweeping river views, or lose yourself in one of Colonge's many museums for a few hours. Cologne boasts of having most pubs per person in Germany, so make sure you sit down for a refreshing regional Kölsch beer during your travels!