Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is a city where tradition and modern life blend seamlessly. Set along the banks of the Kura River and surrounded by hills, its layout reflects centuries of change and cultural exchange. The Old Town, with its cobbled lanes and wooden balconies, is a living museum of architecture, showcasing influences from Persian, Ottoman, and Russian eras. Above it all, the Narikala Fortress stands watch, offering sweeping views of the city below.
Cusco once served as the heart of the Inca Empire, and that legacy still shapes every corner of the city even as it serves as a gateway to Machu Picchu. Outside the historic center, the ruins of Sacsayhuamán overlook the city from a nearby hilltop. This ceremonial complex is best known for its massive zigzag stone walls, some weighing over 100 tons. During the Inti Raymi festival in June, thousands gather here to reenact ancient Andean rituals.
Located at the foot of the Pyrenees in southwestern France, Lourdes is best known for the Marian apparitions reported by 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. These events transformed the small market town into one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which includes the Grotto of Massabielle, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, and the underground Basilica of St. Pius X, draws millions each year.
There is no other place with such a variety of scenery - deserts, mountains, lush tropical vegetation, and valleys filled with thousands of banana trees. Agriculture here offers everything: lime trees, vine-yards, coffee plantations, sugar cane, almond, tomato and banana crops, as well as, pine and palm forests.
Rovaniemi, located just a few kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, is widely recognized as the official hometown of Santa Claus. From late August through early April, the Northern Lights are visible on clear nights, and several local guides offer nighttime tours to remote locations for optimal viewing. During summer, the sun doesn't set for weeks, giving travelers the rare chance to hike or kayak under a sky that stays bright at midnight.