Turkmenistan is a land of striking contrasts, where vast deserts meet ancient Silk Road history. The country is dominated by the Karakum Desert, an expanse of sand and scrub that covers most of its territory, yet it is also home to oases where cities flourished as trading posts for caravans journeying between Persia, China, and beyond.
Lake Powell, stretching across the Utah-Arizona border, is one of the largest manmade reservoirs in the United States. Formed by the flooding of Glen Canyon after the completion of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, it covers over 180 miles in length and contains nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline, more than the entire West Coast of the U.S. Despite its modern origins, the area has long been home to the Ancestral Puebloans and later Navajo communities.
The Isle of Man, nestled in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland, offers visitors a blend of rich history and distinctive culture. Known for its ancient Celtic and Viking roots, the island’s heritage can be explored through sites like Peel Castle, built on a rocky island in the harbor of Peel, and the ancient Manx museums scattered throughout.
Pushkar, a small town in the state of Rajasthan, India, is a unique blend of spirituality, culture, and natural beauty. Nestled around the serene Pushkar Lake, this holy town is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, home to the rare Brahma Temple, one of the very few in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator god in Hinduism. The temple's striking architecture, with its red spire and intricate marble carvings, draws thousands of devotees and curious travelers alike.