Who would have thought, back in the tumultuous coup and counter coup days of the 1970s, that Burkina Faso would become the cultural darling of West Africa? Unlikely as it seems, Burkina Faso has become the Utah of West Africa, hosting a biennial film festival that rivals the Sundance Film Festival for cultural clout. When it's not hosting film festivals, it's busy organizing its other biennial cultural festival.
Nestled on the southern tip of California's Baja Peninsula, there's a feeling of peace on Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Find your own private sand dune and bask in the sun. Walk along the famous Playa del Amor or explore Cabo's unique rock formations that are found in almost every cove. For a special treat, stop and watch artists create black coral jewelry.
Belgium may be compact, but it offers a surprising variety of experiences shaped by centuries of shifting borders, artistic innovation, and culinary tradition. In Brussels, the Grand Place sets the stage for history and architecture in one square lined with ornate guild halls. The city is also home to the European Union’s headquarters, surrealist painter René Magritte’s former house, and a lively comic book trail that winds through murals of Tintin and other Belgian icons.
Located on the coast of Queensland, Australia, Airlie Beach is a favorite stop for cruises along the Great Barrier Reef. This coastal paradise offers spectacular beaches and easy access to the Whitsunday Islands, Conway National Park, and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef.
Kings Canyon, located in Australia’s Northern Territory within Watarrka National Park, is one of the Red Centre’s most striking natural landmarks. Carved over millions of years, the canyon holds deep cultural significance for the Anangu people, particularly the Luritja, for whom the area remains a sacred landscape tied to creation stories, ceremony, and traditional knowledge.
A dynamic island escape, Penang, Malaysia, is chock-full of exciting attractions, beautiful beaches, and stunning architecture. Head to the George Town neighborhood, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore the island's best colonial architecture and historical landmarks, including the Penang Town Hall, Fort Cornwallis, and Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower. Just off Beach Street you'll find some of Penang's famously vibrant street art and murals, the perfect place for photos. A visit to Penang won't be complete without stopping by one of the islands many temples, most notably the iconic Kek Lok Si Buddhist Temple, whose bright yellow roofs and red lanterns beckon from the wooded hills west of George Town. The island's natural beauty is sure to impress: visit the Penang Botanic Gardens, Penang Butterfly Farm, or Tropical Spice Gardens to delight in vivid and exotic flora. The island's north coast offers spectacular and secluded beaches surrounded by lush tropical forests. Head to Monkey Beach, Batu Ferringhi, or Pantai Keracut to lounge on the warm sand, dip your toes in bright azure water, or watch local monkeys and wild turtles roam the beach.