Lebanon unfolds like an open-air museum, with ancient stones that tell stories from centuries past. In Baalbek, the Temple of Bacchus stands among the most impressive Roman ruins outside Italy, its columns framed by Beqaa Valley light. In Byblos, one of the oldest cities in the world, ruins sit beside a bustling harbor and modern cafés, blending past and present in a single stroll.
Pergamum, or Bergama, was a Hellenistic city state that once rivaled Athens and Alexandria as a cultural center. It is the site of one of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. It became an important missionary center after the adoption of Christianity.
In northern Mexico, it is the capital of Chihuahua State and known most for the hairless dogs that bear the same name. Pancho Villa operated out of the surrounding mountains. It is a major mining and cattle raising center. The smelting plant employs many of the citizens.
Alton is a historic Mississippi River city in southwestern Illinois, located about 25 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri. Its position along the river has shaped the community’s industry, transportation, architecture, and recreation. The city rises from the riverfront into wooded bluffs, creating a landscape of steep hills, limestone outcrops, and broad views across the Mississippi. Downtown Alton contains historic commercial buildings, local restaurants, galleries, and museums, while the riverf
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve lies in South Africa’s northeastern Lowveld, directly alongside Kruger National Park. Covering about 556 square kilometres, it forms part of the larger Greater Kruger landscape, where fences between participating reserves and Kruger have been removed to allow wildlife to move freely. The reserve contains a mixture of savanna, woodland, seasonal rivers, and rocky areas shaped by ancient granite and gneiss formations.
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Barranquilla sits near the mouth of the Magdalena River on Columbia's Caribbean side. It is a major seaport and a center of commerce, but everyone breaks loose for four days in February for one of the liveliest carnivals outside of Rio. It is centered between Cartagena and Santa Marta, and a good highway connects the three cities.
Other Popular Destinations in Colombia
Cartagena
A true gem on the Caribbean coast, the port city of Cartagena (Cartagena de Indias) welcomes visitors with its charming old town, colonial buildings, and exceptional beaches. A popular cruise ship stop, many seafarers find themselves honorary Cartagenans, as they stroll shady, cobblestone lanes and gaze upon impressive churches.
Medellín
Nestled in the Aburrá Valley and surrounded by the Andes mountains, Medellín offers a stunning backdrop for visitors and boasts a pleasant climate year-round, earning it the nickname "City of Eternal Spring."