Tonto National Forest covers a large area of central Arizona, stretching across desert lowlands, rugged mountains, pine forests, and river corridors north and east of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Its varied elevation creates several distinct landscapes within one forest, from saguaro-filled Sonoran Desert to ponderosa pine country around the Mogollon Rim.
High on a hill, dominating the sea, Loreto is a small city that lives solely for the "Santa Casa", one of the most famous and revered monuments of Christianity. According to tradition, it was the Virgin Mary's birth house, which up until that time was kept intact and venerated in Palestine, then flown by angels from Nazareth to the Adriatic Coast and set on a green hill of laurels on the night of December 10, 1294; hence the name Loreto.
The principal attraction of this suburb south of Los Angeles (on I-5) is that remarkable entertainment machine, Disneyland. Even adults will delight in this theme park, and there's now an element of nostalgia for many parents -- they first went there when they were children.
Salisbury, nestled in the heart of Wiltshire, England, is a city rich with history and charm. Dominated by the stunning Salisbury Cathedral, this medieval masterpiece boasts the tallest spire in the UK, reaching 123 meters (404 feet). The Cathedral houses one of the original copies of the Magna Carta, an essential document in English history. Visitors can explore the intricate Gothic architecture, serene cloisters, and the captivating Chapter House where the Magna Carta is displayed.
Guatemala is a country where ancient history and living tradition meet in unexpected ways. The ruins of Tikal, once a major center of the Maya civilization, rise from the dense Petén jungle. Visitors can climb stone temples that pierce the forest canopy and listen for howler monkeys echoing through the trees. Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains over 3,000 structures and still holds secrets under layers of earth and vegetation.
Photo Credit: Photo by Nicole Wreyford on Unsplash
Grey Heron
Photo Credit: Photo by Nicole Wreyford on Unsplash
White Breasted Cormorant
Photo Credit: Photo by Nicole Wreyford on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Ed Wingate on Unsplash
Halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth in the heart of the famous Garden Route, nestles the seaside town of Mossel Bay. A bustling holiday resort in summer and the ideal retreat in winter, it is situated on a spectacular sunwashed peninsula embraced by the warm Indian Ocean. Also called the "Karoo-by-the-Sea town", Mossel Bay features in the Guiness Book of Records as having the mildest all-year climate in the world, second only to Hawaii. But it's the fascinating history of Mossel Bay which grants the town its status as the historical capital of the Garden Route and one of the most significant towns in South Africa.
Other Popular Destinations in South Africa
Cape Town
Cape Town, located at the southern tip of South Africa, is one of the world’s most striking coastal cities. Towering over it is Table Mountain, a flat-topped landmark that can be reached by cable car or on foot, offering sweeping views of the city, ocean, and beyond.
Johannesburg
Travel to Johannesburg, the cosmopolitan city at the heart of South Africa, and find some of the country’s most iconic landmarks. Replete with cultural excursions, historical sites, and superb restaurants, Johannesburg has plenty to explore.