Cleveland, Ohio is a city with grit, pride, and a surprising amount of charm. Perched along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it blends industrial roots with a strong cultural identity. One of its most iconic attractions is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, where visitors can view everything from Prince’s custom guitars to handwritten lyrics by The Beatles. The museum brings history to life through rotating exhibits, film screenings, and live performances on the lakefront plaza.
Nosy Iranja, a tropical paradise off the northwest coast of Madagascar, is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an untouched escape. Known for its stunning natural beauty, Nosy Iranja is actually composed of two islands, Nosy Iranja Be and Nosy Iranja Kely, connected by a striking sandbar that appears at low tide. Visitors can stroll across the white sands with crystal-clear turquoise waters on either side, creating an otherworldly experience of walking between two islands.
The Coromandel Peninsula on New Zealand’s North Island is a place where coastline and culture come alive in ways that stay with visitors long after they’ve left. Stretching for about 110 kilometers between the Hauraki Gulf and the Bay of Plenty, this region has deep roots that go back to the arrival of Māori long before Europeans stepped ashore.
New Orleans is unlike any other city in the United States. Founded in 1718, it carries layers of French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influence that can be felt in everything from its architecture to its street music. The French Quarter, the oldest neighborhood in the city, is full of iron-laced balconies, gas lamps, and narrow streets that echo with the sounds of live jazz.
The skyline of Erfurt is shaped by dozens of churches, monasteries, and convents thrusting their pointed steeples upward to the sky. In the Middle Ages, Erfurt was known as "Thuringian Rome" because of its religious orders. The impressive twin churches on the Domberg (Cathedral Hill), the Roman Catholic St. Mary's Cathedral (14th century) and the Roman Catholic Parish church St. Severus with a flight of 70 outdoor steps leading from the Cathedral Square up the hill to the churches.
Tree-lined avenues, grand architecture, and the imperative to live well defines Bucharest, a bustling city that is rebounding and expanding. In the 1900s, this vibrant Romanian capital was nicknamed "Little Paris" and that jubilant, raise-a-glass spirit carries over to this day.
Travelers are advised to linger in historically-rich Bucharest, even if their future itinerary stop of Transylvania is beckoning. Those that do will be rewarded with 21st-century modernity and belle époque antiquity. Attractions include the gargantuan Palace of Parliament, the grand concert hall Romanian Athenaeum, King Mihai I Park, and the Arch of Triumph war memorial.
Other Popular Destinations in Romania
Braşov
Nestled in the heart of Romania, Brașov is a charming city that effortlessly blends medieval history with stunning natural beauty. Encircled by the Carpathian Mountains, Brașov's well-preserved medieval architecture and vibrant cultural scene make it a must-visit destination.
Sighisoara
Sighisoara rises above the Târnava Mare River as one of the few medieval citadels in Europe that is still lived in and admired today. Its historic center has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999, recognized for its long history as a fortified Saxon settlement and its role in trade and defense on the edges of central Europe. Wander through cobbled alleys framed by pastel-colored houses, and the layers of time feel close at hand, from the city walls and guild towers to busy cafés.