Anuradhapura, located in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the island’s capital for more than a millennium, beginning in the 4th century BCE. Today, its vast archaeological complex spans several square kilometers and includes some of South Asia’s most significant Buddhist monuments.
Nestling cozily beneath the legendary triad of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, Interlaken, 570 meters above sea level is a wondrous health resort and an international favorite. The superb mountainous scenery and gentle climate are ideal venues for virtually every leisure activity, all year round.
Set along the banks of the Dudh Koshi River, Phakding welcomes travelers at the early stages of the journey toward Mount Everest. Sitting at a lower elevation than many nearby stops, the village is surrounded by green hills, pine forests, and terraced farmland. The steady sound of the river accompanies visitors as they cross suspension bridges and follow winding trails that connect small settlements throughout the valley.
Perugia, the capital of Italy’s Umbria region, is a city built across hills and centuries. Originally settled by the Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago, it still holds remnants of their civilization, including one of the largest surviving Etruscan arches in Italy named Arco Etrusco, which greets visitors at the city’s entrance. Walking through the narrow streets of the historic center reveals layers of Roman, medieval, and Renaissance architecture, all woven together within ancient stone walls.
Photo Credit: Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash
Collioure, just before the Spanish border, aims its charms at its own people. It's the ideal small town-without-the-glitz antidote to condo city Riviera. Like an ice cream shop, Collioure offers 31 flavors of pastel houses and six petite scooped-out beach-sprinkled lightly with beachgoers. This sweet scene, capped by Collioure's winking lighthouse, sits under a once-mighty castle in the shade of the Pyrenees. The ambience of Collioure is what was so charming about the Cote d'Azur back before the introduction of the paid vacation turned the Riviera into France's holiday beach.