Saipan, the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands, offers a rare combination of deep historical roots, island traditions, and dramatic landscapes. Located in the western Pacific, this U.S. territory was once the site of one of the most pivotal battles in the Pacific during World War II. Visitors today can explore the remains of bunkers, tanks, and hidden caves at sites like Suicide Cliff, Last Command Post, and the American Memorial Park.
The Isle of Skye rises from Scotland’s west coast with a shape that feels almost sculpted by hand. Its ridges and peninsulas stretch outward from a mountainous core, where the Cuillin range cuts a jagged line across the sky. Travelers often begin in Portree, a harbor town lined with brightly painted buildings and small seafood spots. From here, narrow roads lead to cliff edges, quiet bays, and sweeping views where golden eagles and red deer are part of the everyday scene.
Hanalei is located on the North central coast of Kauai Island. Near the head of Hanalei Bay, the village is in scenic and fertile Hanalei or Hanohano Valley, one of the states few rice producing regions.
Missionaries arrived at the site in 1834, and Mission Home was built and furnished with materials brought aboard Cape Horn. The Waioli Mission, now used as a community center, combines the strakness of a New England clapboard house with Hawaiian details such as lanais, wide eaves, and long slopping roof lines.
Lumahai Beach, located on the west, is a noted beauty spot.