Konya has served as a spiritual center for centuries. Every December, the Şeb‑i Arûs festival marks the passing of Rumi, the Persian mystic, and draws Sufis and visitors from around the world to witness the Sema. Whirling dervish dance is performed to the sound of ney flutes and drums. In one of the country's most hushed and vivid traditions, performers spin in unison in flowing white skirts, a scene that blends meditation with graceful motion in a way found nowhere else.
Nestled along the southeastern shores of Lake Garda, Bardolino offers a quintessential Italian experience filled with charm, history, and natural beauty. Known for its rolling vineyards and olive groves, Bardolino is the heart of one of Italy’s most celebrated wine regions. Here, you can stroll through narrow, cobbled streets lined with pastel-colored buildings, visit cozy enotecas to sample the renowned Bardolino DOC wines, or enjoy a lakeside meal in a trattoria.
This Mesoamerican archaeological site was an important regional center and capital of the Toltec Empire between the fall of Teotihuacan and the rise of Tenochtitlan. Tula contains many impressive sights, including the basalt columns carved in the shape of Toltec warriors on the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl.
Capital of Martinique, a French overseas territory, Fort-de-France is a veritable island paradise replete with striking colonial architecture, exotic flora and fauna, verdant nature parks, and sparkling beaches. Highlights of this vibrant island capital include the colorful Jardin de Balata, the cascading Fontaine Didier waterfall, and the expansive Schoelcher Library.
The Olympic Peninsula occupies the far northwest corner of Washington State, where mountains, rainforest, and coastline meet within a relatively compact area.