Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, has long served as a cultural and trade crossroads in the Andaman Sea. Centuries ago, it was a stopover for merchants trading tin, spices, and textiles, with influences from Chinese, Portuguese, Indian, and Malay travelers still reflected in the island’s architecture and cuisine. Inland, the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary protects rainforest habitat home to gibbons, civets, and exotic birds.
In ancient times, Kaanapali was a royal retreat for the rulers of Maui, who delighted in the perfect three-mile stretch of white sand beach, the gentle waves, warm sunny days and the majestic West Maui Mountains. Maui royalty surfed, raced their outrigger canoes, feasted at luaus that lasted for weeks, and where the Kaanapali Golf Course now blankets the land, they played ulu maika, a form of lawn bowling with heavy lava balls.
Sun Peaks is a mountain village in British Columbia, Canada, located northeast of Kamloops in the interior region of the province. The community is built around Sun Peaks Resort, one of Canada’s largest ski destinations, but the area also functions as a year-round alpine village with hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and access to surrounding forests.
Steeped in history, Canterbury, England is a must-visit destination for lovers of medieval charm and religious significance. The centerpiece of this historic city is Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been a place of Christian worship since the 6th century. As the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, it is one of the most important religious buildings in England.
Amsterdam, the 17th century capital of Holland, is often called the "Venice of the North" due to its numerous, boat-navigable canals. Truly rich in history, the oldest part of this populous, multicultural city is Sloten, which dates all the way back to the 9th century.