Belgium - Durbuy is for the most part situated on the right bank of the Ourthe River, nestled between steep and wooded slopes that seem to squeeze it in. On one of these slopes, you will find the famous anticline — a bend in the river that was drained in the ...

Brazil - As soon as the truck drives onto the dirt road, I see beautiful birds on both sides. With a tap on the cabin roof, the driver stops. It’s not easy to take good photos. The sound of the vehicle scares the animals. In the puddles where there is still ...

Tibet - The Potala Palace is situated high above the city. Not yet accustomed to the altitude, I climb the nearly 300 steps of the immense Potala Palace at a slow pace. Along the way, I admire the structure. The Potala has a total of 13 floors and more than 1,100 ...

Portugal - As I arrive at Sintra station, I immediately notice I’m not the only one wanting to visit the town and its palaces today. There’s a long line at the bus stop. Everyone buys a ticket one by one. Once the bus is full, it departs. Luckily, the next bus ...

Armenia - The Sevanavank Monastery, also called Sevan Monastery, is situated on a picturesque peninsula on Lake Sevan, Armenia’s largest lake and one of the highest lakes in the world. At over 1,900 meters above sea level, it offers breathtaking views of the ...

Denmark - Legoland Billund is the most famous and beloved amusement park in Denmark for families and children of all ages. There is plenty of action, speed, and fun for the whole family. Legoland is built with millions of LEGO bricks. A world of fun and adventure ...

Syria - Damascus, the capital of Syria, is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. It has held an important position in science, culture, politics, art, trade, and industry since early times. It has been called Al-Fayha’a, Al-Sham, Jollaq, and ...

Nicaragua - After about half an hour, Belisario turns off the main road, and the bus drives into the parking lot of Masaya National Park. The gate is still closed. It turns out the staff is in a meeting, so we have to wait. The Masaya volcano is one of the most active ...

Turkmenistan - The road to Balkanabat is a good one. Work is underway to widen the road, though why is unclear, as there is hardly any traffic. Both directions can easily use one side of the road during construction. Even when both directions are open, cars drive on ...

Slovakia - The historic town of Banská Štiavnica is centrally located. It is a completely preserved medieval town. Due to its historical value, the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The heart of the town is the historic Trinity Square. ...

Uzbekistan - When I arrive at Registan Square, it’s already busy with tourists. I walk onto the square. Immediately, a guard approaches me. “Ticket, ticket!” he says. I look around in surprise. Apparently, tourists need a ticket just to walk onto the square. ...

El Salvador - About a hundred kilometers before the capital, I leave the highway and head north to Lago Suchitlán, where Suchitoto is located. Just after noon, I enter the town. A fair is being set up in the central square by the church. I see a rickety-looking Ferris ...

Egypt - At seven o’clock, accompanied by Ale, we board the bus. Ale is our guard for the coming days through the desert. A tough young guy of just 21, with a huge gun on his belt. It looks safe, but I estimate he will be gone when we really need him. In Egypt, ...

Spain - Toledo, one of the oldest cities in Spain, was once the capital of the Iberian Carpetani and was conquered by the Romans in 192 BC, who named it Toletum. The city lies on the banks of the Tagus River, southwest of the capital Madrid. With its rich history ...

Singapore - The impressive Cloud Forest is one of the most remarkable attractions of Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. This enormous glass dome combines nature, technology, and architecture into a futuristic whole and offers visitors the experience of a tropical mountain ...

China - All tourists who visit Dunhuang come for the Mogao Caves. The Buddhist caves lie several tens of kilometers outside the city of Dunhuang. At the entrance, the guide is already waiting for me. I may call her Betty. She wears a transmitter. I receive a ...

Saudi Arabia - We continue on to the Al Masmak Fort. Parking here is easier. There’s a parking lot where we can leave the car for a fee. The citadel, made of clay and mud, was built in 1865. In 1902, King Abdul Aziz captured the fort and took control of Riyadh. At ...

French Polynesia - French Polynesia, with its 118 magnificent islands, is spread over a water surface as large as Europe. The 118 islands of this French territory in the Pacific are divided into five island groups. In the western Society Archipelago lies the largest ...

Sri Lanka - Afterward, I head to the fort — the diplomatic district where many government buildings are located. I get out here and walk into the adjacent Patteh district, the commercial area. Immediately, I see countless little shops. I arrive at the Jami Ul-Alfar ...

Fiji - We head into the mountains. The asphalt on the road is surprisingly good. Everywhere we had read warnings about poor unpaved roads in the mountains. This morning, the staff were still unsure if we could take the inland route to Nadi because of the poor ...

Egypt - At the end of the afternoon, we visit the temples of Karnak, about three kilometers from Luxor. With seven horse-drawn carriages, we travel in a procession to Karnak. In front of the temple, Mohammed gives a detailed explanation about the temple. Karnak ...

China - Looking across the square, I see on the opposite side a large flagpole and Mao’s portrait hanging on the wall of the Forbidden City. The familiar image. I cross the square diagonally towards the Forbidden City. Walking under Mao’s portrait, I enter ...

Gambia - The stone circles of Wassu are presumed to be ancient burial monuments. About two thousand years ago, the circles were erected. The pillars were dug from nearby rocks. Using wooden beams, the pillars were rolled to the location of the circles. At least, ...

Armenia - The Geghard Monastery, also known as Geghardavank, is one of Armenia’s most impressive religious monuments and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery lies deep in the picturesque Azat Valley, surrounded by steep cliffs and rugged mountains. ...

Norway - After breakfast, we drive through light rain to the ferry. Visibility is limited due to the low-hanging clouds, which gives the Moldefjord a mystical atmosphere. The ferry crossing takes thirty-five minutes. On the other side, we continue toward Geiranger. ...