Mongolia - The largest event in Mongolia takes place annually on July 11 and 12, and it’s definitely worth planning your trip around. The Naadam Festival has a centuries-old history. It was originally a religious festival, but today, during these "Mongolian Olympic ...

Namibia - Our next destination is Twijfelfontein. The road is gravel, and the bus shakes quite a bit over the bumps. Thomas keeps up a good speed but (fortunately) brakes in time for the potholes. At Twijfelfontein, Cheryl is somewhat unsure whether this is the ...

Poland - We start the day slowly. After having coffee in the hotel room, we walk to the Motlawa River quay for breakfast. The weather is beautiful. The sun is shining and it’s about five degrees outside. In a small café, we order breakfast with cappuccino, ...

Bulgaria - The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, located in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, is an iconic symbol of the country and one of the most impressive Orthodox cathedrals in the world. The majestic building, dating from the late 19th century, is known for its beautiful ...

Czech Republic - Just across the border, we take the exit to Valtice. In this small town near the Slovakian border stands the Valtice Castle from the seventeenth century. The castle was built on the order of the Principality of Liechtenstein. The royal house remained ...

Cuba - Trinidad is a characteristic old town from the colonial era. The center of Trinidad looks as if time has stood still. It is no coincidence that Trinidad is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. From the heights, the view over the red-colored roofs is ...

Botswana - All our luggage is loaded into one speedboat. We board the other speedboat ourselves. Ten folding chairs are set up inside for our journey through the Okavango Delta. It looks a little rickety, but it’s surprisingly comfortable. It's only half past ...

Montenegro - As we approach the coast, Vlado points out the beaches. Many beaches are private property belonging to hotels and resorts. Around Budva, this is no exception. I see numerous tourists walking toward the beach and the old town. Vlado parks close to the ...

Mexico - The Agua Azul waterfall, which literally means "blue water," is one of the most breathtaking natural sights in the Mexican state of Chiapas. Located in a tropical rainforest about 70 kilometers from the city of Palenque, this waterfall is not a single ...

Lebanon - Baalbek is a city in Lebanon. The name means "Baal of Beka." The city is located in the Bekaa Valley, between the Litani and Orontes rivers. Baalbek is mainly known for its Roman ruins. Its heyday began in 15 BC when the city became a Roman provincial ...

Netherlands - The Afsluitdijk is an important flood barrier and traffic route in the Netherlands. The 32-kilometer-long dam separates the IJsselmeer from the Wadden Sea, which gives the dike its name. The traffic route, part of National Highway 7, connects North Holland ...

England - Tower Bridge is one of the most important buildings in London. Construction began in 1886, and after eight years, Tower Bridge was completed. The opening was in 1894. Tower Bridge was designed by Sir Horace Jones (1819–1887), who was the city architect ...

Indonesia - The view over Pulau Padar – also known as Padar Island – is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and breathtaking panoramas in all of Indonesia. Located in Komodo National Park, between the larger islands of Komodo and Rinca, Padar is known for its ...

Romania - On the opposite side of the Dâmbovița River stands the Parliament building. It is the second-largest building in the world—only the Pentagon in the United States is larger. Dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu ordered the construction of this massive structure ...

Botswana - Chobe National Park is located in Botswana on the east side of the Okavango Delta and encompasses four different ecosystems. Established in 1968, the park covers approximately 11,700 square kilometers and includes floodplains, swamps, and forests. The ...

India - I walk through narrow streets toward the famous Golden Temple, asking for directions several times—everyone knows this holy site. At the entrance, I remove my shoes and hand them in at the deposit counter. I also cover my head with an orange cloth, ...

Nepal - Bhaktapur is similar to Durbar Square in Kathmandu, but Bhaktapur is less touristy and much more extensive. At the entrance gate, we buy a ticket and are immediately swarmed by guides and students claiming they want to practice their English. We’re ...

Iceland - At 8:30 a.m., we walk to the harbor for a whale-watching tour. We board the Náttfari, a former fishing vessel now fitted with benches. Masks are mandatory onboard due to Icelandic law, as social distancing isn’t possible, explains our guide, Laugey. ...

South_Africa - Soweto is South Africa’s most famous township, over a century old. It originated when tens of thousands of Black residents of Johannesburg were relocated there by the white authorities. Leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu lived here. Soweto, ...

Ecuador - Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an ancient Inca city. The city lies at an altitude of 2,850 meters. Despite the severe earthquake in 1917, the city has been well preserved, especially the historic center. ...

Liechtenstein - In the center, in the pedestrian area, we order some drinks and food. From here, the walk to Vaduz Castle begins. The 12th-century castle sits on the rocks above the city. Over the centuries, the castle has been frequently modified and expanded. Since ...

Cuba - We continue our route toward the Bay of Pigs (Bahia de Cochinos). In this bay, Cuban exiles, supported by the Americans, attempted an invasion of Cuba in 1961. Under Castro's leadership, this attack was successfully repelled within 48 hours, and over ...

Togo - After lunch at a local restaurant, we drive to the Fetish Market, a few kilometers from the Grand Market. There is much activity on the streets along the way. I am amazed. “Fetish,” derived from the French word fétiche, is part of the animist belief. ...

Iceland - Thingvellir, also known as the Parliament Plains, is a fascinating lava field located at the rift between the European and American tectonic plates. This rugged terrain served as a meeting place for chieftains, who gathered here in the year 930 to discuss ...

Qatar - The Corniche of Doha is an iconic boulevard that stretches for about seven kilometers along the coast of Qatar’s capital. This crescent-shaped promenade runs from Sheraton Park in the north to the Museum of Islamic Art in the south and serves as a major ...