Masada

A Besieged Stronghold

Ambato to Babahoyo

Babahoyo

While the Chimborazo volcano is "only" 6268 meters high, its position on the equator means its peak is actually the furthest point from the Earth's core and the closest point on Earth to space. While mountaineers and expert climbers shoot for the summit, casual visitors can explore the slopes on more manageable trails with a local guide. In fact, you might not want to hike at all. The Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve is a photographer's dream, with the glacier capped volcano dominating the arid plain. Alpacas, llamas, and vicuña, important domestic animals before the Spanish arrived, are abundant here, as are deer, wolves, rabbits, cougars and opossums. Condors can be seen soaring overhead, and hawks and hummingbirds have also been known to make appearances. Please note: a guide (usually ~$30) is required when you are in the park.

Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve

Reach for the Sky

Guaranda is a small city located in the Andes mountains in central Ecuador, known for its daily and weekly markets, and its carnival festivities in the month of February. If you visit during carnival season expect to see traditional dancing, bright and bold costumes dressing the local participants and food and drink being served out of homes and street stalls. There’s music blaring through the streets and live trumpets and drums adding to the energetic atmosphere - but be warned, water fights are part of the carnival tradition so prepare to get wet! The Parque Simon Bolivar is the central square in the city and houses the Cathedral of San Pedro with its impressive towers and stained glass windows. From Guaranda it is impossible to miss the grand monument of the El Indio Guaranga, a 5 meter high sculpture sitting on a hilltop a few kilometers in the distance.

Guaranda

City of the Seven Hills

Ambato

A City of Two Worlds

Stirling Castle to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal

Stirling Castle

The Stream in the Sky

Duchcov Chateau

Intimate Insights

Calvi to Porticcio Beach

Porticcio Beach

The Clos Culombu winery lies “entre mer et montagne” - between sea and mountains - in a picturesque patchwork of vines, olive trees and oak groves. A passion for winemaking in the Suzzoni family led to their first vine planting in 1973 and the estate has since earned a reputable name amongst wine connoisseurs. Nearly 140 hectares later, the vineyard is now fully cultivated by organic farming and incorporates biodynamic practices, making it certified organic by ECOCERT. A trip to Clos Culombu will see you sipping on wine tastings from red and white grape varieties, including Niellucciu, Muresconu, Vermentinu and Genovese, to name a few. You’ll be introduced to the perfect alchemy of geology, pedology, climate and biodiversity in the gorgeous wine samples, while surveying the romantic Corsican landscape.

Clos Culombu

Tastings From the Vineyard

Immerse yourself in the agrarian charm of Calenzana, best known as the starting point of one of the most beautiful walks in Europe - the GR20 long-distance footpath across Corsica. Thousands of people flock to this unassuming town every year to attempt the trail and fall in love with its old-world beauty. Nestled amongst fairytale foliage, Calenzana boasts a fascinating history and traditional Corsican culture.The austere Chapel of Sainte Restitude in the main square contains the sarcophagus and crypt of Saint Restitude and her five companions who were martyred in the year 304. Ancient olive trees gently encircle the chapel, some having stood for up to 800 years. Bars, restaurants and shops are just a stroll away in the square, where Corsican music can be heard drifting through the narrow streets. Don’t visit Calenzana without sampling its divine wine and cheese products, especially the famous, spicy “calinzana” cheese or the sweet “cuggiulelle” biscuits.

Calenzana

A Pastoral Retreat

Belgodère is hidden in the Balagne region in upper Corsica, settled when the Feudal lord Marquis de Massa first climbed the peak of rocks in 1268. Since then, its aging houses, architectural peculiarities and religious relics have brought curious travelers to its winding streets. Admire the baroque style Church of Saint Thomas and the beautiful domes inside, then explore the three chapels and crumbling ruins of a convent. Wander through the fortified area of Belgodère in the Cima du Fondu and Cabanne districts and climb to the top of the tower for an exceptional view. Or, take in the undulating hillsides from a terrace cafe after a stroll through the Sunday morning summer markets.

Belgodere

Village With A View

Located in the very heart of Corsica, Corte is a simply unmissable inland location with swathes of greenery and historical delights that will leave you swooning. Its citadel, built in 1419, teeters improbably atop a rock promontory at the very center of town. The military buildings were used as barracks and a prison during the Second World War, and one barrack now holds the Musée de la Corse, where you'll find 3000 traditional objects from Corsican history. Head to the Belvedere for the best views over the city, overlooking the Restonica and Tavignano valleys. For a tasty treat, visit the oldest grocery store in Europe - in business since 1769 - or pick up some Corsican pastries, brocciu donuts, ice creams or amaretti from one of the many shops lining the streets. Travel past semi-wild pigs and goats dotted along the roads on one of Corsica’s most famous trails to the Gorges de la Restonica valley, and take a dip in Lake Melo or Lake Capitello.

Corte

Hike Through the Heartland

Hundreds of years of sea winds, storms and erosion formed the eccentrically shaped granite walls of Calanques de Piana, meaning “coves of Piana”. Located on the southern part of the Gulf of Porto, it is a site of huge ecological significance together with the Gulf of Girolata and the Scandola nature reserve. Corsica’s volcanic activity coloured the rocks with red alkaline, making for an astonishing sight of rich, earthy russet colliding with mineral waters below. Visit the site to spot unexpected shapes and figures eroded into the Calanques. If you fancy, follow one of the winding trails through the rocks for breathtaking views and don’t forget to take a selfie over the Gulf.

Calanques de Piana

Carved By The Cosmos

Along with palm trees and brightly colored architecture, the open-vista boulevards of Ajaccio are filled with the undeniable presence of a revered historical figure. Napoleon was born in Ajaccio in 1769 and the port city celebrates its favorite son at every opportunity. Statues of the leader in military poses tower over squares and palaces, and the museum Maison Bonaparte, houses in his ancestral home, is a veritable goldmine for history lovers. For the art appreciators, the Fesch Palace (built by Napoleon’s maternal uncle) hosts one of France’s largest collections, right after the Louvre Museum in Paris. Contemplate masterpieces by Poussin, Botticelli, and Titian before enjoying drinks and fresh seafood by the harbor. Stroll through the vibrant market on Foch Square between April and October for local delicatessen, regional cheeses, wines and jams, or follow the Chemin des Crêtes path for spectacular views across the Mediterranean. And, of course, don’t leave without having a splash in one of the many astonishing beaches surrounding Ajaccio.

Ajaccio

Home of a Hero

Calvi

Hamburg to Munich Airport

Munich Airport

In 1935, the Wehrmacht began work on what would be the largest training area in all of Germany. After the invasion of Poland, the camp was used to hold prisoners of war, and after passing to the SS in 1943, it became a concentration camp. Even without gas chambers, it’s estimated that over 50,000 people died in the camp, including Margot and Anne Frank, as well as Czech author Josef Čapek. After being liberated in April, 1945, Allied troops buried the dead and burned the camp down. Today, the site is a memorial dedicated to the many who died here. Signs mark the different areas of the camp, while a cemetery names some of the dead. In the exhibition hall, an austere, concrete building, artefacts including photographs, documents, and personal objects donated by over 400 former prisoners shed light on the camp’s inner-workings.

WWII Bergen-Belsen memorial

The Death of Anne Frank

The second-largest city in Lower Saxony, Brunswick has maintained political and economic influence since the Middle Ages thanks to its most famous ruler, Henry the Lion, duke of Saxony and Bavaria. The most famous landmark in the city, known as the “castle lion”, was constructed by the ruler himself in 1160. He established several cities during his reign, most notably, Munich. From the 13th to the 17th century, Brunswick was also a member of the Hanseatic League, a commercial and defensive confederation of market towns, which allowed this city to prosper as one of the most important economic centers in Northern Europe. While much of the city was destroyed during World War I, its historic center still has some stupendous historic monuments. In the castle square, visitors can enjoy traditional half-timbered buildings, the 12th century, and Dankwarderode Castle a 19th century reconstruction of Henry the Lion's original castle.

Brunswick

Seat of the Lion

Though it was founded by Charlemagne in 805, it’s Otto the Great, Holy Roman Emperor from 962 who locals revere. Otto, who presented his favourite residence as a gift to his wife Edith, is still beloved by locals today, and is buried within the city's most significant landmark, the Cathedral of St. Mauritius and St. Catherine. Perched on a hilltop and crowned with ornate spires, Germany’s first Gothic cathedral can be seen for miles. Right behind the cathedral is the city’s oldest building, the Monastery of Our Lady, which now houses an art museum. Nearby, amongst the the contemporary Green Citadel, by Friedensreich Hundertwasser replaced one of the first prefabricated slab buildings in Germany. It’s vibrant facade celebrates the beauty and cultural history of the surrounding landmarks while contrasting with the bank and modern austerity.

Magdeburg

In Love with the Ottos

First mentioned in 1804, the company changed names several times before settling settling on Halloren in 1952. Having been so well established, the brand was particularly popular in the former German Democratic Republic, and remains so to this day. Their best known product is the "Halloren-Kugeln", or Halloren globes, which are named for their resemblance to early salt workers’ buttons. Within the company’s museum, visitors can learn the history of chocolate and chocolate making equipment, molds, and get a view of the factory process. They even have a living room made of chocolate. Afterwards, you don’t need a golden ticket to get into their factory store, which is nirvana for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Halloren Chocolate Museum

The Sweet Life

This North Bavarian city is well known for its association with the German composer Richard Wagner, who lived in Bayreuth from 1872 until his death in 1883 and the world famous Bayreuth Festival where only Wagner’s works are performed. However, Bayreuth offers so much more than Wagner. The simple charm of the town’s historic houses and public buildings provide the perfect contrast with the rococo parks, fountains, artificial grottos and tree-lined avenues. The Baroque style city center contains an attractive pedestrian area with spacious town squares, numerous street cafés and over 400 specialty shops where time can easily slip by if you’re not careful when whiling away the hours. Whether it’s the UNESCO listed Margravial Opera House, browsing unforgettable buildings where the aristocracy once lived, or even simply checking out the huge range of shopping close at hand, Bayreuth has something to cater for every taste.

Bayreuth

The home of German culture?

It's worth visiting Nuremberg just to see the Schöner Brunnen, or "Beautiful Fountain". Situated in the main market square next to the town hall, it rises 19 metres from its octagonal basin, a progressively narrowing, gilded Gothic spire ringed at its base with forty painted allegorical stone figures. It's a good idea to ascend higher than 19 metres by visiting Nuremberg Castle, former home of the Imperial regalia and popular pit-stop for Imperial rulers. The observation platform atop its Sinwell Tower offers panoramic views of the city, while its Deep Well in the outer wall has spectacular views down to its rock-hewn roots 47 meters below. The house of Nuremberg's most famous artistic son, Albrecht Dűrer, provides insights into his life and art, while the Germanische Nationalmuseum has some of his most important works. The Frauenkirche, the Church of Our Lady, is another major draw with its Männleinlaufen, a  sculptural mechanical clock and glockenspiel.

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