Barca d'Alva sits quietly along the Douro River, right at Portugal’s eastern border with Spain. Once the final stop on the historic Douro railway line, this riverside village remains relatively untouched by mass tourism. The surrounding landscape filled with terraced vineyards, olive groves, and almond trees form part of the UNESCO-listed Alto Douro Wine Region.
Carlsbad, California, a coastal gem located between San Diego and Los Angeles, offers visitors a unique mix of stunning beaches, family-friendly attractions, and natural beauty. The city is best known for its beautiful Carlsbad State Beach, where surfers, sunbathers, and swimmers flock year-round to enjoy Southern California’s idyllic weather and shimmering Pacific waters.
Bhutan, often called the “Land of the Thunder Dragon,” is a Himalayan kingdom known for its dramatic landscapes and deeply rooted traditions. Towering peaks, forested valleys, and winding rivers set the stage for a country that has long prioritized harmony between nature and culture.
A lesser-known river port in the Mekong Delta, Sa Dec was once the capital of Dong Thap province of southern Vietnam. Today, it is best known for its flower gardens and authentic bustling market. The city is also famous as the setting for French writer Marguerite Duras' 1984 novel, The Lover, and its 1991 film adaptation of the same name.
Tucked away in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, Nauru is one of the world’s smallest and least visited countries being an island nation just 21 square kilometers in size, with a population under 10,000. But its compact size makes exploring simple and rewarding. Visitors can circle the entire island by car in under an hour, taking in stunning ocean views, remnants of World War II bunkers, and clusters of colorful homes that speak to Nauru's resilient spirit and layered past.
Experience Tuscany at the 5-Star Castel Monastero, a luxurious and peaceful retreat and wellness center in the Chianti countryside provides relaxation, gourmet meals and wonderful spa treatments. Restored in typical Tuscan style near Siena between Florence and Rome, this property offers scenic vistas of the medieval village square, chestnut forests and rolling hills covered with wheat.
Step into Lorette's contemporary kitchen, rich with the scents of her garden-fresh herbs. Join her and learn to cook 2-3 traditional South African dishes with a delightful Cape Malay influence.
Come aboard Norwegian Pearl® for an unforgettable transatlantic voyage from Miami to Barcelona. Dip into relaxation in Ponta Delgada’s natural hot springs and soak in expansive vistas while touring the countryside. Then savor a day exploring Cádiz with a visit to the bustling Mercado Central de Abastos – a covered market boasting more than 150 stalls selling fresh seafood and delicious local cuisine – and recline on one of the town’s beautiful beaches.
