Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint: A Bird’s-Eye View of Madeira.

If you visit the vibrant and colorful Portuguese island of Madeira, stop at Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint. Perched at 1,164 feet (355 meters) above sea level, it offers stunning views of the city of Funchal, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding natural amphitheater-shaped valley. From the vantage point of Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint, you can …

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Oatman, Arizona: A Wild West of Donkeys.

Sitting amid the deserted hills of the Black Mountains, practically in the middle of nowhere, is a town famous not for its size or amenities, but for its four-legged, hee-hawing mascots that roam freely. With only about 89 permanent residents, and dozens of donkeys to fill the gaps, Oatman, Arizona, draws visitors from all over …

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Latourell Falls: Unique Among Waterfall Alley.

As the third tallest waterfall in “Waterfall Alley”, Latourell Falls is a stunning 224-foot waterfall that plunges directly down from Latourell Creek. What sets this waterfall apart from many of its peers in the Columbia River Gorge is its straight drop (while the others are tiered). Located about 35-40 minutes outside of Portland, Oregon, it …

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Saint Nicholas Church in the Heart of Historic Bautzen.

Translated to Saint Nicholas Church in English, St. Nikolaikirche in Bautzen, Germany, is a mesmerizing sight. Untouched by modern trashery, the beautiful ruins of this medieval 15th century church have remained unchanged since 1620... nearly 410 years ago. St. Nikolaikirche is the notable resting place of many prominent Lusatian Sorbs, the smallest Slavic ethnic group, …

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Standing Between States: A Visit to the Hoover Dam.

Straddling the border of Arizona and Nevada, located about 35 minutes outside the culturally enriching city of Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam is a sight to behold and makes for an excellent day or road trip stop. An awe-inspiring feat of engineering, it stands 726 feet (221.4 m) tall and stretches 1,244 feet (379 m) …

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Torre de Hércules: From Rome to Present Day.

As La Coruña, Spain's most iconic architectural landmark, the Torre de Hércules, or Tower of Hercules, is a must see. Initially built in the 1st century, it’s the oldest known surviving Roman lighthouse in the world. The earliest known reference of it appears in Historiae adversus Paganos by Paulus Orosius, written around 415–417 AD. Standing …

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Big Tree of Redwood National Park:

Officially named Big Tree Wayside, this massive redwood is a sight to behold and impossible to miss. Just a stone's throw from the Prairie Creek Visitor Center off Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, this impressive natural wonder makes for a great quick stop on any Redwood National Park itinerary. Estimated to be around 1,500 years …

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Castelo de Santo Antón: Where Stone Walls Met Sea Battles.

Castelo de Santo Antón, or Castle of San Antón, is a well-preserved time capsule from the 16th century, showcasing a fortress and striking example of the defensive structures built by King Felipe II to protect La Coruña, Spain. Situated in the Bay of Coruña, near the northwestern tip of Europe, the castle was a vital …

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The Ape Cave Lava Tubes of Mount St. Helen.

Have you ever seen the movies The Descent or The Cave? That's precisely what came to mind as we made our way through the pitch-black, wet darkness of the Ape Cave lava tubes at Mount St. Helens. Surrounded by nothing except solidified lava, with rainwater dripping constantly from every angle, being inside the Ape Cave …

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Menhirs for Peace: The Stonehenge of Spain.

Built to "represent family", the Menhirs for Peace (Menhires pola Paz in Spanish) is a unique and interesting stop in La Coruña, Spain. The installation consists of 12 upright, man-made stones overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Each stone has holes carved into it, designed as “portals” for visitors to look through, meant to encourage "personal reflection …

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