Atacama’s Moon Valley
Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Atacama’s Moon Valley

Located eight miles west of San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile’s Atacama Desert lies el Valle de la Luna. Part of Los Flemencos National Reserve, the area was declared a Nature Sanctuary in 1982 for its natural environment and unique lunar landscape filled with stone and sand formations formed by wind and water.

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Stargaze in the Heart of Atacama Desert
Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Stargaze in the Heart of Atacama Desert

Chile’s Atacama Desert is said to be one of the best places in the world for stargazing because of its extremely dry climate, high altitude, minimal light pollution and near absence of humidity, creating crystal clear skies with perfect visibility of stars and constellations.

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Morocco’s Atlas Mountains
Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Morocco’s Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountains extend some 1,500 miles across northwestern Africa and are dotted with Berber villages and deep canyons and ravines, home to local families who are self-sustaining, producing goods like homemade butter and fresh bread. From Marrakesh, the mountains can be reached within an hour.

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Indigenous Villages of Antigua
Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Indigenous Villages of Antigua

Antigua's surrounding villages honor a rich cultural heritage with production of macadamia nuts, local textiles and authentic Guatemalan fare. Slow down and explore off the beaten path in Antigua’s indigenous villages.

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Sint Maarten’s Dutch Inspired Paradise
Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Sint Maarten’s Dutch Inspired Paradise

Busting with idyllic beaches, parrot sanctuaries and wild zip lines, Sint Maarten is a Dutch territory and country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Part of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea, this little island is also home to Saint Martin in the north.

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Yala National Park
Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Yala National Park

Once the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom of Ruhuna as early as the 3rd century BC, Tissamaharama is steeped in history. This quiet town in Sri Lanka is known for Buddhist monasteries, beautiful beaches and wildlife reserves like Yala National Park, where visitors can join a wildlife safari.

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Athens of Africa
Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Athens of Africa

Thought of as the country’s cultural capital, Fes is most known for its walled medina, Fes El Bali, where visitors experience Morocco’s diverse art, architecture, culture and handicrafts. Outside the walls offers even more to explore.

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Charming Temples, Gardens & Geisha of Kyoto
Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Charming Temples, Gardens & Geisha of Kyoto

Coined the "City of a Thousand Temples," Kyoto oozes old world charm, steeped in centuries of spiritual tradition. It's also the perfect jumping off point for areas like Japan’s Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Nara Park.

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Teotihuacán’s Pyramid of the Sun
Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Teotihuacán’s Pyramid of the Sun

A short drive from Mexico City, Teotihuacán is known for its architecturally significant pyramids, including the Pyramid of the Sun and the Moon, which can be seen from heights above in hot air balloons during sunrise. The area is also famous for its well-preserved murals and fine obsidian tools.

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