Pamukkale really is one of nature’s wonders. There are terraces with pools, and the water runs down from one level to the next in a natural spectacle created by white lime deposits. The name means ”The Cotton-wool Fortress.” Unfortunately, too many visitors have created a lot of wear and tear on the cliffs, and now most of the pools are closed to the public. There are daily excursions here, but you can also take the local bus. The travelling time is about 3.5 hours.

All-weather cyclists will enjoy the Shannon Corridor's seven cycle routes, some of which reach as far as to the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. The route between Milltown Malbay and Doolin in west Clare is considered among the best cycling routes in the world.

One of the greenest cities in the world, Vancouver is home to countless bird species. Eagles, herons, snow geese, owls, gulls, jays and sandpipers — you can find them all here. Casual watchers and serious ornithologists will enjoy the abundance of bird life in the region. The temperate rainforest, alpine landscapes and waterways bring you a variety of species like nowhere else in the urbanized world. You will be reaching for binoculars even downtown. Stanley Park, Pacific Spirit Regional Park, George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, the Brackendale community and Boundary Bay are excellent places to see our feathered brethren. Check out the Nature Vancouver webpage for an impressive list of bird-watching spots.

For some insight into Cape Verde's more recent turbulent history, visit Colonia Penal de Tarrafal, a prison and concentration camp nicknamed 'Campo da Morte Lenta' (Camp of the Slow Death). It was used to keep political opponents of António de Oliveira Salazar, the right-wing dictator who governed Portugal in the mid-20th century. It is a harrowing, but important visit.