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The Alif Dhaal Atoll (also known as South Ari Atoll) is one of 26 atolls that make up the nation of the Maldives. Only a few of the islands in this atoll are inhabited, and one of those is the long and slender Dhigurah. Snorkeling and scuba diving are big draws for tourists due to the rich marine life just offshore, including an abundance of whale sharks. The vessel you see here, called a dhoni, makes for a great dive boat. And it’s not a bad way of getting around the Maldives in general—this watery nation boasts nearly 1,200 islands scattered across some 35,000 square miles of the Indian Ocean.
The sands in the southern portion of the Namib Desert contain a high concentration of iron particles, which oxidize and create the vibrant orange hues of the dunes. Some of the best views of those sands are in the Sossusvlei area, a generally dry lakebed of salt and clay called a salt pan that juts into the desert. Most of the time, visitors and residents find the Sossusvlei dry, providing easy entrance to the Namib and its many wonders, including a varied array of flora and fauna that thrive in what seems to us like a harsh environment.
On Sicily’s northern coast, stretching between San Vito lo Capo and Scopello, is the first nature reserve ever established on the island. Created in 1981, the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro (Zingaro Nature Reserve) is an ideal spot to take in the beauty of the Gulf of Castellammare and the surrounding hillsides. Roughly 4 miles of beachfront are protected within the reserve, tempting visitors to take a dip in the rippling aquamarine waters of the gulf. History beckons in the hills above the coast with one of Sicily’s earliest prehistoric settlement sites, the Grotta dell'Uzzo. Birdwatchers may be delighted as well—Zingaro is home to roughly 40 species, including the majestic Bonelli’s eagle.
It's probably not surprising that this serpentine road's name translates to 'Troll's Path.' Seems fitting for a motorway that looks more like something out of a fairytale or ancient myth. But this route snaking across the mountainous landscape of Western Norway is a concrete reality: Trollstigen is one of the country's top tourist attractions. Because it traverses such a high elevation and receives a great deal of seasonal snowfall, the potentially perilous road is closed between October and May. But during the rest of the year here in gloriously scenic Møre og Romsdal county, more than 150,000 cars will typically travel the twisting road.
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