The distance from Fira to Oia is around 10.5km (6.5 miles) one-way and this walk shows it in its entirety.. We start our walk in the afternoon in the capital town of Santorini Fira and finish in beautiful Oia around 2 hours later in time for sunset. The walking path passes by the towns of Firostefani (great sunset) and Imerovigli on the way to Oia which is the most picturesque town on the island.
Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. It was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC, forever shaping its rugged landscape. The whitewashed, cubiform houses of its 2 principal towns, Fira and Oia, cling to cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater). They overlook the sea, small islands to the west and beaches made up of black, red and white lava pebbles.
Chartres, a city in north-central France southwest of Paris, is famed for its massive Cathédrale Notre-Dame. The Gothic cathedral, completed in 1220, features 2 towering spires, flying buttresses, Romanesque sculptures, pavement labyrinth and elaborate rose windows. The interior’s blue-tinted stained glass is distinctive, and the nearby Centre International du Vitrail has workshops and exhibits on stained-glass art.
Kulmbach is the capital of the district of Kulmbach in Bavaria in Germany. The town is famous for Plassenburg Castle, which houses the largest tin soldier museum in the world, and for its sausages, or Bratwürste.
Walk with us through the ancient Mayan city of Calakmul, Mexico. Our guide, Erik Mendicuti Polanco, takes us through this UNESCO World Heritage Site that doubles as the largest protected tropical forest in Mexico. The combination between the Mayan architectural style known as Petén with miles and miles of protected forest creates stunning, lush views unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
Video timeline: 0:00 Introduction 0:31 The Largest Protected Tropical Forest in Mexico 1:11 History of Calakmul 2:28 Petén Architectural Style 3:17 Origins of Calakmul 3:58 Walking Up the Sacred Mountain of Calakmul 4:52 The Best View in the Mayan World 5:45 Into the Rain
Zaragoza is the capital of northeastern Spain’s Aragon region. Overlooking the Ebro River in the city center is baroque Nuestra Señora del Pilar basilica, a famous pilgrimage site with a shrine to the Virgin Mary and multiple domes. Mudéjar-style landmarks, combining Islamic and Gothic architecture, include the Aljafería, an 11th-century Moorish palace, and the Cathedral of the Savior, begun in the 12th century.
Paris, France’s capital, is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture. Its 19th-century cityscape is crisscrossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine. Beyond such landmarks as the Eiffel Tower and the 12th-century, Gothic Notre-Dame cathedral, the city is known for its cafe culture and designer boutiques along the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
Lisbon is Portugal’s hilly, coastal capital city. From imposing São Jorge Castle, the view encompasses the old city’s pastel-colored buildings, Tagus Estuary and Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge. Nearby, the National Azulejo Museum displays 5 centuries of decorative ceramic tiles. Just outside Lisbon is a string of Atlantic beaches, from Cascais to Estoril.
Located in the center of Japan, Gifu Prefecture is a mountainous, rugged area full of beautiful forests and rushing rivers. There are a lot of picturesque and historical places to visit here such as Takayama (the little Kyoto of the Japan Alps) and Shirakawago (traditional Japanese farmhouses and Ogimachi, a World Cultural and Heritage site), and Gero Onsen (one of the top hot spring areas in Gifu). Gifu Prefecture is a must for any visitor who wishes to see some of the prettiest places in the Japanese countryside.
Wrocław is a city on the Oder River in western Poland. It’s known for its Market Square, lined with elegant townhouses and featuring a modern fountain. Also on the square is the Gothic Old Town Hall, with its large astronomical clock. Nearby is the Panorama of Racławice, a painting depicting the 1794 battle for independence. The Centennial Hall auditorium, with its giant dome and tall spire, lies across the river.
Padua is a city in Northern Italy’s Veneto region. It’s known for the frescoes by Giotto in its Scrovegni Chapel from 1303–05 and the vast 13th-century Basilica of St. Anthony. The basilica, with its Byzantine-style domes and notable artworks, contains the namesake saint’s tomb. In Padua’s old town are arcaded streets and stylish cafes frequented by students of the University of Padua, established in 1222.
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