Taipa is a historical village situated on an island connected to the Macau peninsula by three bridges. This charming area features a colonial promenade, fascinating temples, stately churches, and picturesque markets. Don't miss the opportunity to savour the street food on Rua do Cunha, Taipa's most famous pedestrian street.

Spanning 140 acres, with 55 acres under cultivation, the Desert Botanical Garden showcases over 50,000 plants in carefully curated outdoor exhibits. From towering cacti to vibrant desert wildflowers, this oasis celebrates the resilience and splendor of plants adapted to arid environments. Visitors can begin their journey at the Ottosen Entry Garden and then explore the winding Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Loop Trail or the Desert Discovery Loop Trail. The latter serves as the garden’s main artery, connecting visitors to all trails, exhibits, and seasonal art installations. With educational programs, desert conservation efforts, and stunning nighttime exhibits like Las Noches de las Luminarias, the Desert Botanical Garden offers a fascinating and immersive experience for nature lovers, photographers, and families alike.

Nestled near the Desert Botanical Garden, the Phoenix Zoo is home to a diverse range of animals from all over the world, with a special focus on the wildlife of the Sonoran Desert. The zoo features expansive exhibits where you can observe native creatures like coyotes, mountain lions, and desert tortoises up close. For a more immersive experience, the zoo offers interactive opportunities, including camel rides, stingray touch tanks, and a petting zoo where kids can brush and feed goats. In addition to its animal encounters, the Phoenix Zoo hosts daily educational programs and seasonal events such as ZooLights, where the park transforms into a winter wonderland of sparkling lights.

In 1832, Russia began construction of the fortress of Bomarsund. Since Åland then constituted the westernmost part of Czarist Russia and had a location of strategic importance, Russia desired a strong military presence and an impressive fortress there. During the Crimean War, in 1854, an Anglo-French naval force attacked the fortress, which resulted in the Battle of Bomarsund. The fortress was demolished and today only ruins (and the Bomarsund Museum) serve testament to Russian presence and the grandiose plans once wielded for Åland. If you wish to find out more about this part of the struggle between the great powers during the Crimean War, visit Bomarsund, and watch the film “Bomarsund, vägen till fred” ("the road to peace").