A surfer riding the crest of a giant wave off the coast of Hawaii

The US national parks are vast areas where the landscapes have been preserved almost in their original state. In this article, we have compiled a list of the ‘big five’ most iconic places in the country: from the mist-shrouded forests of the Great Smoky Mountains to the deep gorges of the Grand Canyon.

The Lofoten Archipelago in north-western Norway is a place where conventional notions of Arctic landscapes are completely overturned. In this article, we’ll journey to the edge of the earth to find out why the Lofoten Islands never experience extreme cold, how old fishermen’s huts have become iconic accommodation for travellers, and why photographers from all over the world flock here.

In the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, exactly halfway between Scotland and Iceland, lies an archipelago of 18 basalt islands. Today, the Faroe Islands attract those seeking crystalline silence and a complete reset, far from the digital clamour.