Our world is truly magnificent. Anywhere you might look, whether on the trodden track or where there may be no track at all, you will find testaments to nature’s grandeur and humanity’s resilience. Those may come in the form of natural wonders like the Grand Canyon or the Amazon Rainforest, or as architectural and engineering masterworks like the Eiffel Tower and the Great Wall of China.
This week, we’ve asked some of our Intensive English students to share their favorite places in their home countries. The gallery of images below highlights their responses and invites you to take in a few more of our Earth’s wonders, showcasing nearly every corner of the globe through the diversity of our students.
Rebeca: Villa de Leyva, Colombia
Boasting scenic views and a relaxed, rustic atmosphere, Villa de Leyva has something for everyone. About a three-hour drive northeast from Bogotá, Colombia’s capital, Villa de Leyva sits just below the mountains in the Boyacá department. Rebeca said “the weather [is] always cold, the people are friendly, and every place is close…you can walk all [the] time or around the [town],” which is her favorite place in her home country of Colombia.
The food scene in Villa de Leyva also has a lot to offer. “It has the best restaurant to eat meat and drink wine,” Rebeca said. If it’s a sweet treat you’re after, Rebeca recommended finding “a delicious dessert [called] milhojas, [which] is a candy with caramel, cream, and thin, crunchy bread.”
Mako: Yakushima Island, Japan
Just south of the Japanese mainland lies the island of Yakushima, a paradise for nature lovers and seafood lovers alike. Mako said this island is her favorite place in her home country of Japan. “There is a lot of nature in Yakushima,” Mako said. “There are wild monkeys and deer that we can see on the road when driving…we can enjoy visiting a huge waterfall [and] hiking [in the] mountains.” After a busy day hiking in nature, visitors can enjoy “unique seafood, such as whales and flying fish,” Mako said.
Mako said one of her favorite things to do on her visits is listen to stories of the people living on Yakushima. “I feel relaxed when I hear them,” Mako said. The locals on Yakushima Island enjoy a peaceful and simple way of life, lending even more to the island’s natural beauty.
Armando: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, with its charming Zona Romantica neighborhood and warm sea air, is Armando’s favorite place in his home country of Mexico. Located along the Pacific coast in the state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta “has the most beautiful beach in all [of] Mexico,” Armando said.
If you’re looking for the perfect picture-taking spot, “El Cerro de la Cruz is an [overlook] to [view] the sea and part of the city,” Armando said. Once you come back from the mountain, head over to the Zona Romantica, “a [historical] neighborhood with cobblestone streets, dining, and a lively nightlife scene,” Armando said. The vibrance of the neighborhood is sure to be a great end to a long day of sightseeing and relaxing on the beach in Puerto Vallarta.
Diane: Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil
While most might think of the Pacific as the ocean with the best islands, the Atlantic also has a few incredible ones to explore. Part of the northeastern state of Pernambuco in Brazil, Fernando de Noronha Island lies about 350 miles (about 550 kilometers) from Recife, the state’s capital. This small, idyllic island is Diane’s favorite place in her home country of Brazil. Fernando de Noronha has a “small city [and] many beautiful beaches,” Diane said.
On her visit to the island, Diane said the city of Vila dos Remédios “is [secure] and calm,” and that “the people there were friendly.” Diane also said the beaches are so pristine that when she and her husband went swimming, they could see the fish swimming with them in the water. Another paradise for photographers, “the beaches are very clean and the sunset there is perfect,” Diane said about the island.
Fatih: Eskişehir, Türkiye
In Fatih’s home country of Türkiye, his favorite place is the city where he was born: Eskişehir. Located in the northwestern part of the country, between Istanbul and Ankara, Eskişehir “is [a] very calm and relaxing city…[and] you can visit many places,” Fatih said. The castle pictured above might seem familiar; it is based off the Disneyland Castle in Orlando. About the castle, Fatih said that “you can enter [the] building sometimes [and] there are very cute Disney characters inside.”
There is also a large lake near the castle, Fatih said, where “you can see [people] riding their boats while you are walking or eating dessert.” When he visited the castle, Fatih said he was very impressed with the architecture and aesthetic. Eskişehir also boasts nearby archaeological sites and three universities, making it a prime destination for scholars and history lovers as well.
If you enjoyed reading about these diverse places favored by our Intensive English students, stay tuned here on our blog for the next part in this series. We will feature five more students and their favorite destinations, sharing with us all an important slice of their home countries.