Sites For Your Eyes, A Travel Series

High above its famous beaches and swanky resorts, the Alpes-Maritimes is a mountainous region in the extreme southeast corner of France. It is here, just an hour drive from Nice, where the valleys reveal their secret riches; where mountains rise majestically, where many smart travelers prefer to appreciate the views of the French Riviera / Cote d' Azure's hypnotizing blue seas. Skip Cannes.

Situated in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, Andalusia is a tourist region rich in both beauty and history. From the city of Cadiz, built upon a rock, which was once one of the richest ports in Europe, to the beaches of Tarifa, a favorite spot for kite surfing and night owls, we meet the people and learn of the traditions that the inhabitants of this region call home.

The Stockholm archipelago is undoubtedly the most fragmented geographic area in Europe. A jigsaw puzzle of 30,000 islands, each offers an invitation to discover its inhabitants and diversity. It is in this Nordic paradise that we learn of the customs, laws and lifestyles of one of the world's richest cities.

Going north to south, Baja California reveals an unexpected face of Mexico: a nature that is wild and untouched, endless beaches of fine sand, a succession of blue water inlets and lagoons, vast tracts of desert punctuated by giant cacti, rugged sierras and dizzying canyons. By way of the highest mountains on the peninsula, this is a journey over a California that is too Mexican to be American.

A short ferry ride from Lorient, France, lies the picturesque island of Groix. Known for its beaches, coastal paths and small villages and hamlets, Groix provides a relaxing way of life for its local residents. It is in this setting that we meet three islanders who have recently dropped anchor on Groix, each looking for a new identity and life.

Sprawling between ocean and mountains, splintered into a host of neighborhoods with a population of more than ten million, Los Angeles is the second biggest metropolis in the United States. They say Los Angeles is a futile but fascinating city, a city like no other that lies somewhere between cliché' and reality. Discover the grandeur of celebrity.

From the sumptuous Amalfi coast to the isle of Procida by way of the Sorrento Peninsula and Capri, this is Naples! From encounter to encounter, this is a portrait of this region of Italy, noted as a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. The exploration is by both ground and air, with some unexpected encounters in this capital of opera. Rick Steves and Rudy Maxa are regulars.

Listed as one of the most beautiful bays not only in Europe, but on the planet, the Gulf of Morbihan is a miniature world in itself, an area that is both marine and river, where fishing ports and tiny, comfortable towns sit side by side. A mosaic of landscapes and stories, Morbihan welcomes you to its rich land of colors and contrasts on this lonely planet.

Situated to the west of the Pacific, almost 750 miles away from Australia, New Caledonia is where you will find the largest lagoon on this lonely planet. A coral universe of breath-taking beauty, the lagoon is resident to countless marine species and is both the pantry and the incredible playground of the archipelago's inhabitants. A scuba diving paradise. A bikini destination.

New rules are being enacted to ensure that the extraordinary natural heritage of the Tremiti Islands in the Puglia region, known here as the "pearls of the Adriatic,"remain unaffected by ever-increasing tourism. Within the Torre Guaceto natural reserve, a system of sustainable fishing is bringing fresh life to the fishing banks on this breathtakingly beautiful coastline.

In the south of Brittany, between Lorient and Vannes, in the shade of the neighboring Gulf of Morbihan, the Ria Etel runs some fifteen miles from the coast to the Morbihan countryside. Studded with islets, creeks, forests and cultivated fields, yet so close to the open sea, the Ria Etel provides a multitude of faces and places for a globe trekker to discover.

Thanks to its beautiful beaches, the Casamance area is one of Africa's most popular tourist destinations. But as one journeys up the Casamance River and into the region's interior, a very different image is revealed. In this area of Senegal, split up into many islands, lives the Jola, a proud and autonomous ethnic group committed to preserving their independence and culture. Adventure travel.

A fountain of life and a historic communications channel, the St. Lawrence is the heart and soul of Quebec. Its sole existence is dependent on this river-ocean. This is a journey to meet those who love, and cannot live without the permanent spectacle offered by the seaway's sheer beauty. Nothing would drag them away from the banks of this stream of life.

Known for their breathtaking beauty and sparse population, the Outer Hebrides islands off the west coast of Scotland offer craggy mountains, magnificent lochs and outstanding beaches of fine, white sand. A playground for hikers, mountain bikers and lovers of the sea. Seen by few but dreamt of by many, they are a visual masterpiece, a Site For Your Eyes.