An island nation of otherworldly beauty, Iceland is steeped in myth and legend. When exploring the country, that lens of Scandinavian folklore and Viking history makes for an enchanting experience.

Summer is synonymous with family vacations. It’s the season for relaxed schedules and school breaks, and a yearning to be outdoors. Often, families wonder which destination offers something for everyone. The answer is surprisingly simple: A voyage to Alaska aboard Seven Seas Explorer® will satisfy everyone's interest, from the discerning gourmand to the adventurous teenager to the birding enthusiast.

The first time Mari saw Italy was in the film Cinema Paradiso directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. Lush panoramas, a bustling piazza anchored by a church and its belltower, women making tomato paste on wooden boards — it all captured her imagination. She immediately made plans to one day visit the enchanting village of Giancaldo, only to discover that there was no such town by that name.

Curious about the Amazon, which represents about half of the Earth's remaining rainforest? The mighty Amazon River measures at least 4,000 miles...the distance from New York City to Rome — and is the world's largest. Its westernmost source is high in the Andes Mountains, within 100 miles of the Pacific Ocean, and it empties into the Atlantic on the northeastern coast of Brazil. It is the world's single largest reserve of biological resources, yet, its most valuable plant offerings remain a mystery to most.

In this article, Joe Wall from Regent Seven Seas Cruises takes a closer look at these rainforest plants, starting with popular foods and then varieties used for medicinal purposes.