Nate Soule

Stand by the shores of Casco Bay on the coast of Maine and you may expect to find ocean as far as the eye can see. Instead seemingly endless islands dot the seascape.

For New Englanders a tropical island seems about as remote as the Pyramids. A summer getaway to the beach usually means a trip to the Cape or to Maine where while the rocky shores may look beautiful, the water is somewhat less than welcoming.

In the middle of San Francisco bay, framed by some of the most beautiful and majestic views in the country lies Alcatraz Island. A federal penitentiary is not usually included on the list of one’s vacation plans, however the history and beauty...

When you think of castles, such places as Windsor, Sterling, and London come to mind. One might not expect that San Francisco, California should be added to this list.