Overview

Introduction

On New Zealand's North Island, across the Firth of Thames and 70 mi/115 km east of Auckland, the rugged Coromandel Peninsula offers spectacular scenery. The drive along the coast winds past bays, beaches and green fields edged with cliffs that plunge into the sea. Trips into the interior bush let visitors get a look at gold-mine ruins, waterfalls, ancient kauri trees, and plenty of tree ferns and birds. This is a popular destination in summer.

Whitianga, on the northeast coast, makes a good base for exploring the area. Don't miss beautiful Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach (where you can dig a hole in the sand at low tide and sit in it while hot water bubbles to the surface), both near Hahei. Be aware that Hot Water Beach isn't safe for swimming because of dangerous undertows.

Take the unpaved 309 Road between Whitianga and the town of Coromandel (it's about an hour's drive) to see the peninsula's interior, complete with waterfalls and a grove of kauri trees. Pauanui is a favorite holiday town among Auckland's wealthy set. When driving around, keep in mind that though distances may appear short on a map, it takes more time than you expect to travel the peninsula's small, winding roads.

Overview

Introduction

Overview

Introduction

Casa de Campo is what put La Romana, Dominican Republic, a sugar-mill town 50 mi/80 km east of Santo Domingo, on the tourism map. An internationally known resort that touts itself as the finest in the Caribbean, Casa de Campo is set in vast grounds (7,000 acres/2,800 hectares) and was partially designed by fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, a Dominican native who is invested in the property. Altos de Chavon is an extension and integral part of Casa de Campo, as is the marina, and both offer world class sports and outdoor activities ranging from watersports to polo.

This southeastern region of the Dominican Republic has long grown beyond Casa de Campo, and has become one of its prime destinations—for good reason. Just 10 mi/16 km east of La Romana city, hugging the Caribbean Sea, is the fishing village of Bayahibe, with its two principal beach areas of Bayahibe and Dominicus. Bayahibe attracts thousands of visitors who seek out a Caribbean setting and outdoor activities, not to mention the idyllic offshore islands of Saona and Catalina. Aside from long, fine white sand beaches, the friendly pedestrian Bayahibe is lined with local and international restaurants, and offers a slew of adventures in nature thanks to the nearby Parque Nacional del Este's trails and islands, teeming with mangroves and marine life.

Must See or Do

Sights—The stunning beaches and crystal waters of Saona Island; medieval architecture and panoramic views at Altos de Chavon.

Museums—Take in the full range of Taino history and artifacts at the Altos de Chavon Regional Museum of Archaeology in Casa de Campo; visit explorer Ponce de Leon's former home in nearby Boca de Yuma.

Memorable Meals—Dockside dining and fresh seafood at La Casita; Italian fare at La Piazetta; lionfish coupled with a mojito at Saona Cafe.

Late Night—Dancing at Onno's. Bar

Walks—Strolling the Padre Nuestro Trail at the Parque Nacional del Este.

Overview

Introduction

When you arrive at Oman's ancient city of Nizwa, surrounded by mountains and desert, you'll encounter an unusual piece of roadside sculpture: a giant Arabic coffee urn surrounded by silver-lined cups. This modern rendition of a traditional symbol of Arab hospitality could stand for Oman's intriguing combination of old and new. Long isolated from the rest of the world, Oman only recently began welcoming travelers inside its borders. But even as it has opened its doors to the world and brought modern improvements to the remotest villages, it has also retained many of its traditional desert ways. Along the coast, boatbuilders in small fishing villages still craft dhows by hand. Inland, Bedouins carve out their living on rocky terraces, their villages perched on the precipices of a yawning gorge.

Travelers could also see the giant urn as a kind of magic lamp beckoning them to one of the most exotic places in the world: to wild desert villages and palm-lined oases, where women wear black silk robes and brightly hued masks, and men wear ankle-length robes and colorful cashmere turbans. But for those who prefer the more comfortable pleasures a genie might offer, there are also luxurious tropical seaside resorts, with opportunities for scuba diving and fishing.

Although Oman is not for everyone, it is certain to charm those with an eye for natural beauty and an interest in Arabic tradition.

One of the oldest states on the Arabian Peninsula, Oman was once an important sultanate whose influence was felt as far away as Zanzibar and Pakistan (it sent an ambassador to the U.S. in the 19th century). Today its people reflect a mixture of African, Indian and Arabian influences. Its customs are shaped by those cultures, overlaid by a very thin veneer of British practices (the British were dominant in the area from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries).

Oman doesn't boast the extraordinary oil wealth of its neighbor, the United Arab Emirates, but the standard of living is still much higher in Oman than in many other Arab countries. Roads, electricity, water, health clinics and schools have arrived in even the most remote mountain villages. The economy remains among the best managed in the region. Although the population enjoys some political representation through a consultative parliament set up after the Gulf War in 1991, the country remains essentially an autocratic monarchy in which the line between the state and the Omani ruling family is blurred.

Geography

Vaguely boomerang-shaped, the Sultanate of Oman lies along the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula and occupies a land mass roughly equal to the U.S. state of Kansas. Its eastern side is bordered by the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. This coastline, which extends well over 1,000 mi/1,610 km, is remarkably picturesque and contains most of Oman's key cities and towns.

Beyond the western edge of Oman are the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Yemen lies to the south. Spectacular spiny mountains in the northern and southern ends of the country enliven what is otherwise mostly a sparsely populated desert landscape.

History

Traces of ancient civilizations dating to the third century BC have been found around Oman, but the country's recognizable history really begins with the arrival of Arab tribes roughly 2,000 years ago. The state of Oman, founded by some of the earliest converts to Islam, was created in the eighth century AD.

Because the nation occupied a strategic position on the trade route between India and the West, European powers began to take an interest in Oman during the 1600s. In 1507, Portugal captured the capital of Masqat, but was expelled by 1650. The sultan of Oman began cultivating trade relationships with Britain, which quietly but significantly influenced Omani affairs for some three centuries.

Oman reached the height of its power and influence during the first half of the 19th century, under the rule of Sayyid Said bin Sultan. Alliances with the British government ensured military protection for Oman, allowing it to expand its territories and trade outposts. A second capital was established in Omani-controlled Zanzibar, which is about 25 mi/40 km off the coast of present-day Tanzania, and the nation also held sway in southerly parts of the Arabian Peninsula and coastal areas of modern Pakistan. By the 1850s, a crisis of succession led to a split in the Omani empire—one ruler controlled Zanzibar, the other took the Arabian lands—and the nation slid into a century of economic decline and political weakness. Tribes from the interior periodically mounted attacks on the rulers in Masqat. By the 1960s, Oman was closed to the outside world and economically stagnant.

That same year, Oman's current leader, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, staged a palace coup against his father, seizing power and starting the country on a modernization drive to educate the populace and build the nation's infrastructure. Tourism to Oman only began in the 1980s.

Snapshot

Oman's foremost attractions are desert sand dunes, 400-year-old forts, ancient ruins, beaches, mountains, oases, traditional bazaars, scuba diving, camel treks and Arab culture.

Oman will appeal to travelers who are willing to abide by laws and customs that may seem conservative and restrictive in order to see a relatively untouched country.

Potpourri

Of Oman's population of 2.9 million, some 600,000 are expatriates, and some of them are doing rather unusual jobs. During one of our trips, we met a Scot who was working as the chief repairer of bagpipes for the sultan's army band.

The country is home to the Arabian tahr, a rare variety of mountain goat, and large reserves of Arabian oryx.

As just one indicator of how undeveloped Oman once was, in 1970, it only had about 2 mi/3 km of paved road.

According to legend, Sinbad the Sailor departed for his seafaring adventures from the port of Sohar. The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor is a collection of travel-romance tales found in The Book of One Thousand and One Nights.

After years of bad blood, Oman and Yemen have finally established a permanent border. A paved highway now connects the two countries.

The workweek in Oman is Saturday-Wednesday.

The Sultan is a strong proponent of public cleanliness and hygiene, sometimes offering prizes to the country's cleanest towns. In 2003, Masqat was bestowed a Cleanest City award by the U.N.

Oman was converted to Islam during the prophet Muhammad's lifetime.

Women traditionally wear colorful garments from head to toe, leaving only the face and hands exposed. Women in rural areas wear leather or cloth masks (burkas).

Oman is one of the world's main producers of frankincense, which was valued as highly as gold in antiquity. It's also traditionally burned in new homes to ward off evil spirits.

Overview

Introduction

Romania's modern history is as haunting as its old Dracula legend: The brutal reign of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu ended in 1989, but the country is still plagued by a past of poverty and political uncertainty.

Its capital, Bucharest, has come a long way in its post-communist hangover. Some of the massive potholes have been filled, and the roaming street dogs are gone, but now it suffers from the same polluting traffic as any other major European city.

And yet Romania offers an entirely different culture from what you'll find elsewhere in Europe. It has some of the most stunning mountain scenery on the continent, and many parts of the countryside seem untouched by modern history.

For adventurous travelers, the eerie castles, charming medieval villages and painted monasteries hidden away in deep forests more than make up for the often-drab cities and the irritating bureaucracy that lingers from the country's communist past.

Geography

History

Ethnic Romanians, who make up 85% of the population, trace the nation's history to the Roman colony of Dacia. Turkish and European influences are evident (the area was part of the Ottoman Empire until 1877), although the eight regions of the country remain characteristically very different. Perhaps because it's composed of formerly independent parts, people identify with their local regions.

There is a strong Hungarian influence in Transylvania (once part of Hungary), which has only been united with Romania since 1918. And debate continues to this day over the future nationality of the area. (Saxon merchants moved in during the 12th century to defend Hungary's eastern borders.)

In 1916, Romania joined the side of the Triple Entente in World War I, eventually overthrowing Communist leader Bela Kun in Hungary. However, the country's government was unstable after the war, and between 1930 and 1940, there were more than 25 different administrations. Following World War II, the newly crowned King Mihai attempted to keep a broad-based government but was forced to abdicate in 1947 under pressure from the Communists. Romania then became a People's Republic.

Nicolae Ceausescu assumed leadership of Romania's Communist party—and the country—in the mid-1960s. His administration was notorious for cracking down on dissent among the people, who were suffering from shortages of food, fuel and other basic necessities.

The country's violent revolution of December 1989, which led to the execution of Ceausescu, left most of the ruling elite intact. Former Communist Ion Iliescu took the reins and, when he lost re-election in 1996, made history by being Romania's first leader to leave peacefully without being deposed or shot. His successors have struggled to modernize the country, and foreign investment has finally arrived.

Romania was invited to join NATO in 2002, and it became a member of the European Union in 2007. The country is actively boosting its economy via tourism. It

Snapshot

The country's main attractions are rural landscapes, medieval monasteries, wine country, sites relating to Count Dracula, Black Sea beaches, folk and classical cultural traditions, and skiing.

Romania will appeal to travelers who love haunting rural scenery, folk culture and outdoor activities. Be prepared to ride on winding mountain roads to get to some of the more interesting parts of the country. The country is not for those who demand deluxe accommodations throughout their stay.

Potpourri

If you peek into a countryside church and there's a wedding going on, expect to be invited to join the festivities and share in the food and drink that are brought to the ceremony.

Romanians are serious about their health spas: More than 1,000 Romanian doctors specialize in balneology—the science of using mineral baths for therapeutic treatment.

Because Romanian is a Romance language, certain words may seem similar to people who are familiar with Spanish, Italian or French. For example, supa is the word for soup, and buna seara means good evening.

In 1884, Timisoara was the first city in Europe to have electric street lamps.

The film industry has taken off in Romania, so don't be surprised if you are eating dinner next to a celebrity such as Nicole Kidman, Keifer Sutherland or Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Overview

Introduction

Granted, the notion of Germany's Romantische Strasse (Romantic Road) was simply a marketing scheme of the 1950s, but it was a good one. Some of the prettiest towns in Germany are scattered along the route, a fact that millions of tourists discover every year.

The route stretches from Wurzburg in the north to Fussen in the south. It passes through Tauberbischofsheim (a medieval town), Bad Mergentheim (home to a spa), Weikersheim (a former palace), Rottingen, Rothenburg, Feuchtwangen, Dinkelsbuhl, Nordlingen (with perfectly preserved medieval walls), Harburg (with an impressive castle), Augsburg and Schongau.

Take at least three days to see this area, spending time anywhere that appeals to you.

Overview

Introduction

Lying 15 mi/32 km off the southeastern coast of Pahang in peninsular Malaysia, this small tropical island was the stand-in for the mythical Bali Ha'i in the film South Pacific in the 1950s (none of the film was shot on the island). Since then, tourism development there has been sporadic, with mainly budget chalets for European backpackers dotting the island's many tiny coves. In truth, Tioman's beaches tend to be short and rocky, which is not ideal for swimming but great for snorkeling and scuba, two highly recommended activities.

There are no roads on Tioman Island, but it can be explored by boat. Most resorts and local boat owners offer tours. Stops on tours typically take in a waterfall at Mutuk village, the mountainous twin peaks at the southern end of the island known as the Dragon's Horns, and snorkeling in the marine park. The island's main village, Tekek, is home to many duty-free shops that sell alcohol, cigarettes and souvenirs.

Most accommodations tend to be simple, and there's only one upscale development on the island, the Berjaya Tioman Island Resort (which also has a golf course). Salang Beach is a popular place to stay. It has some midrange as well as budget accommodations, a few bars and some good fish barbecue restaurants. Tioman is easier to reach than many of the east coast islands, with charter flights available from Kuala Lumpur; otherwise, transport is by small boat from the coastal town of Mersing (this is rather tedious as it involves a long drive from Kuala Lumpur and then the boat journey). The limited access to the islands of the east coast is not beneficial for tourism. However, for those who like life in the slow lane and are planning an extended stay on one of the islands, they are idyllic.