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Baa Atoll is particularly distinctive for two reasons: Its emphasis is on luxury ecotourism, and it's the home of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. There are about eight resorts in the entire atoll, and all are five-star. They include Anantara Kihavah, which has an underwater nightclub, as well as S...
Baalbek, in the northern Bekaa Valley, 55 mi/85 km east of Beirut, has the most impressive classical ruins in Lebanon, and it's one of the most important Roman sites in the Middle East. Although the town predates Roman times, little is left of the Phoenician city of Baal or the subsequent Greek ci...
The country's largest island (often called "the Big Island") has waterfalls, jungles, Japanese wartime ruins, ancient stone pillars and carvings, interesting caves and remote villages. At the southwestern tip of the island is the international airport. Nearby is the village of Airai. The settlement ...
The "Gate of God" (from the Greek word babel ) was the site of one of the first important civilizations of the world (2350-322 BC). The ancient capital, where King Nebuchadnezzar lived and Alexander the Great died, was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—the Hanging Gardens of Bab...
About 25 mi/40 km northwest of Chetumal is the town of Bacalar, home to Bacalar Lagoon (the second-largest lagoon in Mexico) and the Spanish-built Fort San Felipe (noted for its museum of weapons and military uniforms but not always open). Bacalar is in the southeastern part of the Yucatan peninsu...
Bad Gastein, Austria, is a famous health spa, casino and ski area, much of which dates back to the 1500s. It is set in the spectacular Gastein Valley 50 mi/80 km south of Salzburg. From the train station, the town plunges into a steep valley with church spires and rustic lodges stacked one on top of...
The lovely baroque town of Bad Ischl, Austria, located 30 mi/50 km southeast of Salzburg, was the summer residence of Emperor Franz Josef and other royal family members. The royal Kaiservilla, located in a large park north of town, houses some of the emperor's many hunting trophies as well as the ...
The bucolic lakeside setting of Baddeck, Nova Scotia, proved irresistible to Alexander Graham Bell, who spent his last 37 summers there. Today, the little resort town (pronounced BAH-deck ) remembers him at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic site, which includes a museum and grounds overlo...
Baden is a pleasant town set among wooded hills on the Limmat River, 15 mi/24 km northwest of Zurich, and famous for its thermal sulfur springs—they are richer in minerals than any other thermal spring in Switzerland. Apart from the enticing spa facilities and a casino, Baden also has an impressiv...
Lying 70 mi/113 km west of Stuttgart, Baden-Baden is the Black Forest's (and perhaps Germany's) most famous and luxurious spa. It has many fine old-world-style hotels where visitors sometimes spend weeks relaxing and "taking the cure" in the town's famed mineral waters. (Some of the thermal springs ...
Located just southeast of the Black Hills, the Badlands is an area of steep canyons, jagged spires and bands of colorful rocks, whose appearance comes from half a million years of water erosion. Under the pressure of the elements, the land has eroded into odd shapes and fissured slopes. These format...
These northern Arctic islands rank as one of the most exotic destinations in the world. Only the most adventurous travelers should seek out destinations beyond the few towns of Baffin Island. Most visits begin with a scheduled flight to Iqaluit (pronounced ee-KA-loo-eet ), the island's largest c...
It's a pity that most people visit this city of 130,000 only as a stopover on their way to Foumban. Bafoussam, a center of the Bamileke people, has its own attractions—notably its colorful markets offering beautiful Bamileke wood carvings. The nearby town of Bandjoun is the home of one of Cameroo...
Located 100 mi/160 km southwest of Mandalay, Bagan, Myanmar, is a must-see. Now a sleepy village, it was founded in AD 849 and became the center of an empire that reached north to Tibet and south to Bangkok. The ruins of more than 4,000 temples are scattered across 16 sq mi/41 sq km of fields surrou...
Founded in AD 762 on the west bank of the Tigris River, Baghdad was built as a city surrounded by a circular wall, with five gates. Only one of them, the restored Wastani Gate, is still in good condition. Almost nothing—except the gate and a carved marble prayer niche in the Khasaki Mosque—remains o...
Bago, Myanmar, a city of 135,000, makes an excellent day trip from Yangon, just 50 mi/80 km away. Visit the Shwemawdaw Pagoda and the impressive Shwethalyaung Buddha—at 180 ft/55 m, it's one of the country's largest reclining Buddhas. The city streets are a good place for people-watching. A day tr...
Baguio, Philippines, is a resort city 130 mi/210 km north of Manila where the heat-weary residents of Manila go when they want to take a vacation. The air is cool, there's a great golf course and the atmosphere is relaxing—though the earthquake of 1990 and economic deterioration have taken a toll on...
When Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World, he did so in the Bahamas, although the exact island where he landed is still a matter of debate. (San Salvador is the popular favorite, and a white cross marks the spot where he supposedly landed.) He didn't stay long, however, being intent...
Overview Introduction On the edge of the Cholistan Desert, Bahawalpur has interesting forts, a museum, royal palaces and beautiful paper-thin black-clay pottery. Also, visit the Lal Suhanra National Park (22 mi/36 km east of town), which has lakes and a 77,480-acre/31,360-hectare forest. Also nea...
Bahia Blanca, Argentina, was founded in 1828 and originally named Fortaleza Protectora Argentina. There are not a lot of attractions, though there are some cultural and wildlife activities. Of note is the Museo del Puerto (the Port Museum), while a nature reserve encompassing several islands is also...
Bahia Kino, a resort area about 200 mi/320 km south of Nogales, attracts people from Tucson and Phoenix, who drive down to spend long weekends. The coast is the main attraction in Bahia Kino, and the Seri Indians who live north of town sell ironwood carvings in the market. There's also a small Ser...
With its pleasant mix of Arab culture and Western conveniences, Bahrain has long been one of the most accessible countries in the Persian Gulf region. Travelers can enjoy Bahrain's traditional attractions—such as sailing a dhow or bargaining in a souk (marketplace)—and then relax at one of its comfo...
Bahrain is the largest and most heavily populated of the nation's islands. Use the capital city, Manama, as a base for exploration: Two days should be enough to see the attractions around the capital. Just outside town is the Suq al Khamis mosque, the oldest on the island (built in AD 1058). From t...
Near the Ukrainian and Hungarian borders, Baia Mare is a bit off the beaten track, but if time permits, plan two days to see it and the surrounding area. Baia Mare is the center of the mountainous Maramures region, which is noted for its fascinating folklore and small villages, where the residents s...
Formerly called Leninsk, Baikonur, Kazakhstan, was renamed by former Russian President Boris Yeltsin in 1995. It is 590 mi/950 km northwest of Almaty. Considered the launching pad to the stars, this settlement is home to the Baikonur Cosmodrome, a vast Russian-controlled piece of land used for mann...
Bainbridge Island, Washington, is accessible via a 35-minute ferry ride from Seattle's Pier 52 terminal. The main town on the island, Winslow, is home to a number of restaurants as well as an art museum. Be sure to visit the internationally known Bloedel Reserve. The ferry ride back to Seattle is ...
Surrounded by mountains, this town has a National Historic District with many Victorian buildings, highlighted by the 1889 Geiser Grand Hotel, which is still sparkling from its multimillion-dollar renovation in 1997. The town also has the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center at Flagstaff Hill, which ove...
Azerbaijan's ancient capital, founded 1,500 years ago, has nice beaches, spas and a striking setting on the salty Caspian Sea (the world's largest inland body of water). Once one of the Roman Empire's easternmost cities, Baku is 55 ft/17 m below sea level (the Caspian Sea lies below sea level). The ...
The small town of Balboa, Panama, is at the Pacific end of the canal and adjacent to Panama City. Once part of the U.S.-controlled Canal Zone, its former military buildings, barracks and officers' quarters have been converted to shops, offices, schools and luxury homes. The big buildings, broad tree...
Set in the southeastern highlands, the Bale Mountains are a walker's paradise, offering endless opportunities for casual rambling and serious hiking. Scenically, the highlight is the Afro-Alpine moorland of the Sanetti Plateau, which is studded with giant lobelias and chilly tarns and provides the m...
The four inhabited islands of the Balearic archipelago lie in the Mediterranean east of Valencia and Barcelona and are reached from both cities by ferry. Together they make up one of Europe's most popular holiday playgrounds. Mallorca —The largest island is also the location of the capital city, ...
Located 600 mi/965 km east of Jakarta, the island of Bali is among the most popular stops in Indonesia, and it's no wonder why. The island's friendly people, Hindu culture, rhythmic dances, volcanoes, sculptured rice paddies, spectacular beaches, and beautiful jungle and mountain scenery—combined w...
Overview Introduction This ancient town served as headquarters for Alexander the Great for two years after his invasion in 328 BC—inevitably, he renamed it Alexandria after himself. During a campaign to subdue the northern tribes threatening Balkh, Alexander married a local chief's daughter, Roxe...
Germany's Baltic Coast is home to several popular vacation spots. The lovely island of Rugen in the Baltic Sea is also Germany's largest. It can seem a bit overcrowded in summer and is best visited in May, June and September. The main beach resort towns are located on the southeastern coast: Binz, S...
Baltimore, Maryland, is a special blend of historic and contemporary, as development around the city suggests. And the city offers plenty of things for visitors to see and do. There is quite possibly no better example of this than Camden Yards, the baseball stadium for the Baltimore Orioles, whic...
Overview Introduction Baltsi is a tough, grimy and polluted industrial town. It has a winery, but don't bother trying to visit unless you can get a special invitation from the government. Attractions include an enormous Lenin mural on the side of what was once the Lenin factory, which is now an a...
Overview Introduction In northeastern Java, this is a forested area dominated by Mount Baluran. It was once known as "Indonesia's Africa" because of its savanna grasslands, but they're largely gone now—as is much of the birdlife. There are deer and water buffalo in the park, as well as two guesth...
Overview Introduction Figurines, graves and earthenware jugs present evidence that the area around Balzers was first settled about 3000 BC. In 1817, the first official philatelic center in the world was established there. Have a look at Gutenberg Castle (the private property was built in the 11th...
Overview Introduction The highlight of historic Bam had long been Arg-e-Qadeem-e Bam, a mud-walled citadel whose foundation dated back some 2,000 years. But a devastating earthquake in December 2003 killed more than 20,000 Bam residents and flattened about 60% of the structures in the city, inclu...
Mali's capital city, which lies astride the Niger River, is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa and a great place to just people-watch and walk around. Although the original colonial-style Grand Marche burned down in 1993, the merchants continue to set up their stalls inside the market groun...
Bamberg, 39 mi/63 km north of Nuremberg, is one of the prettiest towns in Germany. It was founded in the 10th century but didn't come to prominence until the 11th century, when the Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich II built his imperial cathedral there. Bamberg has one of the quirkier town halls of the...
This town (pop. 63,000) in the country's English-speaking region is a center for arts and crafts and has several handicraft shops. The surrounding area offers good mountain hikes, which are best undertaken during the dry season, when there is less chance of mud, fewer insects and better views. The n...
Overview Introduction Though horribly vandalized by the Taliban, Bamian remains one of the most extraordinary sites in Afghanistan. It was once world famous as an ancient center of Buddhist learning, and in its heyday (from the fifth to eighth centuries AD), the valley boasted more than 100 monas...
Overview Introduction This oyster-shell-shaped island was once an important phosphate-mining site. (An unscrupulous British colonial officer got a 999-year lease in exchange for 50 pounds sterling a year. The lease was later rescinded.) Production of phosphate ceased in 1979, and the desolate isl...
The Banda Islands are a miniarchipelago made up of 10 small volcanic and coral islands 125 mi/200km southeast of Ambon (seven are settled). They were highly sought after by the European colonial powers because of their ideal conditions for cultivating valuable spices (nutmeg, cloves and mace). These...
Named after the current Sultan's father (Bandar simply means "town"), Brunei's capital is a pleasant mix of modern and old. Bandar Seri Begawan (also known as BSB) is full of modern, oversized buildings, but the city did not have a traffic light until 1967, and there's still a sleepy, backwater feel...
Overview Introduction Iran's main Caspian Sea port, Anzali is also the center of the country's caviar industry (tourists can visit a processing factory near the sea). The port has a crumbling Soviet air about it, but it makes a pleasant base for exploring the Caspian region. Ferries connect Banda...
This dusty village located 340 mi/550 km northeast of Bamako is the gateway to the Bandiagara Escarpment, a rocky cliff 125 mi/200 km long that provides shelter to the fascinating Dogon people. The Dogon built a string of villages along the ridge and up high into the face of the cliff that can be se...
Overview Introduction The barren Band-i-Amir region offers deep blue lakes set amid treeless desert and hills at an elevation of 9,800 ft/3,000 m. Up to two days could be spent exploring the area, probably in a sturdy four-wheel-drive vehicle. 125 mi/200 km west of Kabul.
Situated a couple of hours' drive (70 mi/115 km) southeast of Jakarta, the hillside city of Bandung offers a welcome escape from the heat and pollution of Indonesia's capital. The city of 2 million is built up and heavily congested, but it is nevertheless green, and its setting—in a basin surround...
The town of Banff, located 65 mi/105 km west of Calgary, shares its name with the surrounding Banff National Park, and many visitors use the town as their base while exploring the park. As a result, it can be crowded during summer, with its permanent population of about 8,000 people swelled by tens...
Overview Introduction There's not a lot to see in this southwest town, but it has one of the nicest markets in the country, and it makes a good base for some interesting day trips. The surrounding agricultural region, where palm wine is produced, is lush and green compared with much of the rest o...
Overview Introduction Nestled among mountainous coffee plantations, near the town of Melong, Bangem is the jumping-off point for hikes to Mt. Manengouba. This extinct volcano has beautiful twin lakes in its crater that are referred to by the local Bakossi people as Man Lake and Woman Lake. An int...
Bangkok, Thailand, can soothe or ruffle, and it often does both. While contemplating the sunrise at a temple or monks collecting alms, you'll marvel at what peace can be found in the midst of such a chaotic metropolis. A cultural hub in Southeast Asia, Bangkok is a collage of urban squalor, gleam...
Ibn Battuta, the 14th-century Moroccan traveler, wrote that the Bengalis referred to their homeland as "a hell crammed with blessings." Most travelers today would have to look hard to find the blessings. Nearly every year, Bangladesh, one of the most heavily populated countries in the world, is affl...
Overview Introduction Bangor, on the banks of the Penobscot River in east-central Maine 135 mi/215 km northeast of Portland, is still a large pulp- and wood-producing city, supplied by the still-plentiful forests to the north. Be sure to stop downtown and see the Paul Bunyan statue (31 ft/9 m tal...
Overview Introduction Most people only pass through Bangor, Wales, crossing its landmark suspension bridge (built by Thomas Telford in 1826) on their way to the Isle of Anglesey. That's a shame, really, because this town, 192 mi/309 km northwest of Cardiff, has a number of attractions, including ...
A mere four degrees north of the equator, Bangui (pop. 732,000) is really the only place in the country where you're likely to find anything resembling modern conveniences. It even has a few French patisseries and a bookstore where you can find month-old copies of Newsweek . There are some interest...
The second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Banja Luka (pronounced Ban-ya LOO-ka ) is the capital of the Bosnian Serb entity Republika Srpska. Banja Luka has an international airport. Banja Luka was highly developed by the Ottoman Turks in the 1500s, who built more than 200 buildings and a ...
The Gambia's sleepy river capital, Banjul, and the surrounding area (the towns and beaches around the capital are sometimes collectively referred to as Kombo ) offer good food, beaches and great bird-watching, all of which can make it worth a stay of a couple of days. The area is the focus of the p...
Overview Introduction The spa town of Bankya, Bulgaria, is famous for its natural mineral hot springs, which have been used for hundreds of years. Bankya is a good way to see how post-Communist Bulgaria is reworking the past: Once the estate of Communist ruler Todor Zhivkov, it is now a first-cla...
Set in a verdant, mountainous region in central Ecuador, 80 mi/130 km south of Quito, Banos de Agua Santa (or simply Banos) is a wonderful place to relax—if the nearby Tungurahua volcano is not erupting. Banos has been evacuated numerous times in recent history because the volcano was ejecting ash a...
Famous as the site of the 1944 Slovak rebellion against the Nazis, Banska Bystrica was founded by German colonists in the 13th century as a mining town ( banska means "mine"). Today, it's a peaceful town and one of Slovakia's ski centers in winter. In summer, Banska Bystrica—about 100 mi/160 km nor...
Overview Introduction The archaeological site of Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia, 200 mi/320 km northwest of Phnom Penh was once a walled Buddhist capital. The highlight is an 11th-century monastery, located in the center of the site. Banteay Chhmar has suffered even more looting than Angkor, though the...
Overview Introduction This nature reserve located 80 mi/130 km northwest of Bamako is home to lions, giraffes, buffalo, hippos, antelope and leopards. It is open December-May.
One of the most popular summer destinations in Montenegro, Bar's coastline is 27 mi/44 km long, making it a favorite with beach lovers. Located 47 mi/76 km southwest of Podgorica, Bar consists of the Old Town and the New Town. The Old Town (Stari Bar) is an ancient city on a rocky hill located appr...
The town of Bar Harbor, Maine, thrives in the shadow of Acadia National Park. The name of the street that leads into town is Eden, which pretty much says it all. Cadillac Mountain looks over 44,000 acres/17,806 hectares of pine forests stretching all the way to Bar Harbor. To the south, waves crash...
Baracoa, which was founded in 1511 as the first Spanish settlement on the island, is at the eastern tip of Cuba 545 mi/875 km southeast of Havana—and it may (or may not) be the place where Columbus first landed in Cuba. Surrounded by lushly forested mountains and dramatic flat-topped formations, B...
Barbados is still very British. In fact, the island is commonly referred to as "Little England," and bears many of the same characteristics. Afternoon teatime is observed in some circles, cricket is the national passion and polo is played all winter. Many villages, streets, monuments and parks in B...
Remote and sparsely populated, Barbuda has the world's largest frigate-bird population (those large black birds that blow their big red throats up to unbelievable dimensions) and offers solitude and lots of beautiful, powdery white- and pink-sand beaches—but not much else. Located about 25 mi/40 k...
Barcelona, Spain's second-largest city, is inextricably linked to the architecture of Antoni Gaudi. His most famous and unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia, is the emblem of the city. Like the basilica, Barcelona takes traditional ideas and presents them in new, even outrageous, forms. And ...
Bardstown, Kentucky, located 60 mi/97 km southwest of Lexington, claims to be the bourbon capital of the world. In fact, the whole area figures prominently in the whiskey business. Heaven Hill Distillery's Bourbon Heritage Center in Bardstown is a museumlike center that includes a film about bourb...
Bari, Italy, is part of Puglia, which forms the heel of the Italian "boot" on the Adriatic coast about 300 mi/485 km southeast of Rome. The city is divided into medieval and modern sections and provides enough to make a two-night visit rewarding, although most tourists pass through on their way to...
One of the must-see sights in Argentina is the lakeside ski-resort town of San Carlos de Bariloche, generally known as Bariloche. This Andean village looks like it belongs in Switzerland, even though it's 830 mi/1,335 km southwest of Buenos Aires. Like a Swiss ski resort, Bariloche can be quite crow...
Overview Introduction This ancient fishing village, a former port for goods bound for Oman's foreign territories, is home to a large fort and its ancient walls. Barka is typical of the villages along the coast in this area and can be seen on the way to Al-Hazm. Also near Barka is the village of ...
Located 470 mi/755 km northeast of Vancouver, Barkerville, British Columbia, is a restored 1870s gold-rush town that re-creates the Old West. Of the 142 buildings, 52 are originals and the rest impressive reconstructions. It's no surprise that several westerns have been filmed there. Shops, restaura...
Located in scenic South Australia, just an hour outside of Adelaide, the Barossa Valley is Australia's best-known wine region. It has been producing wine for more than 150 years. Today, the Barossa Valley is home to around 150 wineries, with more than 60 cellar doors open to the public. That doesn...
Overview Introduction This town is mostly of interest to business travelers: It's the region's commercial center, located 210 mi/340 km southwest of Caracas. However, Barquisimeto is often used as a base for tourists visiting nearby towns—all within an hour's drive to the west—known for marvelous...
Barra Honda National Park, a small park 110 mi/175 km northwest of San Jose on the Nicoya Peninsula, protects the flora and fauna of the tropical dry forest and has an extensive network of caves. You can hire local guides to lead you through the caverns, but the descent into the darkness—using a cli...
Barranquilla, Colombia's main seaport, is a bustling, chaotic city of 2 million people, 435 mi/700 km north of Bogota. It is located on the west bank of the Magdalena River, near where it empties into the Caribbean Sea after crossing most of the country south to north. Barranquilla is best-known f...
Barre (pronounced BARE-ee ) was known as the "Granite Capital of the World" during the 1800s. The downtown of this small city 35 mi/55 km southeast of Burlington still stands as one of the finest collections of granite buildings in New England, and Hope Cemetery has one of the most incredible displ...
A protected rain forest since 1923, and one of the world's first, Barro Colorado, Panama, is located 30 mi/50 km northwest of Panama City. It is the largest island (6 sq mi/15 sq km) in Gatun Lake, a man-made body of water created during construction of the Panama Canal. Barro Colorado is managed ...
North America's northernmost settlement, Barrow, Alaska, lies on the state's northern coast 750 mi/1,207 km north of Anchorage, 500 mi/800 km north of Fairbanks, 320 mi/515 km north of the Arctic Circle and overlooking the Arctic Ocean. Barrow has the country's longest day (starting around 10 May,...
Overview Introduction Bartica is a mining town with a reputation for being rough. Located at the conjunction of three rivers—the Essequibo, Cuyuni and Mazaruni—it's the gateway to the interior and to the gold mines where porkknockers (men who search the rivers for gold) make their fortune. Ther...
Bartlesville, located 125 mi/200 km northeast of Oklahoma City, is the site of the first commercial oil well in Oklahoma, as well as the restored 26-room mansion of Frank Phillips, founder of Phillips Petroleum. Also in the town is Frank Lloyd Wright's Price Tower, a cantilevered 19-story building t...
One of the smallest islands, Bartolome is also one of the most visited. That's because it is a short distance from Santiago Island and one of the few places where visitors can see the Galapagos penguins. It also has a hiking trail that leads to a volcanic peak offering spectacular views of the islan...
Visitors to Switzerland usually don't spend much time in Basel, even though it is the country's third-largest city and has a lot to offer—particularly art. Its location is its biggest asset. It's on the Rhine River where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, which makes Basel a good base, only 60 ...
Overview Introduction Basin Head, a community near the eastern tip of Prince Edward Island (about 56 mi/90 km east of Charlottetown), is home to the Basin Head Fisheries Museum (documenting the history of fishing in local waters). After visiting the museum, linger on the beach, which is home to t...
Located predominantly in the green foothills of the western Pyrenees, the Basque region in southwestern France is so engrossing that it takes several days to explore (it actually encompasses three Basque provinces in France and four in Spain). The Basques have their own language and customs, part of...
Taking its name from the Basque people who live there, Spain's Basque Region is located in the north-central part of Spain, at the western end of the Pyrenees. It is adjacent to and, in its fullest cultural form, extends across the border with France. It's known as Pais Vasco in Spanish and Euska...
In ancient times, Basra was the port from which Sinbad the Sailor departed on his voyages. Located in the marsh area of southern Iraq (on the Arabian Gulf), this city of date palms, distinctive architecture and canals has a lovely Corniche promenade along the Shatt Al-Arab River. An excursion boat r...
Overview Introduction This town near Mount Bassar is probably best known for an annual ceremony called the Dance of Fire, which is performed the first week of September. Villagers sit inside a ring of fire or actually lie on the fire—apparently without pain. The village also celebrates the Feast ...
Basse Casamance National Park, located 160 mi/260 km southeast of Dakar, is one of the natural highlights of Senegal, but it remains off-limits to tourists because of the risk of unexploded mines as a result of former rebel activity. The park is a preserve of forest, savanna and mangrove swamps. T...
The British picked Basseterre as the colonial capital in 1727, and, despite hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and fires, the city has prospered. Today, the island's largest and only true city is a pleasant mishmash of things past and present. Although you'll see some fine examples of West Indian arch...
Sharing its name with the island, this small city is the capital of Guadeloupe and is known for its pretty squares, public gardens and narrow streets, with the volcano La Soufriere looming behind it all. There's a nice waterfront boulevard lined with palm trees that is popular with joggers, the Boul...
Located 76 mi/123 km north of Lisbon, it's worth a stop in the small town of Batalha, Portugal, to see the monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Another monastery and World Heritage site worth as stop is in nearby Alcobaca. Mosteiro de Santa Maria was founded in 1153. ...
An enormously tall construction crane dominates the horizon at the shipyard in Bath, the "City of Ships." It's your clue that this town 20 mi/32 km northeast of Portland has been building seagoing vessels for more than 300 years—since the settlers of the failed Popham colony needed to build their o...
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Bath, England, is located 95 mi/150 km west of London. The town has been famous since Roman times for its mineral baths and hot springs. It also has elegant Georgian architecture, history, beautiful scenery, a charming abbey, and stone houses with grand terraces. The ...
Bathurst Island and nearby Melville Island, off the coast of the Northern Territory, make up the Tiwi Islands. Dubbed the Islands of Smiles, the Tiwi Islands are a short 50-mi/80-km flight or ferry ride north of Darwin. The islands belong to the Tiwi people, who live much as they did centuries ago...
Overview Introduction This is the city nearest the Roman ruins at Timgad. Other ruins in the area include Lambese , a Roman garrison town of the Third Augustan Legion. Batna itself (pop. 122,000) has little of interest, but intriguing hikes are possible in the cedar forests of the surrounding mo...
Situated upriver 70 mi/110 km northwest of New Orleans and home to many New Orleanians, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a burgeoning Mississippi River port city and Louisiana's political capital. Gov. Huey Long—populist or dictator, depending on your viewpoint—built the art-deco-style Capitol there as...
If you are in Siem Reap and fancy a break from the temple trail, a two-day trip to Battambang, Cambodia, is a good option. Battambang is located 108 mi/175 km from Siem Reap. Cambodia's second-largest city can be reached by road or by a ferry from Tonle Sap. Depending on the season, the journey can ...
The landscape of the central region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is dotted with small industrial towns and rolling farmland, but its compelling history makes up for what it lacks in scenic drama. This area is better known as the Battlefields, and still bears the scars of the South African wars: ...
The sister communities of Battleford and North Battleford, Saskatchewan, present a rich collection of the province's history. From 1876 to 1882, Battleford, located 85 mi/140 km northwest of Saskatoon, was the original seat of government for the old Northwest Territories. While you're in Battleford,...
Overview Introduction About three hours east of Dili by car, Baucau is East Timor's second-largest city. It gets much more rain than the capital, and the surrounding area is lush and green. The highlight of Baucau is the beach. It's a long, wide stretch of sand. The water is perfect for swimming....
The small textile-manufacturing center of Bauska, Latvia, 40 mi/65 km south of Riga, near the border with Lithuania, has existed since at least 1236. Bauska's Old Town, with its renovated 16th-century Holy Spirit Church and many one-story wooden buildings, merits a look. The Livonian Order castle...
If your idea of Germany is men in lederhosen and women in dirndls, then the Bavarian Alps is the place for you. The kitsch factor can get pretty high, but it's a wonderful part of the country to see. Many people head to the area for its incredible Alpine setting—whether to ski, tour the castles or e...
Located in northern Maine, 160 mi/260 km northeast of Portland, Baxter State Park is a beautiful and vast wilderness preserve centering on Mount Katahdin (a rock-topped peak towering 5,267 ft/1,605 m—Maine's highest point). It is reputed to be the best place to meet a moose, the state animal. It's a...
The town of Gulf Shores anchors the section of Alabama's Gulf Coast that lies east of Mobile Bay. This beautiful strip of snow-white beach rivals Florida's Emerald Coast, and there are several places along the shore that can be enjoyed. Gulf State Park has a resort inn, campsites and cottages, and...
The Bay Islands off Honduras' Caribbean coast are one of the primary tourism areas, and there is an almost feverish building boom on Roatan serving both vacationers and retirees. The islands are popular with divers, snorkelers and anglers because of the extensive barrier reef that lies near them. Al...
As many as 150 islands are scattered around the Bay of Islands in Northland, New Zealand, 150 mi/240 km north of Auckland. In addition to the Far North, the region merits a three- to four-day visit. We like the area's fabulous beaches, sport fishing, scuba diving and gigantic kauri trees. The vill...
For centuries, Montenegro's Boka Kotorska, or Bay of Kotor, the deepest coastal inlet in the Mediterranean, was the boundary between Christianity and Islam. Today, the beach-lined bay, located 35 mi/55 km west of Podgorica, is home to several tourist resorts and historical sites. It is also consider...
Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, a fishing village 65 mi/105 km east of Santo Domingo, has somehow managed to retain its small-town feel and attitude—despite an explosion in the number of all-inclusive resorts in recent years. Bayahibe is considered one of the most pleasant villages in the Caribbean, f...
While much of Normandy and the Calvados region suffered greatly during World War II, Bayeux was somewhat miraculously spared and thus remains one of the only medieval sites in Normandy, home to a great variety of medieval architecture, including the 11th-century Notre Dame Cathedral. Bayeux's paved...
Bayonne, France, is worth a few hours if you are in the area. Encircled by ancient fortifications, some dating to Roman times, the city boasts the wonderful Gothic St. Mary's Cathedral. Bayonne's oldest section, a labyrinth of narrow, shaded streets, is famous for its chocolate makers and was once...
Bayreuth (pronounced by-ROYT ), 40 mi/65 km northeast of Nuremberg, is in many people's minds synonymous with the composer Richard Wagner. Every year, beginning in late July, this historic town hosts the Bayreuth Festival, during which a selection of the composer's operas are performed in the spect...
Overview Introduction Bayt al Faqih is most famous for its Friday market. Although there's not much else to see, we think this is another market that's really worth a visit—it began in the 18th century as a coffee-trading center and drew merchants from as far away as India and Morocco. This large...
About 35 mi/55 km off the mainland and 380 mi/610 km northeast of Maputo, the Bazaruto Archipelago consists of five islands: Bazaruto, Magaruque, Santa Carolina, Benguera (Benguerra) and Bangue. In 1971, the Portuguese bestowed national park status on the area to protect its precious marine fauna....
Overview Introduction This splendid mountain resort, 78 mi/125 km northeast of Beirut, is perched above the eastern end of the beautiful Kadisha Gorge. The town's red-tiled roofs, olive groves and mountain scenery are reminiscent of a Greek village—or a half-dozen other scenic spots along the eas...
Beaufort, Luxembourg, is a tiny town surrounded by truly spectacular scenery in the country's Mullerthal (Little Switzerland) region, 21 mi/34 km northeast of Luxembourg City. Beaufort also has a ruined 12th-century castle and a neo-Gothic church. Those who love the outdoors can spend several days...
Beaufort, a community with meticulously restored homes and public buildings, is on the mainland at the southern end of the Outer Banks (near Cape Lookout). Beaufort is also home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, an excellent museum devoted to both the science and the history of maritime life...
Beautiful pre-Revolutionary and antebellum homes stand gracefully among moss-draped oaks in the pretty old port town of Beaufort, South Carolina (70 mi/113 km southwest of Charleston). In fact, you can see nearly 200 restored buildings along Bay Street in the city's historic district. Start your ...
Lying 270 mi/435 km east of San Antonio, Beaumont (pronounced BO-mont ) is a rusty old industrial town that's of little interest except for its role as a major petrochemical center and port—if you find such things interesting. If you're in town, visit the Texas Energy Museum, which documents th...
About 30 minutes south of Dijon is the charming town of Beaune, located in the heart of the Cote d'Or, the wine-making region of Burgundy. Its location makes Beaune one of the key wine centers in France. This is evident in many of its landmarks, including the Hospices de Beaune (now home to the prim...
Beaver, Alaska, located above the Arctic Circle, is about a 50-minute flight from Fairbanks. Travelers cross some 110 mi/177 km of wilderness of the White Mountains and Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge between the two towns. Beaver has about 80 village residents of Japanese, Eskimo, Gwich'in A...
Located outside of Beaver in the Tushar Mountains, one of Utah's tallest ranges, Eagle Point bills itself as an affordable family snowsport destination. Its 36 trails are a mix of beginner, intermediate and expert terrain, with a halfpipe and significant backcountry opportunities. The region has an ...
This is definitely a place to watch the rich and famous and be pampered yourself. Beaver Creek offers fabulous skiing and is rarely crowded. Check out the snow-free walkways and covered escalators. The skiing in Beaver Creek is suitable for all levels, and it includes a three-step program for thos...
Overview Introduction This former French Foreign Legion outpost is often a stopping point if you're driving to Tindouf or Taghit from the coast. There's not much to see in there except the ruined 12th-century fortified city of al-Qal'a of Beni Hammad with its thick earthen walls. 450 mi/725 km s...
Beckley lies in the heart of coal country, 50 mi/80 km southeast of Charleston. The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine takes visitors inside a mine that is no longer in operation, with retired miners guiding the tours. The Beckley Mine also houses a small museum and a "coal company house"—one of the homes...
The capital of the Negev region, Beer Sheva, Israel, is a frontier desert town 45 mi/75 km southwest of Jerusalem. It is also the home of one of Israel's five universities, the Ben Gurion University of the Negev, with thousands of students from all over the country. The town is best seen on a Thur...
Overview Introduction This out-of-the-way place was once known as Kapissa , capital of the Kushan (Indo-Greek) kings. Sights include the remains of a fort built by Alexander the Great. A number of other sites are waiting to be excavated. It's now home to the largest U.S. air base in Afghanistan,...
Overview Introduction Beihan's main attraction is the Beihan Museum (allow several hours to tour). If time permits, also visit Jabal Aqil , site of a Timna cemetery, and nearby Timna itself to see the ancient Timna ruins. Beihan is sometimes closed to visitors, so check in Aden to make sure it...
The famous portrait of Mao Zedong still looks out over Beijing as though he's guarding communist austerity and discipline. But the Beijing he stares out upon is hardly the city he left behind. Change is everywhere—in the clothes (you could wear them to the office in any cosmopolitan city); in the...
Before the war, Beira, 450 mi/725 km northeast of Maputo, was a busy port filled with goods destined for Zimbabwe (both rail and road service run between Beira and Harare, Zimbabwe). The government's reconstruction efforts have been slow in reaching the city, which now lies in some disrepair. Beira...
Overview Introduction Lebanon has been busy rebuilding its capital, Beirut, since peace returned to the embattled city in the early 1990s. Though the scars from years of civil war remain, life has returned to downtown Beirut. The former "Pearl of the Middle East" is once again an exquisite experi...
Beit Shean, located 75 mi/120 km north of Jerusalem, is home to a national park that boasts one of the largest and most important archaeological sites in Israel. Covering 400 acres/161.8 hectares, the ruins date back more than 5,000 years and consist of several layers of cities from different ages (...
Beiteddine, Lebanon, is 30 mi/45 km southeast of Beirut. The Palace of Beiteddine is one of the most popular day trips from Beirut, and the drive through the beautiful Chouf Mountains is an added bonus. The palace, completed in the early 1800s, is the product of Italian architects and Levantine arti...
Set in the rolling plains of the Alentejo and 120 mi/190 km southeast of Lisbon, Beja, Portugal, merits a few hours' visit. The town's main claim to fame is that it was founded by Julius Caesar. Stop at the town museum, which was once a 15th-century convent. Its cloister has beautiful azulejo deco...
Overview Introduction This old haunt of the Barbary pirates is now a major petroleum port (pop. 124,000). See the hilltop view from Place 1 Novembre, and visit the archaeological museum and Emile Aubry Museum, where works of that artist, plus contemporary Algerian art, are on display. 115 mi/185...
Invasions destroyed most of Belarus' historic structures, and rapid industrialization robbed it of most of its charm. Even so, progress in Belarus steadily increases, although it is still a bit slower compared with other independent nations of the former Soviet Union. Traveling to the country is...
Located a short distance from Antalya, Belek is home to the Sirene Hotels & Resort, which houses the Antalya Golf Club, one of the best golf courses in Turkey (although the area isn't short on first-class golf courses or hotels). A fully equipped golf academy there provides individual and grou...
The large port city of Belem (and capital of Para state) is a good base for half-day river cruises to get a taste of the jungle. (These short cruises are really intended for people who aren't headed farther up the Amazon on longer cruises.) Belem, which is 1,520 mi/2,445 km northwest of Rio de Jan...
The capital of Northern Ireland is an industrial city that was once synonymous with sectarian violence, but that has changed and Belfast has emerged as a growing cultural center. The city center is compact, and many areas are off-limits to automobiles, so it's a pleasant city to walk through. Belfa...
The coastal area between Knokke and Nieuwpoort is the summer destination for many Belgians. There are several seaside towns that can be reached fairly easily by train from Brussels, offering wide sandy beaches, painted bathing huts, seaside attractions and many restaurants. Knokke offers upmarket ...
Belgium makes a perfect introduction to Europe. It's especially good for first-timers who might be overwhelmed by all there is to see in larger European countries. Though there are plenty of attractions to keep visitors happily occupied for a couple of weeks, Belgium's size is quite manageable, and ...
Belgrade, Serbia's capital, is located at the junction of the Sava and Danube rivers, 86 mi/139 km north of Kragujevac. Belgrade (Beograd) is also a bustling metropolis, home to many businesses and industries. Interesting sites to see in Belgrade include Belgrade Fortress, Ruzica Church (the oldes...
Belize is a rising star among those seeking active and educational vacations. Tourists go to see its vast expanses of rain forest, rich collection of birds and animals, a long stretch of coral barrier reef and plentiful Maya ruins. As a result, tourism now surpasses agriculture as the largest indus...
Because of its high crime rate, Belize City is best avoided, or relegated to a guided one-day tour. Some old frame houses on stilts are being fixed up, and several Victorian mansions have been converted into small inns with restaurants. Even so, Belize's biggest city has a long way to go before i...
Bella Coola, British Columbia, will appeal to Canadian-history lovers, anglers and campers. Located 630 mi/1,000 km northwest of Vancouver, it's the western terminus of the 279-mi/450-km Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail, named after the trader who went to the area in the late 1700s searching for a...
Located 19 mi/30 km from Como, Bellagio is the most famous village on Lake Como. For unforgettable views, it's best approached by ferry from Cadenabbia, Varenna or Menaggio. Bellagio's scenic waterfront is graced by two of its most traditional hotels, the Genazzini, (opened in 1825, now the Metropol...
With its dark, narrow and steep medieval alleyways, tranquil Bellano can appear a bit spooky on a foggy day, but on sunny days, the pretty courtyards with little fountains and picturesque facades look a lot brighter. Bellano is located 35 mi/57 km from Como via Lecco. Take a stroll along the lakesh...
This tiny mountain village on the southeastern outskirts of Kyrenia (4 mi/6 km away) in Turkish Cyprus, overlooking the northern coast and is home to the beautiful 13th-century Bellapais Abbey. Many famous people have lived in this village, including Lawrence Durrell and photographer George Laniti...
Located 80 mi/130 km from Seattle at the foot of Mount Baker, this pretty, relaxed college town is a departure point for trips up the Alaskan Inside Passage, the protected boat route between Washington and Alaska. Sightseers should head south of downtown to Fairhaven Village, a district of restored ...
At Bellows Falls, 130 mi/210 km southeast of Burlington, the Connecticut River funnels dramatically through a narrow gorge. Once a center of industry, the town is best known as home of the Green Mountain Flyer train ride: This 26-mi/42-km route, which runs late June to mid-October, allows visitors...
A 1961 hurricane nearly destroyed Belize City, so the government was moved to Belmopan, 45 mi/70 km inland, away from potential danger. Although it's a center of administration, Belmopan is no center of tourism, but several good jungle lodges are nearby, and it is a useful base for exploring nearby ...
Belo Horizonte, called "Belo" locally, lies 220 mi/350 km northwest of Rio de Janeiro in the center of the country's most important mining area. Although you can see most of its attractions in a day, the city is pleasant and has a terrifically varied nightlife. Among Belo Horizonte's highlights ar...
Located 110 mi/180 km northwest of Sofia, Belogradchik, Bulgaria, is a small town that serves as the gateway to an area of fantastic limestone crags and the ruins of an ancient fortress set in the rocks, called the Belogradchik Fortress. This fortress was built between AD 100 and 300 to guard a Roma...
The spectacular mountain and high-desert scenery surrounding Bend has spurred a tourism boom, making the city one of the fastest-growing areas in Oregon. Outdoor opportunities abound with rock climbing, bicycling, golf, hiking, horseback riding, white-water rafting and trout fishing available in or ...
Previously known for its public gardens, Bengaluru (or Bangalore, as the city was previously known) is reputed for its booming software industry. Visitors should plan at least two days to see the city, located 530 mi/855 km southeast of Mumbai. The town has a large Anglo-Indian minority and is con...
Overview Introduction On the Gulf of Sidra, Benghazi (pop. 1,033,000) has green open spaces, a nice, long seaside corniche and fewer 1970s-era concrete buildings than you'll find in Tripoli. But in spite of this, Libya's second-largest city really isn't that picturesque. Visit the Al Muntazah Par...
The terminus of one of Africa's major railways, Benguela was founded in 1617 and contains several historic buildings. If you find yourself there, see the palace and Portuguese fortress. If you have time, it's about a two-hour drive to Mount Moco, the highest point in the country. It rises 8,500 ft...
The small nation of Benin, once known as Dahomey, is best known for slaves and voodoo. Benin was once the heart of the slave trade in West Africa, and it was also the birthplace of the animistic religion that was shipped abroad along with its enslaved practitioners. These days, there's little left ...
Benin City, Nigeria, is surrounded by an ancient moat and the remains of a city wall. This former Edo-Bini capital, 150 mi/240 km east of Lagos, Nigeria, has a traditional oba's (king's) palace and a strong artistic tradition. The Edo have produced some of Africa's most celebrated bronze and terra...
Water power from the Walloomsac River established the mill town of Bennington, 125 mi/200 km south of Burlington, in the 1700s. Today, visitors can see the Bennington Battle Monument, a 306-ft/93-m stone monolith commemorating American Gen. John Stark's 1777 battle with the British (the monument i...
Overview Introduction Benque Viejo Del Carmen, or just Benque (pronounced Ben-kay ), is the last town in western Belize before Guatemala. Mostly Spanish-speaking, it is a sleepy town that only perks up around Easter and in July, when there are religious and cultural festivities.
North of Fayetteville on Highway 71, this small Ozarks town is best known as the corporate headquarters of Wal-Mart, the retailing giant founded by the late Sam Walton. The original Walton variety store at 105 N. Main St. is now the Wal-Mart Visitors Center, complete with a museum that tells how Wal...
At only 5 mi/8 km long and 3 mi/4 km wide, Bequia is the largest of the Grenadine islands. Bequia (pronounced BEK-way ) is still a small place, both in size and in the number of inhabitants (only about 5,000). Its heritage is intertwined with boatbuilding and whaling—it was one of the region's best...
This beautiful city, 45 mi/70 km south of Tirana and built on steep slopes along the Osmuti River, was spared communist-style building by Enver Hoxha, who designated Berat as a museum. The old town of Berat rises vertically in a picturesque wall of red tile roofs and white-washed buildings connected...
Overview Introduction This Gulf of Aden seaport, the major town in the north, really doesn't have much of interest for visitors. If you're there, do note the harbor—originally built for vessels of the Soviet Navy, it was an important U.S. Navy base from the late 1970s to 1991. 575 mi/925 km nort...
Berchtesgaden is a rare, historic jewel just 12 mi/20 km from Salzburg (easily reachable by train). Take a walk through the Old Town, which dates from the early 1100s, and see the Royal Villa, Abbey Church and Old Cemetery. The town was home to Hitler's Alpine retreat. It was destroyed by Allied b...
Few people realize it, but Berea, Kentucky, located 40 mi/65 km south of Lexington, was founded as a Utopian colony. Today, this small college town is the state's foremost center for folk arts and crafts. There are more than 100 artists working in and around the town, and many studios welcome visi...
Bergama is the site of the ancient city called Pergamon and is usually seen on a two-day tour of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor or on an Aegean sea cruise. The place 180 mi/290 km southwest of Istanbul merits a visit because of its impressive ruins, which can be seen in several hours. The ruins ...
Founded in AD 1070, Bergen, Norway, 190 mi/305 km northwest of Oslo, is the country's second largest—and one of its most attractive—cities. Bergen is a popular cruise ship destination that attracts visitors year-round, and it requires a three-night stay to see everything. During the Middle Ages, ...
The easygoing suburb of Berkeley, California, sits across the bay from San Francisco. The city is home to the University of California at Berkeley, the incubator for the antiwar movement of the 1960s and a longtime bastion of counterculture. Berkeley is also the birthplace of the California gourmet...
Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, is home to a spa where mineral springs containing sulfates, nitrates and carbonates flow forth at 74 F/23 C and 2,000 gal/7,600 L per minute. George Washington was once a devotee of the spa, and he and his family established the town as "Bath," the country's first ...
For more than a century, the tranquil hills in the far-west region of Massachusetts 110 mi/175 km west of Boston have attracted a stunning array of creative talent—from musicians to visual artists to giants of American literature. They've also attracted leisure travelers—and with good reason: Inns, ...
Since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of the city, Berlin, Germany, has restlessly reinvented itself as a political, business and entertainment center. But even before its roller-coaster ride through the 20th century, 19th-century author Karl Scheffler remarked that the city was c...
Bermuda is a unique tropical-island paradise located in a remote corner of the western Atlantic Ocean. It is a peaceful vacation spot nestled in a sparkling blue-green sea. When the wind blows, Bermuda's islands, islets and outcrops are washed with white-topped, cool-green waves. It's the divers...
Bermudez National Park encompasses most of Pico Duarte, the highest mountain in the Caribbean at 10,164 ft/3,098 m, according to surveys, although the Dominican government has officially deemed it to be 10,128 ft/3,087 m. The park is a popular place for hiking. You can ascend the peak on foot to t...
Bern is Switzerland's beautiful capital city, 55 mi/90 km west of Lucerne. It was destroyed by a fire in 1405 and then totally rebuilt, so it has many fine examples of early-15th-century architecture—so many that UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage site. Bern is also known for its Bear Pits, a...
Bernkastel-Kues, Germany, is a port city on the Moselle River. Visitors can view the half-timbered houses built centuries ago while strolling narrow cobblestoned streets. You can also visit the Vinothek in the Weinkuturellen Zentrum and sample the wines of the region, underground, in the historic v...
Overview Introduction Its name and origins date back to 1901, when it was chosen as a site for religious gatherings. Today Bethany Beach is primarily a low-key, family-friendly resort with a few motels, hotels and bed-and-breakfasts. The town's mile-/kilometer-long boardwalk is relatively free of...
A suburb of Washington, D.C., that features many gracious old buildings, Bethesda, Maryland, has developed into a bustling spot with a variety of restaurants, watering holes, shops and eclectic galleries. Many of Bethesda's best restaurants are in the "grid," a six-block area between Old Georgetow...
Just south of Jerusalem, in Palestinian territory, lies the town of Bethlehem, the setting for many biblical events, including the birth of Jesus, Rachel's death and the discovery of David, the future king of Israel. Access to Bethlehem is through a series of security checkpoints on the short driv...
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 52 mi/83 km north of Philadelphia, is the heart of the steel industry that came to prominence in the 1800s. The city has several sights that revolve around its earlier history. The Moravian Museum of Bethlehem charts the development of the settlement after Moravian settler...
Overview Introduction The most westerly tourist attraction on the Ghanaian coast is this small beachfront village, whose major landmark is the well-preserved Fort Apollonia, built by the British in 1760. From Beyin, a boat trip through lush tropical swamps teeming with birds leads to the inky-bla...
Southeast of Kathmandu (22 mi/35 km), Bhaktapur is definitely worth visiting (tourists must pay an entrance fee of about US$10, valid for a single visit or a weeklong multiple-entry pass on request, passport required). Bhaktapur can be reached by public bus or by taxi. The town is a bit more relax...
Three towns near the southwest coast of India have fascinating temple complexes. During the eighth to 13th centuries, Bhubaneswar, the largest of the three located 300 mi/485 km southwest of Kolkata, boasted 7,000 temples. Today, 500 can still be visited in town and in the nearby Dhauli Hills. Kon...
Bhutan is the only country in the Himalayas where the Vajrayana Buddhist culture survives intact. However, the fall of other kingdoms that represent this vibrant culture, such as Tibet, Sikkim and Ladakh, and the encroachment of globalization make the survival of this tiny Buddhist nation increasing...
About 5 mi/8 km south of Arcachon, the seaside resort of Biarritz, France, hosts the famous Dune du Pilat, the biggest sand dune in Europe. The view from the top is spectacular, especially at sunset. Be warned, however, that the 190-step wooden stairway leading up to the top is not for the fainthear...
Overview Introduction Easily seen on a day trip from Shiraz, this ruined Sassanian city from the third century BC is still being excavated. Set in an impressive gorge, the site has bas-reliefs, a Zoroastrian fire temple, the Shapur I Palace and, in the Mudan Grotto, a 26-ft/8-m statue carved from...
The small city of Biel, 25 mi/40 km north of Bern, straddles the linguistic line between German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland—in French, it's called Bienne. Both languages are spoken in the city, and you'll notice that the street signs are bilingual as well. Biel has all the elements of...
Established in 1902, Big Basin is California's oldest state park, located 25 mi/40 km northwest of Santa Cruz and 65 mi/104 km south of San Francisco. The park has more than 18,000 acres/7,284 hectares of old growth and recovering redwood forest, with mixed conifer, oaks, chaparral and riparian habi...
Big Bear Lake, nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains 50 mi/80 km northeast of Los Angeles, is a popular weekend getaway for downhill skiing in the winter and for hiking, mountain biking and swimming in the warmer months. http://www.bigbear.com. The principal ski resorts are Bear Mountain and Snow...
This giant park (801,163 acres/324,219 hectares) is in a remote corner of West Texas 370 mi/595 km west of San Antonio, but it's worth the effort to get there. In the southwestern part of the state, where the Rio Grande makes its "big bend" (essentially a giant U-turn), the park includes three separ...
Overview Introduction A large wilderness area extending into Tennessee and Kentucky, Big South Fork is a must for white-water enthusiasts as well as admirers of scenic beauty. The Blue Heron area contains a drive to the overlook of Devils Jump, and the Big South Fork Scenic Railway also runs thro...
Located roughly 100 mi/160 km south of San Francisco, Big Sur, California, is a magical area. There are dramatic seaside cliffs often covered in fog, sea lions frolicking just offshore, fascinating tide pools and the absolute best seascapes that Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway or ...
A vast expanse of swamp, conifers, palmettos and abundant wildlife, this lush primordial forest 260 mi/420 km northeast of San Antonio extends through southeast Texas, from the area around Beaumont in the south to the edge of the Piney Woods in the north. Within this region, plant species from the e...
The lakeside village of Bigfork is a year-round resort nestled on picturesque Bigfork Bay. It's also known as an arts colony: It has a playhouse and plenty of crafts shops and art galleries. Golf is a popular summer pursuit in the area—there are nine courses in the Flathead Valley; one of the best...
Overview Introduction The Bijagos Islands (including Bubaque, Caravela, Orango, Uno, Roxa, Carache and Formosa, among others) are Guinea-Bissau's main tourist attractions. The archipelago, scattered in the Atlantic Ocean near the mouth of the Corubal and Geba Rivers, offers many things to do—bird...
Located 535 mi/860 km southeast of Mumbai, Bijapur, India, has many interesting Islamic monuments. See the Gol Gumbaz, a huge domed tomb with an amazing whispering gallery (any slight noise on one side of the dome can be heard perfectly on the opposite side and can even echo as many as a dozen times...
Called the Desert City, Bikaner, India, is stark yet beautiful, with great Hindu and Mughal art. Similar in setting to Jaisalmer, Bikaner is a walled city with an important 16th-century fort—Junagarh Fort—containing intricately carved palaces and temples. The fort, which was attacked repeatedly but ...
This pleasant-sounding atoll was an early testing ground for nuclear bombs. In 1946, the original 450 inhabitants of the island were moved to a series of islands (ending up on Kili Island ) and given assurances by the U.S. government that they could return to Bikini after the tests. Twenty-three nu...
With its industrial and seaside satellites, Bilbao, Spain, extends 10 mi/16 km along the banks of the Nervion River. The city is the largest in the Basque region, an unbroken metropolis hemmed in by steep hills. Located 200 mi/325 km north of Madrid, Bilbao used to be primarily an industrial cent...
Montana's largest city, 120 mi/193 km east of Bozeman, was established in 1882 with the coming of the railroad. Back in those days, Calamity Jane was a local celebrity. Today, Billings revolves around agriculture, transportation, medical services, education and oil refining. Outside of town, take t...
As different as Biloxi and Gulfport are, it is impossible to separate them. Together they create a virtual playground for enjoying the beaches, exploring the fragile barrier islands that make up the Gulf Islands National Seashore, golfing on one of the many courses, fishing for mackerel or red snap...
Located northwest of New Providence, just 50 mi/80 km off the east coast of Florida, Bimini is one of the best known of the Out Islands. Most popular with anglers and within easy reach of amateur sailors from the U.S. mainland, Bimini is actually two distinct islands—North Bimini and South Bimini—se...
Overview Introduction Founded nearly 1,000 years ago, the interesting market town of Binche (38 mi/61 km south of Brussels) still has some of its original fortified walls, which date between the 12th and 14th centuries. Binche is best known for its annual Mardi Gras carnivals, when some 1,500 rev...
Overview Introduction A small and pleasant town on the shore of Lake Kariba, 200 mi/320 km west of Harare, Binga is favored by locals as a low-key vacation resort. Many go for the excellent fishing in the area. Isolated houseboats decorate the water, and although reasonably developed, the town re...
Overview Introduction Once the colonial capital (1900-1934), Bingerville has a lovely university and a must-see botanical garden as well as orchid, cocoa and coffee plantations. The Atelier d'Art displays works of young art students. Most people see Bingerville and Grand Bassam on the same excurs...
This volcanic island still maintains a somewhat colonial atmosphere. Because of its rugged topography, lush tropical scenery and attractive principal city, plan to spend more time there than in the undeveloped mainland portion of the country. (In addition, Bioko can be reached directly by internatio...
The most accessible place to seek out the elusive, resplendent quetzal, Guatemala's national bird, is at the Quetzal Biotopo (also known as Biotopo Mario Dary Rivera), near the town of Purulha, about 81 mi/130 km north of Guatemala City. This 2,500-acre/1,000-hectare reserve has a system of nature t...
Overview Introduction A coastal town, Bir 'Ali is normally seen as a stopover on the drive from Aden to Al Mukalla. That's a pity, really, because the town has enough of interest to justify an overnight stay (though that would entail camping along the shore—there are no accommodations in town). A...
Bird Island, located 70 mi/115 km north of Mahe, is small enough to walk around in an hour. It is home to an amazing number of creatures—more than a million sooty terns nest there between May and October. Among the other bird species encountered are mynahs, cardinals, and fairy and noddy terns. (Aft...
Overview Introduction Birkirkara's interesting old streets make this town 3 mi/5 km west of Valletta, and the largest population center on Malta, a pleasant place for strolling. On Wednesday morning, the town hosts an open market.
This medium-sized city (Alabama's largest) is set in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It is home to an impressive range of cultural offerings and several universities, including the prestigious University of Alabama Medical Center at Birmingham. The city projects a composed atmos...
As England's second city, Birmingham merits a visit if you're in the area. It is located 95 mi/150 km northwest of London, and Birmingham's redevelopment has made it a shopping center and a vibrant cultural center of the Midlands. Among Birmingham's attractions are trips on the downtown canal syst...
Overview Introduction "Konni," for short, is mostly a road stop for travelers on their way to Maradi or Zinder. Indeed, it looks the part. However, if you have the time or inclination, you'll find that Konni does have a fair amount of character. The Konni marketplace is a dense and bustling scene...
Overview Introduction This quiet seaside resort of Birzebbugia, Malta, 7 mi/12 km south of Valletta, is the gateway to Freeport, the country's main commercial port.
Bisbee, Arizona, located 25 mi/40 km south of Tombstone, is among Arizona towns whose main street captures the atmosphere of the Old West. From beautiful Victorian homes and farmers markets to haunted hearse rides and spooky pub crawls, Bisbee offers tourists an eclectic mix of history, culture an...
Biscayne National Park, just 25 mi/40 km south of Miami, Florida, protects and preserves a significant marine ecosystem that includes a shallow bay, undeveloped islands and coral reefs. The islands are the northernmost of the Florida Keys (though they are not directly connected to the other Keys by ...
The nation's capital (pop. 800,000) is a classic modern Soviet-style city with marble buildings and boulevards that seem too large for its modest population. Although the apartment blocks and architecture seem of a much higher standard than the grim monoliths of, say, Almaty, Kazakhstan, there's rea...
Overview Introduction We think Biskra is one of the most beautiful Algerian oases. Used by the Romans, it has date palms and the Hammam Salhine health spa at Ad Poscinam . If all this sounds appealing, plan to stay at least two nights. Also see the El Kantar Gorge, the terraced village of Rhouf...
Start your visit to North Dakota's capital with a guided tour of the former governor's mansion. The current governor's mansion and art-deco-style state Capitol, which is topped with a skyscraper, are also worth a visit. From there, go to the North Dakota Heritage Center. If you have time, spend a ...
Overview Introduction The country's capital, Bissau (pop. 125,000), retains a strong Portuguese feel and a pleasantly laid-back attitude. There are relatively few cars in the city, but you're better off seeing things on foot anyway: Most of the action is on or near Avenida Amilcar Cabral. Check o...
Overview Introduction Bistrita is a large town on the southwestern end of Borgo Pass, the highest road in Romania. The surrounding forested valley is gorgeous, so if you're in the area, plan to stop for an hour or so to see the 13th-century cathedral and the town's medieval merchant houses. North...
Founded in 1014 by Slavs, Bitola is a pleasant town with an interesting clock tower (the town symbol), an old bazaar (Stara Carsija) that is very small compared to the great bazaar in Skopje, and numerous examples of Turkish architecture, including several mosques. A wide European-style pedestrian s...
Overview Introduction This small seaside resort is on Tunisia's quieter, less-visited north coast. Bizerte offers nice beaches and great seafood. It also has an interesting Moorish Old Port, with narrow alleyways, arches and dimly lit shops. World War II buffs will be interested to know that Bize...
The Black Forest, a hilly region in southern Germany that starts 80 mi/130 km south of Frankfurt and runs to the border with Switzerland, has patches of beautiful dark forest, green meadows and small lakes—it looks more manicured than wild. The landscape rises to about 4,000 ft/1,200 m and drops ste...
This town, along with nearby Central City, is a center for casino gambling in Colorado. Black Hawk is a former mining town rejuvinated by gambling. Games are restricted to slots, blackjack and poker, and betting is low stakes. If you also want to visit nearby Central City, shuttles are available fo...
Located on the southwest coast of the country and 100 mi/160 km west of Kingston, Black River, Jamaica, makes a convenient place to stop if you're traveling between Kingston and Negril. The largest town is St. Elizabeth. In the mid-19th century it derived its wealth from exporting logwood, which w...
Overview Introduction The Black River Canyon Gorges National Park area of Mauritius is breathtaking. The area, 15 mi/25 km south of Port Louis, is covered with forests that are filled with a wide variety of birds and plants. If you are lucky, you may see kestrels and parrots, which have been rele...
There are deserts, and then there is the Black Rock Desert, a completely barren playa (dry lake bed) stretching across the northwest corner of Nevada, 380 mi/610 km northwest of Las Vegas. Nothing of any size lives there—no plants or animals. It's an expanse of glaring white silt, completely level f...
Once the playground of nobles and nomenklatura alike, the Black Sea Coast of Georgia has long been noted for its warm weather and sandy beaches. Two favorite resorts are Batumi, just north of the border with Turkey, and nearby Kobuleti. Batumi was ruled by Turkey for more than 300 years, and Isl...
Bulgaria's Black Sea coastline runs for 235 mi/380 km. Of that, 80 mi/130 km is known as the Bulgarian Riviera, lined by white- and golden-sand beaches and resorts, many of which offer accommodations, restaurants and watersports facilities at relatively low prices. Many tourists have traditionally c...
Blackpool is the Victorian birthplace of the English seaside holiday and offers up an entertaining mix of amusement, nightlife and kitsch across three crowded piers on the northwest coast, 55 mi/88 km northwest of Manchester. There's something to do for everyone: ride the roller coasters in the th...
Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales, is in the heart of Snowdonia National Park (though not part of the park itself, as industrial heritage wasn't valued when it was established). This small slate-mining town, 160 mi/257 km north of Cardiff, lies near another miner—but not minor—attraction: Llechwedd Slate ...
Blaenavon, Wales, is located just on the edge of Brecon Beacons National Park and 28 mi/45 km northeast of Cardiff. Blaenavon is an industrial town and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also the terminus of the Pontypool-to-Blaenavon Railway, which is traveled by steam locomotives...
Southeastern Utah contains many structures built by the Anasazi people, and Blanding, 260 mi/420 km southeast of Salt Lake City, makes a good base for exploring them. Some of the best-preserved are in Hovenweep National Monument, which is a collection of six deserted Anasazi villages. It's notable f...
Overview Introduction Named after Dr. Livingstone's birthplace in Scotland, the commercial and industrial city of Blantyre is in a pretty setting in southern Malawi. Be sure to visit the Church of St. Michael's and All Angels (built in 1891) and the National Museum (historical displays), then dri...
The alpine village of Bled, Slovenia, has been the country's most visited attraction for more than a century. Located about 30 mi/50 km northwest of Ljubljana, Bled is among Europe's most beautiful mountain resorts. Imagine a castle set on a cliff and overlooking a small blue lake that rests in a va...
Overview Introduction This city (pop. 191,000) in the shadow of the Atlas Mountains is locally known for citrus groves and gardens. It's especially nice to visit during spring, when the orange blossoms are in bloom. Nearby is a ski resort at Chrea, which also provides good hiking in the summer. ...
If you're looking to get away from it all without leaving civilization entirely, Block Island is for you. At 45 mi/75 km south of Providence, the population swells in the summer, but Block Island has resisted the kind of rampant overdevelopment that can turn a pleasant hideaway into something close...
Located in the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, is the country's judicial capital. The city, whose name is derived from Dutch for "Fountain of Flowers," was founded in 1846 as a British outpost and has many historic buildings and beautiful parks. The obelisk of the National Women's Memorial...
The main campus of Indiana University is in Bloomington, so the city has all the advantages of being a college town: lots of historic buildings, concerts, plays, restaurants and sporting events. The large student population supports a lively nightlife and music scene, which regularly draws people fr...
The town of Blowing Rock (10 mi/16 km east of Grandfather Mountain—one of the most scenic stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway runs between the two) is perched over a lowland valley and has nice views of the mountains stretching away to the southwest. The town is charming and quaint, with upscale r...
The Blue Mountains, located 68 mi/110 km northwest of Sydney, is one of New South Wales' premier national parks, with great opportunities for bushwalking, outdoor activities and wildlife watching. This World Heritage Area covers an area of 3,861 sq mi/10,000 sq km. The highway that winds around pan...
Famous for their namesake coffee, these mountains begin 12 mi/20 km northeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and rise above the city to form one of the highest continuous mountain ranges in the Caribbean. They have a fragile ecosystem: The range has suffered extensive damage from hurricanes, floods and lands...
Located in the western portion of the state, this beautiful 470-mi/750-km drive begins in Virginia, at the southern end of Shenandoah National Park (the scenic road through the park is called Skyline Drive), and ends at Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the North Carolina-Tennessee border. It t...
This beautiful 470-mi/750-km drive begins in Virginia at the southern end of Shenandoah National Park (the scenic road through the park is called Skyline Drive). It ends at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the North Carolina-Tennessee border. In between, it touches many mountain ranges (fr...
Bluefields, Nicaragua, is a rough-and-tumble port town on the Atlantic coast, 175 mi/280 km east of Managua. It is very much removed from the rest of the country, both physically—it's on the sparsely populated Caribbean coast—and culturally. Most travelers skip Bluefields unless they're catching a b...
This region in north-central Kentucky is a lovely area of rolling hills, racehorses and lavish estates. Lexington serves as the epicenter of Bluegrass Country and is the location of many of the horse farms and racetracks. The surrounding area should not be overlooked, however: If you have time, we s...
Overview Introduction A popular stop between Kumasi and Mole National Park, this community-run sanctuary is named after the two villages that lie within it, both of which regard monkeys to be so sacred that the villagers hold funerals for them when they die. Large numbers of mona monkeys scamper ...
"Bobo," as it is often called, is home to the Bobo tribe. Originally a major slave-trading town, today it's primarily a commercial center (pop. 396,000). Some travelers rate this as their favorite West African city. The best way to spend the day is by strolling the tree-lined streets, shopping or p...
Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, 15 mi/25 km east of Santo Domingo, is hugely popular with Dominicans, and the beach is often packed, especially on weekends, with vendors hawking their wares and merengue music blaring from portable radios. (Be aware that the streets are frequented by prostitutes at n...
Boca Grande, Florida, north of Captiva Island on Gasparilla Island, is something of a throwback to the quieter days on the Gulf coast. Since 1913, Gasparilla Inn has been a winter retreat for many wealthy visitors attracted by the excitement of tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass. An old lighthouse...
The small, Caribbean-flavored town of Bocas del Toro, Panama, 175 mi/280 km west of Panama City, has a unique, laid-back charm that makes it the country's most colorful and off-beat destination. Most of the residents are descended from Afro-Caribbean laborers who settled there more than a century ag...
It was in Bodh Gaya, India, that Buddha attained enlightenment under a bodhi tree—which you can still visit, 225 mi/365 km northwest of Kolkata. However, the current tree is the fourth generation: The original was chopped down by Ashoka's wife, the second was struck by lightning, and the third was...
The northern terminus of the Norwegian railway, Bodo, Norway, is slightly north of the Arctic Circle (watch for the marker just before the train pulls into town) and 525 mi/845 km north of Oslo. There's not much to do in Bodo, although the modern cathedral is interesting, and the Norwegian Aviati...
Bodrum, Turkey, is a resort spread out on two crescent-shaped bays 320 mi/515 km southwest of Istanbul. It is a magnet for the jet set, and its artsy feel is overrun with development. Well-intentioned planning laws forbid construction of houses more than two stories tall, with the result that toda...
Overview Introduction Boffa, a quiet town at the mouth of the Pongo River, is best known as the site of the first Catholic mission in Guinea. Its pretty red-brick church is well worth a visit, especially for Sunday mass. Rent a pirogue (dugout canoe) and paddle around the river's mangroves; dow...
Bogazkoy, Turkey, the capital of the Hittite empire 2000-1180 BC, is interesting because double walls circle its ruins. Be sure to see the Royal Gate, the Yer Kapi (underground tunnel), the Lion Gate and the Great Temple of the Storm God of Hattusas. Archaeology buffs should plan a half-day visit ...
The Andean city of Santa Fe de Bogota, the capital city of Colombia, is where most visitors begin their experience in the country. Founded in 1538 by Spanish conquistadors, Bogota lies at the Western base of a mountain range that includes the shrine-topped peaks of Monserrate and Guadalupe. The...
Boise, Idaho, (pronounced BOY-see ), the state's capital, is a youthful, outdoorsy, hip small city. It attracts hordes of newcomers who work for its many high-tech companies. Start your tour of this easily navigable city at the state Capitol, a particularly fine example of Classic Revival archite...
Bolivia is an outstanding travel destination, especially for those interested in adventure, culture and ecotourism. Local tour groups proliferate, with many offering hikes along the Inca Trails—the twisting roads and pathways that knitted the ancient empire together. On some outings, visitors glide ...
Many people pass through Bologna, Italy, on their way elsewhere, which is a shame—it merits a stop of at least a day. Sometimes called "Bologna the fat," this city 65 mi/105 km north of Florence is a great place to indulge yourself: Many consider it the gastronomic capital of Italy. Must See or...
When scuba divers dream, they dream of Bonaire—all the waters surrounding the island form a marine park, making it one of the finest dive spots on the planet. It has crystal clear water and colorful reefs that in many places are easily accessed right from the shore. Underwater visibility can reach 1...
Overview Introduction This town near the border with Ghana has some fine French colonial buildings and a large market. It also has an interesting old Islamic university. Nearby is the village of Soko , where there are many tame monkeys that are more than happy to accept tourists' bananas. Becaus...
Overview Introduction Bonito (which means "beautiful") is one of Brazil's major ecotourism meccas. The small town in the southwest of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, 995 mi/1,600 km west of Rio de Janeiro, is surrounded by a spectacular array of natural attractions. These range from grottoes lik...
A few ministries remain in Bonn, Germany, but now that parliament and most of the government have moved to Berlin, the city has become a much quieter place. Some people would argue that it's always been quiet. But Bonn, 106 mi/170 km northwest of Frankfurt, still attracts travelers interested in v...
Bonner Springs, 18 mi/29 km west of Kansas City, is the home of the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, which displays artifacts and memorabilia depicting the triumphs and tragedies of rural life and the U.S. farmer (open mid-March through November). And the Society for Creative Anachro...
A short drive north of Des Moines, Boone makes a nice day trip from the capital. The Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace offers a look at the house where the former first lady lived until age 10, complete with period furnishings. Ledges State Park, just outside town, has intriguing sandstone ledges in ...
Situated 190 mi/306 km west of Raleigh, Boone, North Carolina, was named for Daniel Boone, who blazed a wilderness trail through the area in the late 1700s. Located just north of the resort town of Blowing Rock, Boone is a bustling place. It's the largest town in the area and is home to Appalachia...
A popular resort town tucked in around a picturesque harbor, Boothbay Harbor retains the look of an old-fashioned seaport. Boats are still important to this town that's about 35 mi/55 km northeast of Portland: Whale-watching excursions, puffin cruises and deep-sea-fishing charters all depart from t...
Overview Introduction This reserve is known for its population of lowland gorillas. It's the most convenient wildlife area for travelers staying in Libreville, where you can easily arrange a tour. (It's difficult to visit the reserve independently, as there are no accommodations, no camping allow...
The attractive town of Boquete, Panama, is the main tourist center of the Chiriqui highlands, 270 mi/450 km west of Panama City. The Chiriqui highlands offer a completely different side of Panama. The area boasts cloud forests, waterfalls, raging rivers and magnificent mountain scenery. Known as "Li...
Hyperbole seems to surround Bora Bora, French Polynesia. (Locals often refer to it with a singular "Bora.") Author James Michener called Bora Bora "the most beautiful island in the world," which may be a stretch, though its steep mountain peak and brilliant lagoon certainly are beautiful. Bora Bor...
An island resort just off the northwestern tip of Panay Island 195 mi/315 km southeast of Manila, Boracay, Philippines, is a fast-growing beach destination. Boracay boasts white-sand beaches and offers a range of accommodations from simple bamboo huts to resorts. Travelers enjoy sailing, windsur...
Bordeaux, France, an elegant city 360 mi/580 km southwest of Paris and near France's Atlantic coast, is the heart of the famous Bordeaux wine region. In addition, Bordeaux has some of France's best 18th-century architecture, a major fine-arts museum and a world-renowned wine museum. Go for a walk...
Overview Introduction This village could be considered the nation's doorstep: The funicular linking the capital to the rest of the world originates in Borgo Maggiore. It is also the home of San Marino's Philatelic and Numismatical Museum, which displays coins and stamps dating from 1877. The vill...
Bornholm, Denmark, is one of the Danes' favorite vacation spots. This easternmost island (100 mi/160 km southeast of Copenhagen and just off the southern tip of Sweden) has great beaches, small fishing villages, hiking trails and bicycle routes. The marked trails in the Almindingen Forest take you p...
Bosnia and Herzegovina has made considerable progress in improving its infrastructure since the civil war that officially ended in late 1995. Today, Bosnian cities have all the usual modern technology, services and international standards found in countries around the world. There is commercial ai...
The prime attraction of the ancient city of Bosra (founded in 4000 BC) is its Roman amphitheater encased in a medieval Arab fortress. In a nearby archaeological zone, you'll find the third-century AD Bab al Qandil (gate), Roman baths, the Umayyad Mosque of Omar, the Mosque of Fatima and the House of...
Boston, Massachusetts, is inundated with visitors every year and for good reason: It's partly a walkable historic park (especially the Freedom Trail) and partly a modern waterfront metropolis (the "Hub of New England") with no lack of things to do once darkness descends. Fenway Park—one of the nati...
Botswana, Africa, with lots of wide-open spaces—and lots of wildlife to fill them—is one of the few remaining destinations in Africa where the adventuresome safari spirit still survives. Travelers on safari in Botswana get to see an ark full of animals in the wild: lazing in the waters of the Okavan...
Called the City of Happiness, Bou Saada has nice old streets, locally famous mosques (El Nekla and Ouled Attik) and a fortress from the Middle Ages. You can also spend time watching the various craftsmen at work. Plan to spend one night in this city 155 mi/250 km south of Algiers.
Overview Introduction Located to the east of Brazzaville on the main road, the Bouenza region contains the Nkila-Ntari Caves, a tropical-fruit plantation and Lakes Malengue and Sinda. As beautiful as the lakes are, don't go in the water—it's filled with crocodiles and hippos.
Bougainville may be familiar to World War II veterans as the place where Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto (who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor and Midway) was shot down while on an inspection tour in 1943. Today, it's a troubled island in northern Solomons Province. Bougainville has been a center of civi...
In the Ardennes Forest, near the border with France, is the Duke of Bouillon Castle, one of the most beautiful medieval fortresses in the country. The castle can be visited during the day, but for a touch of excitement, go at night when it's lit by torches (July and August). We like to watch the tor...
Located only 35 mi/56 km northwest of Denver and pressed right up against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder has been attracting tourists for a century, ever since the first hotel opened in 1909 (the Hotel Boulderado is still operating). On the Pearl Street Pedestrian Mall, the city hums...
Boulder City, just west of Hoover Dam, is one of a kind. One of the first planned cities in the U.S., it was built by the federal government to house the more than 4,000 workers who built Hoover Dam in the early 1930s, Intended by the federal government as a model city, Boulder City was a governmen...
Overview Introduction Boumalne, a small rural village with a Wednesday market, a bank and a hammam, is the gateway to the Dades Gorge. The fertile oases set against the rocky landscapes are enchanting. There are also several picturesque casbahs in the valley. Boumalne is 120 mi/195 km east of Mar...
This large area of gorgeous lakes and rivers is managed by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and lies along Minnesota's northeastern border with Ontario, Canada. One reason the waters remain unspoiled is that most of the territory is off-limits not only to motorized vehicles of all kinds but also mechaniz...
Located about 151 mi/244 km south of Paris, Bourges is renowned for its Gothic Cathedral of St. Etienne, which has beautiful stained-glass windows. While in the city, see the wonderful Gothic Palais Jacques-Coeur, the sculptures and furnishings in the Renaissance Lallemant and Cujas mansions and t...
Overview Introduction Located near the village of Bourscheid, Luxembourg, in the Sure Valley, 25 mi/ 41 km north of Luxembourg City, are the partially restored ruins of 1,000-year-old Bourscheid Castle, which is one of the largest fortress complexes in the area. It commands impressive views over ...
Overview Introduction Nestled at the foot of majestic mountains in a broad, wooded valley cut by the winding Soca River, Bovec, Slovenia, provides an inviting base for year-round outdoor recreation. This tiny resort in the upper Soca Valley, 90 mi/140 km northwest of Ljubljana, attracts downhill ...
Bowie, Maryland is located in the central part of the state, 35 mi/22km southwest of Baltimore. Horse aficionados will appreciate a trip to Bowie to see the Belair Mansion stables. Called the "Cradle of American Racing," the stables at Belair have produced two Triple Crown winners: Gallant Fox and...
Bowling Green, about midway between Louisville and Nashville, Tennessee, is of special interest to sports-car buffs: This is Corvetteville. You can see the cars being made at the GM Corvette Assembly Plant. If you're lucky, at the end of the tour you may get to turn the key in a new 'Vette—one perso...
Overview Introduction North of Worcester, in Boylston, Massachusetts, the Tower Hill Botanic Garden offers an educational and peaceful detour. Its 18th-century-style greenhouse filled with subtropical specimens is a nice escape in winter.
Some of Ireland's most venerable historic sites lie along the River Boyne, north of Dublin. Bru na Boinne contains a series of fascinating neolithic-passage graves more than 5,000 years old. Though it is often called Newgrange, the name of its most famous tomb, it also encompasses sites at Knowth, D...
Known to the ancients as Tenedos, the prettier of Turkey's two inhabited Aegean islands, Bozcaada has everything going for it: sandy beaches, a dramatic castle, lovely old stone houses, well-regarded vineyards (there's a wine-tasting festival each June) and fish restaurants ringing a harbor. Not s...
The home of Montana State University, 140 mi/225 km west of Billings, Bozeman has a reputation for being the state's hip town as well as a major agricultural center. The city's historic downtown area offers more than 100 shops and restaurants. Bozeman is also well-situated between two of the state...
Located about 172 mi/278 km from Zagreb, Brac is the third largest island in the Croatian Adriatic. It offers beautiful scenery and the highest mountain of any Croatian island, the Vidova Gora. Excellent passenger and car ferry service (10 ferries daily, with more in the summer season) takes you fro...
Braga, Portugal, the capital of the lush region known as the Minho, or Costa Verde, is an early Roman and Christian town, seat of the archbishop and site of the Festival of St. John. It is located 30 mi/50 km northeast of Porto. The city's cathedral is an impressive one, and the Easter processions a...
Braganca, Portugal, enjoys a certain isolation, as it is located 160 mi/255 km northeast of Porto, in the province of Tras-os-Montes (Behind the Mountains), near the border with Spain. Its insularity ensures that it remains full of character and quiet charm. This impressive medieval walled city ha...
One of the province's largest cities, Brandon is primarily an agricultural and industrial crossroads. We recommend seeing the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre (one of five farms established in 1886 under the Experimental Farm Stations Act) an...
Spread over northern Delaware and part of Pennsylvania, 7 mi/10 km north of Wilmington, this scenic and historic valley is a must-see for any visitor to Wilmington. The top draw is Winterthur, the former estate of Henry Francis du Pont. The mansion contains one of the top collections of American an...
An area of exceptional historical and cultural interest, the valley of the Brandywine River (where southeastern Pennsylvania meets northern Delaware) is a popular weekend getaway for residents of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. Brandywine Valley is 25 mi/40 km southwest of Philadelphia. Seve...
Many people wonder how a tiny town in a quiet corner of the Midwest became a major center of entertainment and tourism. If you pay a visit to the Branson, Missouri, it starts to make more sense. The mountains and lakes of southwest Missouri are a beautiful place to visit. In fact, a fair amount of ...
Overview Introduction What is a winery and resort built in the style of a 16th-century chateau doing in a small town in Georgia? We don't know, but we enjoyed it anyway. Chateau Elan successfully captures the romanticism of wine-making usually associated with the wineries of California. There are...
Brasilia, the nation's capital, was constructed from scratch in the late 1950s, carved out of the land 575 mi/925 km northwest of Rio de Janeiro. Located near the geographical center of the country, it replaced Rio de Janeiro as the capital in 1960. Built in only three years under the direction of B...
This beautiful 800-year-old city at the foot of the Transylvanian Alps demands at least two nights. The main attraction is the 14th-century Black Church (Biserica Neagra), which became black with soot and ash during a 1689 fire. It's the largest Gothic church in the country, with a 4,000-pipe organ,...
Overview Introduction This is the center for vanilla production on the island. Take a guided tour of the vanilla fields, visit the factory and shop for some of the beans in area shops. The Riviere des Roches (Rock River) empties into the ocean nearby, forming a freshwater lagoon that's great for ...
Bratislava, Slovakia's capital, is a charming city that sits at the point where the Carpathian Mountains meet the Danube River. The city has two personalities: The first is old-world, Hapsburg baroque, reflected in the charming row houses and the historic Old Quarter. The other is characterized by ...
The gateway to Vermont for travelers driving north on Interstate 91, Brattleboro is a cultural and artistic community 120 mi/195 km southeast of Burlington. It has lots of ecominded and social-activist residents, plus a food co-op and nice small shops. It has a lovely reservoir, known as the Retreat...
A largely undeveloped park, Braulio Carrillo National Park lies in the mountains 40 mi/65 km east of San Jose on the way to Limon, and is sometimes referred to as "the lungs of San Jose." Some of its beautiful yet rugged mountain scenery and waterfalls can be seen from the San Jose-to-Limon highway....
Overview Introduction Set on the coast, this town has interesting Arabian architecture. 90 mi/145 km southwest of Mogadishu.
The lush, mountainous and isolated island of Brava, in the Sotavento or Leeward Islands 80 mi/130 km west of Praia, is one of our favorites. Its main town is tidy and beautiful Nova Sintra. The city is perched in the crater of an extinct volcano, and locals boast that it has the loveliest sunsets in...
Everything in Brazil seems larger than life. It has the world's wildest party, greatest waterfall, biggest wetlands, mightiest river and largest rain forest, as well as one of the most unique and diverse cultures on the planet. For travelers, Brazil's sheer size and variety can be overwhelming. B...
It's no coincidence that this capital city (pop. 1,153,000) is located where it is: Brazzaville is as far west as river traffic can go before it runs into the Congo Rapids. (The remainder of the journey to the mouth of the river has to be made by rail.) Brazzaville, which is directly across the Cong...
Located about two hours from Denver, Breckenridge is a former mining town that sits 9,600 ft/2,976 m above sea level. Once a ghost town, Breck, as anyone who has ever been there seems to call it, was brought back to life by the ski business. The booming ski business provided the motivation for ren...
Set in the center of southern Wales, Brecon Beacons National Park is recognized as a European Geopark because of its exceptional geological features. Brecon Beacons begins 28 mi/45 km north of Cardiff and is crossed by two mountain ranges, the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons, and also inclu...
Breisach, Germany, is a small but charming town situated along the Rhine, located halfway between Freiburg, Germany and Colmar, France. A Romanesque cathedral dating from the 13th century, St. Stephansmunster towers majestically on a hill above the town and draws visitors to see the late Gothic al...
A nice day trip from Hamburg, Bremen, Germany, is an old Hanseatic League trading city. In the 14th century, Bremen was an important port city, but the port has since been filled in, and the harbor area is in the process of being revitalized as a center for restaurants, art galleries and shops. ...
Just across the border from Poland, Brest (pop. 347,576) is an important industrial, transportation and transit hub. It's the usual entry place from points west (Warsaw is only three-and-a-half hours away by train). Though it's an old city (founded in the 11th century), it had to be rebuilt after th...
Bridger Bowl Ski Area, one of Montana's most popular slopes, lies 16 mi/26 km northeast of Bozeman. There are 1,800 acres/728 hectares of skiable terrain, including an additional 400 acres/161 hectares in the Slushman's area. Bridger Bowl has 71 runs, the longest measuring 3 mi/5 km. The resort's ...
One of the oldest cities in the Caribbean, Bridgetown, Barbados, has a compact, walkable downtown that is surrounded by a sprawl of wooden houses, 19th-century coral-stone villas and modern homes. Fragrant flowers and lush trees are everywhere. You could easily spend the day just exploring the stre...
The charming little town of Bridgton, Maine, 40 mi/65 km northwest of Portland, is home to a few cavernous antiques shops dotted along the main street. If you're interested in the historical aspects of New England, then be sure not to miss Narramissic, a working farm from the Civil War era. https:/...
Overview Introduction If you're near the village of Brig, Switzerland, which is 105 mi/170 km southeast of Bern, allow two hours or so to visit the nearby Rhone Glacier. This pretty town with its historic center is dominated by the baroque Stockalper Palace, built by a wealthy merchant of that na...
Brighton, England, originally became a fashionable town in the 18th century, when the Prince of Wales (later George IV) built and took up occasional residence at the Royal Pavilion. Today, it is a hip, vibrant, and free-spirited city that mixes an elegant Regency heritage with eccentric bohemian coo...
Brignoles is a large market town and serves well as a central base from which to explore Provence. The town's history is as an aluminum and bauxite mining center, but more recently has moved towards agriculture, particularly wine-making and olive farming, as well as some light industry. It is known ...
Spelled either Brijuni or Brioni, these 14 beautiful cypress-covered Adriatic islands, 10 mi/16 km northwest of Pula, are a national park. Only two of the islands (Mali Brijun and Veliki Brijun) can be visited by tourists, and then only by organized tour or if you are staying at one of the resorts l...
Located on the heel of Italy's boot, Brindisi played an important maritime role for the Romans, but it was originally an ancient Greek settlement. Many visitors to Brindisi pass through en route to the ferry to either Greece or Albania. However, several fascinating churches, a couple of castles, t...
Brisbane, known as "Brissie" to the locals, is Australia's third largest city. It attracts crowds, not just because it's a convenient place to stay while enjoying nearby subtropical forests, wildlife and beaches, but in its own right. Downtown, centered along bends in the Brisbane River, is a vi...
The famed port town of Bristol, England, is actually about 8 mi/13 km inland, on the River Avon, and 105 mi/170 km west of London. Bristol is a nice place to spend a day, although you do have to search out the attractions amid some rather unappealing post-World War II construction. Geography B...
Bristol, Connecticut, makes for an interesting day trip from Hartford. It's about 20 mi/32 km southwest of Hartford. Among the attractions in Bristol is the American Clock and Watch Museum, which has a huge collection of chronometers of all kinds (April-November).
Downtown Bristol, 15 mi/25 km southeast of Providence, draws visitors today just as it drew shipbuilders and sailors in centuries past. Be sure to see the Herreshoff Marine Museum, which is home to more than 60 classic and modern yachts, a collection of seafaring memorabilia and the America's Cup H...
Along the Sea-to-Sky Highway and 35 mi/56 km north of Vancouver, lies the quiet hamlet of Britannia Beach, British Columbia. In the early 1900s, the isolated place attracted miners and quickly became known as the company town of the Britannia Mining and Smelting Company. It's named after the nearby...
The west coast of British Columbia is made up of majestic mountains plunging into deep blue waters. Add in tall forests, great rivers, rare birds, whales, salmon, bears, boats and small villages, and you've got a place of truly breathtaking beauty. With these attractions—as well as the inland mount...
No golf. No glitter. Not much shopping. The British Virgin Islands (often referred to as B.V.I.) may be only a few miles/kilometers away from the U.S. Virgin Islands, but don't expect the tourist bustle of St. Thomas. The British Virgin Islands have spectacular sailing waters and coral reefs that su...
Jutting out into the Atlantic from France's northwest coast, Brittany is a region of charming seaside towns and remains the last bastion of Celtic culture on the European mainland. Its dramatic seascapes, good seafood and generally tranquil air have long endeared the area to Parisians and other city...
Brno, the Czech Republic's second-largest city, lies 115 mi/185 km southeast of Prague and merits at least a day to enjoy its impressive medieval architecture. Sites in the Moravian city include the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, Old Town Hall and the Capuchin Monastery. The 13th-century Spi...
This small city of Broken Hill, 265 mi/425 km northeast of Adelaide on the edge of the Outback, was once known as Silver City. Today, it's visited for its flourishing arts colony. It is in the western portion of New South Wales (near the South Australia border) and is well worth a two-night visit. ...
Surrounding the spectacular Semeru Volcano, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru park lies 70 mi/112 km southeast of Surabaya. It was closed temporarily in mid-2004 because of volcanic eruptions and was briefly put on heightened alert in 2006 and again in 2011 and 2016. Check its status before visiting. Attractio...
Hilly Brown County (east of Bloomington, 40 mi/65 km south of Indianapolis and just north of the Hoosier National Forest boundary) is a pretty area that's a popular weekend sightseeing destination. That's especially true in autumn, when thousands of Indianapolis residents take to its rural roads to ...
Overview Introduction Brownsberg Nature Park, located on a magnificent rain-forest plateau 80 mi/130 km south of Paramaribo, is one of the best places in South America to explore the rain forest—marked trails make getting into the forest easy. The park has an amazing variety of birds and animals,...
Located about 60 mi/95 km northwest of Brussels, Bruges, Belgium, is known for its scenic canals, ancient squares, beguinage (a typical Flemish medieval housing concept), art museums featuring exclusive artistic heritage such as paintings by the Flemish primitives, architecture and some of the bes...
The elegant hilltop suburb of Brunate is home to a plethora of villas and gardens. It can be reached in seven minutes via a small funicular from the eastern end of the Lungo Lario Trieste, which runs along the shore of Lake Como. The views from the "Balcony of the Alps" are, of course, fabulous. A...
An oil-rich speck on the north coast of Borneo, the country of Brunei Darussalam is well known for its free-spending Sultan (whose full name is His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien), long considered one o...
Bowdoin College's beautiful 110-acre/45-hectare campus, where Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow both studied, is a focal point of Brunswick, 30 mi/50 km north of Portland. The college administers the fascinating Peary-Macmillan Arctic Museum (http://www.bowdoin.edu/arctic-museum), d...
This set of islands is in the far southeastern corner of the state, 130 mi/210 km southeast of Raleigh, near the South Carolina border along the coast of Brunswick County. Most of the islands are accessible by car, except for Bald Head Island, which is reached by boat. White-sand beaches, golfing, ...
Brussels is best described by one word: cosmopolitan. Nearly one in four city residents is an expatriate drawn there, typically by business or government ties. Brussels is not just the capital of Belgium, but also the capital of the European Union. So when you're sipping hot chocolate at a sidewalk...
Texas A&M University is the main reason to visit Bryan and is the reason its sibling city College Station came into being. Located 150 mi/240 km south of Dallas, the university is the home of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, which contains documents and memorabilia about the...
Located 200 mi/335 km south of Salt Lake City, Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park's surreal landscape is not a true canyon but a large natural amphitheater. A strange and wonderful place, the park is centered around formations known as hoodoos —thousands of pillars that tower above the amphitheater f...
The beautiful old town of Bucaco (also called Bussaco), Portugal, has a lovely walled forest where you'll find more than 700 types of trees (the most striking are the enormous cypresses). The towering canopy shades mossy paths, clear pools, and lovely ferns and lilies. After walking through the fo...
Bucerias, Mexico, a tiny fishing village in Nayarit, is a step back in time to Old Mexico. Bucerias still proudly shows off its cobblestoned streets, delightful main plaza, unique shops and umbrella-shaded sidewalk cafes, though encroaching condo developments are slowly changing the quaintness. ...
Bucharest, Romania, the 500-year-old capital that was once touted as the Paris of eastern Europe, is undergoing changes as it breaks free from its past and joins other former Soviet-satellite capitals that are now part of the prosperous European Union. Geography Bucharest is situated in the Romani...
St. Croix's small Buck Island, 3 mi/5 km from Christiansted, has beautiful, pristine beaches and offers exceptional diving and snorkeling. Managed by the National Park Service as part of the Buck Island Reef National Monument, the island is usually seen as a day trip from Christiansted. A variety of...
This historic area along the Delaware River is renowned for a gracious, wealthy lifestyle that has attracted celebrities from Oscar Hammerstein to Pearl Buck to James A. Michener. The county seat is Doylestown, where you will find some of the area's best museums along historic Mercer Mile: the Fonth...
Budapest, Hungary, may be the capital of the landlocked country, but it's far from dry. In fact, Budapest's most seductive element is water. It springs from underground wells, filling Ottoman, neoclassical and art-nouveau pools. It flows through the city in the broad and meandering Danube River, ...
Budva, Montenegro, located 45 mi/75 km southwest of Podgorica, is one of the busiest resort towns along the country's coast. Budva was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1979 but was rebuilt, including the Venetian-style old town center and its surrounding wall. The city has a solid tourist infra...
Overview Introduction Set amid pine groves at an elevation of 3,165 ft/965 m, Buea is a resort town whose main attractions are its scenic backdrop, Mt. Cameroon (the tallest mountain in West Africa), and its cool climate, a relief from the heat and humidity below. Plan to stay a couple of days, t...
This small town in west-central Georgia has two claims to fame, one having to do with music and the other with art. The music comes from several attractions that opened in the early 1990s. The National Country Music Museum has a unique collection that includes a pair of Tanya Tucker's stage boots ...
Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a wonderful combination of sleek skyscrapers and past grandeur, a collision of the ultrachic and tumbledown. Still, there has always been an undercurrent of melancholy in B.A. (as it is affectionately known by expats who call Buenos Aires home), which may help explain re...
Buffalo, New York, may first conjure up thoughts of snow and more snow—the city is famous for its white winters. It also originated the spicy chicken wings that have become one of the country's favorite finger foods. Niagara Falls is only a short drive away and a world-famous travel destination, wh...
Overview Introduction If you want to see what the Great Plains looked like before the coming of farms and fences, spend some time in this park. Buffalo Gap National Grassland encompasses a large area in southwestern South Dakota (it surrounds Wall and Badlands National Park and is 55 mi/140 km so...
In the Purcell Mountains, 480 mi/770 km east of Vancouver and between Golden and Kimberley, lies the Bugaboo Glacier and Bugaboo Glacier Provincial Park, British Columbia. We've never heard of anyone who didn't enjoy the helicopter ride to the glacier—it's truly an exciting experience, especially du...
To see Hungarian cowboys in action, try a trip to Bugac, where horse shows are featured daily during the summer. This sandy puszta area of Hungary 78 mi/125 km southeast of Budapest, which is flat and rather bleak, is locally known for its traditional breeds of fork-horned cattle and twisted-hor...
Builth Wells was once famous for its medicinal waters and spas, along with Llandrindod Wells (the best preserved of the Wells towns), Llangammarch Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells. All the towns are located in a beautiful hilly section of Wales, 66 mi/106 km north of Cardiff. From Llanwrtyd Wells there i...
Also known as Usumbura , Burundi's capital and largest city (pop. 367,000) is set at the northeastern end of Lake Tanganyika. Mountains (located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) are visible across the lake. The city has enough of interest to fill a couple of days. There are a number of Ger...
Bukhara, Uzbekistan, is an inhabited museum of a city, resplendent with impressive architecture spanning many periods. It's not as compact and easy to explore as Khiva, and its monuments aren't as gigantic and colorful as those in Samarkand, but in our opinion Bukhara is the most fascinating Silk Ro...
Overview Introduction Set in cattle and mining country, Bulawayo is the second-largest city in Zimbabwe. It is an attractive place with tree-lined streets originally designed by the colonists to be wide enough in which to turn an ox-drawn cart. Although it has more than 500,000 residents, it has ...
Bulgaria had such a grim reputation during the Communist era that it hardly conjures up images of sun, spas and roses. Now, however, adventurous travelers are discovering what eastern Europeans have known for millennia: Bulgaria is a great place to sightsee and relax, from its sunny Black Sea resor...
Overview Introduction Bulla Regia is one of the most interesting Roman sites in the country, built above and (to keep cool) below the ground. Visit the ruins of the Forum, the Memmian Baths, the Palace of Fishing (see the basement fountain) and the House of Amphitrite. Mosaics are often the highl...
The four valleys known as Bumthang are located in the east-central part of the country, surrounded by heavenly apple groves (the juice is fantastic) and fields of barley. Bumthang is the area where Buddhism first took hold in Bhutan. The town of Jakar has several temples, including Kurjey Lhakhang a...
Overview Introduction This oasis town was once an important stop along a caravan route. Today the town shares the oasis with the town of Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The main reason to go to Buraimi is to cross into the U.A.E. and take the opportunity to compare the two national cultures. ...
Bulgaria's fourth-largest city, the coastal city of Burgas was once a Roman fishing village. Today, it is Bulgaria's major port and industrial center. It is also the location of a sizable marina where both yachts and small boats can dock. Burgas International Airport is the second largest in Bulgari...
Known for its hearty red and fleshy white wines, the Burgundy region occupies a swath of territory southeast of Paris. Dijon is the largest city in Burgundy and an easy 193-mi/311-km trip southeast of Paris. With a name synonymous worldwide with mustard, Dijon boasts not only a mustard museum but...
Overview Introduction The resourceful Burkinabe, as the people of Burkina Faso are known, have made the most of what little nature has given them. In fact, they have made sure that their poor, dusty country in Western Africa does not remain in obscurity, far from the beaten track. In odd-numbered...
In eastern Colorado, in an expanse of grassland sometimes referred to as Colorado's Outback, Burlington takes you back to frontier days. That's especially true when you visit Old Town, an authentic turn-of-the-20th-century village with a museum and more than 20 historic buildings, including a sod ho...
Vermont's largest city, Burlington occupies a strategic place on Lake Champlain, on the state's western border with New York. Burlington has an active, vibrant downtown area. It centers on Church Street Marketplace, a pedestrian mall lined with tasteful shops and excellent restaurants. The Magic B...
Overview Introduction Only 11 mi/17 km east of Vancouver, Burnaby, British Columbia is an outdoor hub for city dwellers with its 25% green space. Home to more than a dozen parks, the city's Central Park is literally an urban forest of towering Douglas firs, hemlocks and maples. For marine lovers,...
Overview Introduction Fishing should be the main reason for visiting Burns Lake, British Columbia. Located 625 mi/1,010 km north of Vancouver, it's the headquarters for an area with 500 lakes and is world-renowned among serious anglers. One of the best spots is the area between Burns Lake and Ter...
Bursa, Turkey, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, is justly famed for its tiled architecture. You'll find the best examples in the old mosques of this city 60 mi/100 km south of Istanbul—notably the Yesil Cami (Green Mosque), which was completed in 1424, and the Muradiye Mosque, which is surro...
Overview Introduction Burundi used to call itself the Switzerland of Africa (a title that was also claimed by neighboring Rwanda). But while it has mountains, the country has known little Swiss-style peace or neutrality, especially in the past few years. The same ethnic tensions between the Hutu ...
Situated about 210 mi/340 km southeast of Seoul, Busan is South Korea's largest port and second-largest metropolis. There's plenty in Busan for a full day of sightseeing: Take in the view from Busan Tower in Yongdusan Park, and visit the Yi Sun-shin statue, the Jagalchi fish market (best seen 6-7 ...
Near the town of Bushiribana, on the northeast coast of the island, was Aruba's Natural Bridge, a much-touted attraction that collapsed in September 2005. Brochures glowingly described it as a natural wonder sculpted out of coral rock by centuries of raging wind and sea. There's not much to see in ...
Overview Introduction This small beachfront village 120 mi/200 km west of Accra has emerged as the most important travel hub on the west coast. It hosts a lively beachfront scene that attracts locals and foreigners alike and is serviced by a great selection of hotels and resorts catering to most ...
This compact town near the Burundi border was the administrative capital of Rwanda in the colonial era, although it was renamed Astrida in 1935 following the death of the young Belgian Queen Astrid in a car accident. It reverted to the name Butare after independence and was officially renamed Huye i...
Overview Introduction Butrint is a city of impressive ruins—and a UNESCO World Heritage Site 10 mi/15 km south of Saranda—that dates from the fourth century BC. The stunning archaeological and ecological location is professionally supervised. There are summer digs and musical evenings in the amph...
When Butte was a rip-roaring copper town, there were two things to do—work in the mines and drink in the saloons. Your choices aren't quite so limited these days. The city's rich history has been preserved—with a kind of rambunctious elegance—in everything from old mines to old buildings, making it ...
On the Baengma River in the Honam region, 95 mi/150 km south of Seoul, Buyeo is home to the Buyeo National Museum. The town's main claim to fame is that it was the last capital of the Baekje kingdom. Area sights include the Unjin Miruk Buddha (75 ft/23 m high) at Gwanchoksa, King Muryeong's Tomb (gl...
Buzios (pronounced BOO-zee-ohs ) is a pricey, attractive resort area jutting into the Atlantic on the Cabo Frio Peninsula 125 mi/200 km northeast of Rio de Janeiro. The resort is made up of three settlements (Armacao, Ossos and Manguinhos) surrounded by nearly 30 idyllic beaches ranging from long,...
180 mi/290 km southwest of Kampala, Bwindi has more mountain gorillas than any other park in Africa—about half the world's population, which is thought to be as few as 785. Gorillas live in family troops led by a dominant silverback—so called because of the band of white fur around his middle that h...
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