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Located 50 mi/80 km west of Cologne, near the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands, Aachen, Germany, gained prominence as the capital of Charlemagne's empire. From 936 to 1531, it served as the coronation city for German kings, many of whom are depicted on the facade of the Town Hall. Today, Aach...
Thousand-year-old Aalborg, Denmark, set in the northern part of Jutland (140 mi/220 km northwest of Copenhagen, and a seven-hour drive), has excellent shopping and several attractions: the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg, the nearby Limfjord, the Monastery of the Holy Ghost, Aalborghus Castle,...
In the spectacular fjord country of Aalesund, Norway, 240 mi/385 km northwest of Oslo on the coast between Bergen and Trondheim, lies a fishing center of about 40,000 people that covers three islands and is worth a visit to see its art-nouveau architecture. Nearby sights include the "bird island"...
Practically next door to Schiphol Airport and 10 mi/15 km south of Amsterdam, Aalsmeer is where the country's flower growers hold their auctions. This corporate floriculture can be seen on weekday mornings with a self-guided tour. You can also observe the bidding from a special gallery. Afterward,...
Denmark's second-largest city, Aarhus lies midway between Copenhagen and Aalborg. Dating from the time of the Vikings, Aarhus has beautiful trees and beaches and is a pleasant town to walk through. Sights include a cathedral, a music hall, Marselisborg Forest (home to Marselisborg Castle, where...
Abbeville County was the birthplace of John C. Calhoun, the influential politician who defended the rights of southern states before the Civil War. As Calhoun's home and as the place where the first secession document was presented, the town has been called "the birthplace of the Confederacy." Vis...
Named after the first European to sight New Zealand, Abel Tasman National Park is 170 mi/280 km northwest of Christchurch. Its location on the South Island has a beautiful rocky coastline edged by rain forest and offers many opportunities for hiking, sea kayaking, boating and simply relaxing on the ...
Overview Introduction On the western side of Kiribati, this atoll, whose name means "Island of Moonlight," has good diving and snorkeling facilities and accommodations. Plan to stay three nights, but only if you're a beach-lover or a diver. Robert Louis Stevenson lived on the island for a few mon...
Located 100 mi/160 km north of Nairobi, scenic Aberdare National Park in Kenya's Aberdare Mountain Range has a diverse topography that includes waterfalls, rain forests and rivers. At the highest elevations, the forests give way to open moors. Although home to a variety of animals, the dense forest ...
Aberdeen, Scotland's third-largest city, is characterized by buildings of beautiful granite. Set beside the North Sea 150 mi/240 km northeast of Glasgow, Aberdeen is both a university town and the capital of the Scottish oil boom. In addition, it is one of Scotland's largest seaside resorts. The c...
Aberystwyth is home to Aberystwyth University and a popular stopover for people traveling north or south along the shore. It is 118 mi/190 km northwest of Cardiff. You could spend a whole day visiting its attractions, which include two pretty bays, a seashore promenade, the National Library of Wal...
The country's former capital and largest city, Abidjan is dominated by the central business district, "Le Plateau." Before the country's current political turmoil Abidjan gained notoriety as the "Paris of West Africa" from its cosmopolitan mix of citizens, who, wearing the latest in Paris fashions o...
In the 1860s, Abilene, Kansas, was the northern terminus of the legendary cattle route known as the Chisholm Trail. Longhorn cattle from Texas were driven north on the trail to Kansas, one of the few Midwestern states with access to the railroad. As it grew into a boomtown, this town 85 mi/140 km we...
Located 155 mi/240 km west of Dallas, Abilene, Texas, is no-nonsense and conservative, but it's capable of having a good time. The economy of this former Texas & Pacific railhead is based primarily on agriculture and oil. The Abilene Zoo emphasizes animals from Texas, the Southwest and Central...
Located northwest of Santa Fe and 80 mi/130 km north of Albuquerque, Abiquiu, New Mexico, is where artist Georgia O'Keeffe lived for many years. You can still see the beautiful chimney rock formations (and even a few cattle skulls) made famous in her later works. During your visit, see Abiquiu's ...
This town has several sights related to the time when it was the capital of the ancient Dahomey Kingdom. Begin at the Abomey Royal History Museum, established over the remains of the once-grand Royal Palaces of Abomey (classified as an endangered site on UNESCO's World Heritage List). Various restor...
Prior to the discovery of oil in 1958, the emirate of Abu Dhabi was basically a poor, rural wasteland. Today, it has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. The emirate is characterized by three political or geographic divisions: the city of Abu Dhabi, Al-Ain and the offshore islands. T...
The two magnificent temples at Egypt's Abu Simbel site overlook Lake Nasser. The facade of the main temple has four 67-ft-/20-m-tall statues of Ramses II (the fact that some of the statues are in partial ruin does not diminish their impact). As you walk through the Grand Hall and other interior room...
Abuja, Nigeria, is a planned city, built from scratch to be the country's capital (which it became in 1991). Abuja lies very close to the geographical center of Nigeria, a location chosen to appease all the ethnic groups. It has also been a very expensive undertaking and has cost billions of dollars...
Overview Introduction Located 20 mi/35 km north of Accra, Aburi has an excellent botanical garden, which can be seen on a day trip. Nearby is the Tafo Cocoa Research Institute, and the garden easily can be visited en route between Accra and Akosombo Dam.
Mexico's original seaside resort, Acapulco has enticed vacationers since the 1930s. The Kennedys and the Clintons honeymooned there, Elizabeth Taylor was married there, Placido Domingo has a home there, and other film stars have been relaxing beneath its palms since the heydays of Errol Flynn and F...
The capital of Ghana, Accra (pronounced ah-CRA ) is a pleasant coastal city of 2 million people located 125 mi/200 km southeast of Kumasi. The city, which was the capital of the British Gold Coast from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, is a lively display of old and new culture, architecture and hi...
New Mexico has many pueblos, but this ancient settlement, 60 mi/100 km west of Albuquerque, is one of the most stunning. Known also as Sky City, it sits majestically on a high mesa. Acoma is thought to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the U.S.—it may have been built in the mid...
Rich in history, Acre, Israel, (also called Akko) provides a nice break in any drive along the Mediterranean coastline in the area of Galilee. Plan at least half a day to explore its heritage in the Old City—Romans, Crusaders and Napoleon all passed through. Acre is located 80 mi/130 km northwest of...
Overview Introduction This pretty fishing village set on the mouth of the Volta River, 60 mi/100 km east of Accra, is serviced by several low-key beach resorts. It's a great place to chill out, and the adjacent Songor Ramsar Site is an important breeding site for several species of marine birds a...
Located 240 mi/385 km southeast of Ankara, Adana, Turkey, is sometimes called the City of Gold because of its numerous jewelry shops. (Then again, nearly every city in Turkey has large gold and silver districts.) Adana is not a major tourist center, but it does have a few sights in its old town. T...
The capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa is translated from Amharic as "The New Flower." Near the center of the country at an elevation of 7,600 ft/2,500 m and lying 350 mi/565 km south of Aksum, the capital city sits in a narrow valley in the shadow of Mount Entotto. Founded in 1887 by Emperor Men...
Proclaimed in 1931 in an effort to save the last 16 elephants in the area, Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa, has grown into a 444,700-acre/180,000-hectare reserve, home to more than 550 elephants and an array of other wildlife and birdlife. There, the Big Five becomes the Big Seven because ...
Adelaide, the capital of the state of South Australia, sits on the shores of the Gulf of St. Vincent about 725 mi/1,165 km west of Sydney. The city is noted for handsome Victorian and Edwardian buildings and its many churches. History Adelaide grew out of Australia's convict history, when the ...
Overview Introduction First mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel, this historic port city (pop. 560,000) and former capital of PDR Yemen was once a thriving trading city, but after Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to Asia around Africa in 1498, its fortunes waned. Most travelers visit Yemen's e...
North of the New Guinea mainland, this island chain, known locally as the province of Manus, has many large and beautiful atolls. Manusians are relatively well-educated compared with many of their New Guinea counterparts, and some can understand English. At Lorengau , on the main island of Manus, ...
The second largest island in the Saronic Gulf and easily reached from the mainland, Aegina (20 mi/30 km southwest of Athens) is usually seen on a full-day cruise from Trocadero or Piraeus (some trips also include the islands of Hydra and Poros). The boats arrive at Aegina's main port and town of the...
The Aeolian Islands—Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli and the relatively undeveloped Alicudi and Filicudi—lie off the north coast of Sicily, 80 mi/130 km northeast of Palermo. These seven volcanic islands were known to the ancient Greeks as the home of Aeolus, god of the winds; they are ...
This Central Asian country has started to rebuild after the fall of the repressive Taliban regime in November 2001. It is redefining its politics and alliances, and re-creating its physical infrastructure and society. But it still has a long way to go. Although little girls are once again allowed to...
This city of 30,000, located near the center of Niger, is often referred to as the sister city of Timbuktu. It's simply fascinating. If you approach overland, you'll see it rise right out of the desert: Its distinctive sand-brick architecture blends in so well with the Sahel you may think it's a mir...
The southern resort of Agadir, 125 mi/200 km southwest of Marrakech, draws large numbers of sun-seeking tourists, but it lacks the traditional charm of other cities in Morocco. It was rebuilt and overdeveloped in the 1960s following a devastating earthquake. Go there for the warm winter weather, th...
Overview Introduction Agat (pop. 5,656) is one of the two beach sites where U.S. forces landed when they liberated Guam from the Japanese in 1944. Visit Gaan Point, a unit of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park commemorating this event, and the nearby Tailafak Bridge, an 18th-century ...
Overview Introduction Though the town dates back to Roman times and was an important settlement in the Byzantine Empire and early Islamic period, very few monuments from those times remain today. There are interesting ruins of a fortified palace and a mosque, both dating to the 10th-century Fatim...
Located on the coast of the island of Crete, 40 mi/64 km east of Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos is a popular tourist hub because of its charming beauty and proximity to a handful of smaller villages and islands. The city, which thankfully for visitors retains its small-town feel, is somehow both sleepy a...
Agra, India, is best known as the location of the Taj Mahal, the single most important sight a visitor to India can see. Though millions of pictures have been taken of it, none do it justice. Located 125 mi/200 km southeast of Delhi, the elegant structure was ordered built by Emperor Shah Jahan fo...
Overview Introduction Ahmadi lies inland several miles/kilometers from the sea. It's best known as the seat of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, and huge oil storage facilities are at each end of town. The Oil Display Center gives a good overview of the industry, including the efforts by 27 teams...
Overview Introduction Ahvaz is a commercial city whose main attraction is its proximity to several historic sites: Choga Zanbil (Elamite ruins and a well-preserved ziggurat), Haft Tappe (ruins) and Shush. Check locally about the advisability of travel to the area. 350 mi/564 km southwest of Tehr...
Visitors who want to escape the hustle and bustle of San Juan should head up to the mountains of Aibonito, Puerto Rico, a 45 mi/72 km (one-hour) drive south toward the central region of the island. Aibonito is known for its flowers and refreshing climate. A flower festival is held annually the las...
Home of its own Triple Crown (March), the fall Steeplechase (October) and polo games at Whitney Field, Aiken refers to itself as "Thoroughbred Country." Trainers take advantage of the city's mild climate to prepare their horses for the spring racing season. Visitors can watch mares and fillies on th...
Aitutaki, a 45-minute flight from Rarotonga, is the second-most visited of the Cook Islands and the only one besides Rarotonga equipped for tourists. The two have quite different scenery. Aitutaki, which has been called the Bora-Bora of the Cooks, is flatter than Rarotonga, but it has a 6-mi-/9-km-w...
Aix (pronounced like the letter X ) was once a Roman spa and then the capital of the region of Provence. Today, this city about 20 mi/30 km north of Marseille is known for romantic streets, stately houses and Art with a capital A . Impressionist painter Paul Cezanne was born there, and artists s...
A sparkling Mediterranean paradise on the western coast of Corsica, it's clear that Napoleon's storied birthplace is special in more ways than one. The town is easily explored on foot, though it is hard to pry your eyes away from the harbor to venture farther inland. For a small island, cars are s...
Overview Introduction Famous for the Qalaat al Rabadh, a 12th-century fortress built by Muslim Arabs as a defense against the European Crusaders, Ajloun sits atop the tallest mountain in Jordan (4,068 ft/1,240 m). Located 30 mi/45 km northwest of Amman, it affords fabulous views of the area. Ajlo...
Ajman, 100 mi/160 km east of Abu Dhabi, is the smallest emirate in land area. It is mostly residential—sort of a suburban emirate. Many people who work in neighboring Sharjah and Dubai live there. Interesting activities include watching dhows being built at the shipyard and visiting the Ajman Museum...
Located 220 mi/355 km southwest of Delhi, Ajmer, India, is an important pilgrimage site for Muslims. It also has fine examples of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The city contains a large fort and many beautiful pavilions lining Anasagar Lake, but the main attraction remains the colorful darga (tom...
The largest of Rwanda's national parks (formerly 625,000 acres/252,900 hectares but reduced in area by two-thirds to accommodate returning Tutsi cattle herders after the war), Akagera is also East Africa's oldest—it was founded in 1934. It lies on the border with Tanzania in eastern Rwanda and is be...
Akaka Falls State Park is a latter-day Eden of bamboo forests and waterfalls, including the 400-ft/124-m drop of its namesake Akaka Falls. The park is a 5-mi/8-km drive inland from the highway that passes through the small town of Honomu, along the northeastern Hamakua Coast. One relatively short a...
This largely undeveloped area in far western Cyprus, 50 mi/80 km west of Nicosia, consists primarily of Akamas Peninsula National Park. It has several good hiking trails into mountains, forests and along the stunning coast. Most trails begin at the Baths of Aphrodite (unfortunately, you cannot swim ...
Overview Introduction Akaroa is a historic village with French and British roots, established around an ancient volcano. The town is only 53 mi/85 km from Christchurch. Location Cruise ships anchor in the bay and tender passengers to shore at one of two locations: near the treaty grounds at W...
Rubber made the industrial town of Akron, Ohio, located 35 mi/55 km south of Cleveland. Be sure to see the Akron Zoo (featuring animals of the Americas) and the enchanting Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens (a Tudor-style mansion and beautifully landscaped grounds with both Japanese and English gardens). ...
Overview Introduction These falls, near the town of Badou , inspire awe: The water falls 300 ft/90 m into a pool surrounded by jungle. To see it requires more than an hour's hike through the dense vegetation, starting from the main church in Badou. If you make the jaunt, overnight in Atakpame (9...
Akumal, Mexico's trademark is its perfect crescent-shaped bay. The Riviera Maya's first inn was built there in the 1960s, catering to serious deep-sea divers on their way to scout for shipwrecked galleons. Its name means "place of the turtle," and this is where you can see green ridleys making nest...
Akureyri, known as the "Capital of the North" and located near the Arctic Circle, is the second-largest town in Iceland. An industrial, shipping and dairy town on Eyjafjordur Fjord, 150 mi/240 km northeast of Reykjavik, it has a charming pedestrian shopping area, a folklore museum and botanical gar...
About a one-and-a-half-hour drive (90 mi/145 km) south of Dubai, the refreshing oasis city of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, whose name means "The Eye," is well worth a visit. It is the largest inland city of the Abu Dhabi Emirate Supplied with water by surrounding oases, Al Ain is blessed with lush...
Overview Introduction Located in the Mahra province (in the extreme east), this coastal town has a population that still speaks ancient (non-Arabic) dialects. Though quite a bit out of the way, Al Ghaydah will attract those who are deeply interested in Mideastern culture. This region has been clo...
Overview Introduction A village of whitewashed houses with a fishing harbor, Al Hoceima is a good place to stop during a tour of the Mediterranean coast and the Rif. It has modest accommodations and several seafood restaurants. There's also a nice beach along Al Hoceima Bay, called Plage Quemado....
Overview Introduction This city is near Al Mutla ridge, where the twisted and rusty remains of an Iraqi column line the roadside. The Iraqis, fleeing Kuwait City and loaded down with loot, were sitting ducks for Allied warplanes in the closing hours of the war. Also in the city is the Red Fort, a...
Overview Introduction This town is worth an hour or two if you're in the area. Visit the port, local market, regional museum, beach and mosques. There are several interesting old watchtowers in the center of Khor. Just outside the city are the Al Khor Gardens, a pleasant place to relax and eat. ...
Overview Introduction Once the most important port on the Red Sea, Al Mokha was also the major exporter of coffee in the world. Aden eclipsed it as a port and Brazil surpassed it as a coffee producer, but Al Mokha gave us the name and the rich flavor of mocha coffee. Today, there is little to do ...
Overview Introduction This port city is the jumping-off point for trips into the Hadramawt mountains. In Al Mukalla (pop. 65,000), you'll find the Husn al Ghuwayzi fortress (high atop a cliff—great views); Al Mukalla Museum (history); the Ar Rawdhah Mosque; and an abundance of ornately engraved d...
A short drive south of Babylon and 90 mi/145 km south of Baghdad, the town of Najaf, along with Karbala, is one of the most sacred Shiite Muslim towns in the world. It is most famous for the Imam Ali Shrine. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the tomb, but may visit the exterior courtyard. The m...
Overview Introduction This inland village hosts camel races October-May. There is a stadium where the races begin and end, but you can also follow the camels in a truck when they are running outside the stadium (a considerable portion of the race). Check English-language newspapers (such as the ...
Overview Introduction This old port has a nice collection of mosques and traditional homes. Also visit the town's museum. 10 mi/15 km south of Doha .
Overview Introduction This beautiful natural area of valleys, peaks and glaciers is a good day trip from Bishkek. If you want to stay longer, be prepared to camp. The easy-to-reach areas near the base camp are filled with picnickers on Sunday—farther up there's nothing but waterfalls and breathta...
Alabama both is and is not the place you might expect. This is demonstrated by the fact that both country-music singer Hank Williams Sr. and the U.S. space program originated there. On one hand, Alabama retains a rural and distinctly southern character. It embraces classic traits of the Deep South,...
Overview Introduction Alacahoyuk, 100 mi/160 km east of Ankara and home of the imposing Sphinx Gate ruin, was a center of civilization during the Bronze Age—it is considered one of the most important ancient Hittite sites. Most of the gold and bronze objects that have been found in the area are n...
Near Alamogordo is the birthplace of the Atomic Age. In 1945, the first atomic weapon was detonated at the Trinity Site—a 146-acre/59-hectare area of snow-white gypsum sand dunes about 50 mi/80 km northwest of town. The site is now part of the White Sands Missile Range and is only open to the public...
Located in the Sierra Madre foothills of Southern Sonora, the colonial city of Alamos, in northern Mexico, has arrived on the tourism scene. Originally among Mexico's richest silver cities, Alamos became a ghost town after mine depletion, droughts, Indian uprisings and the 1910 Revolution. Since Wor...
Rarely visited by outsiders until recently, this Baltic Sea archipelago 175 mi/280 km west of Helsinki has distinctly different terrain, culture, tradition and language (Swedish) from the mainland. Most Alanders associate themselves more with Sweden than Finland, and there may be some tension betwee...
Alanya is a sprawling resort 72 mi/115 km east of Antalya and popular with German tourists. It's worth a visit to see the magnificent fortress set atop a rock overlooking the harbor. There's not a lot to see inside the sturdy walls, but the walk back down offers magnificent views of the Mediterrane...
A tropical town in southwestern India, 700 mi/1,150 km south of Mumbai, Alappuzha lies in a region webbed by canals and fishing areas. It's a starting (or ending) point for the exquisite inland waterway trail (called the backwaters) stretching from there to Kollam (Quilon). The maharajahs once use...
The Aleut people called it Alyeska , the great land. Alaska is one of the world's special places, full of exotic wildlife, magnificent mountains, glacier-carved valleys and steep, rocky coastlines. Alaska is bigger than life, its sheer mass hard to comprehend. The distance from Barrow, on the nor...
What sets Alaska cruises apart from other cruises is what you can see from the ship's rail: the state's geological wonders. They're just as much a part of the Alaska cruise experience as stops in port. Some of the sights you may see as you sail past include Columbia Glacier (most ships pass it); C...
The Alaska Highway is the ultimate North American driving adventure. A remarkable feat of civil engineering and a reminder of the immense projects undertaken by the Allies in World War II, the Alaska Highway was built in 1942 with the express purpose of strengthening Alaska against invasion. Cutti...
Overview Introduction Alba Iulia is one of Romania's oldest cities and where the unification of Romania was declared twice, in 1599 and again in 1918. This historic city is worth a stop to see its 18th-century citadel (Cetatea), several churches and cathedrals, palaces and museums. One highlight ...
Albania, one of Europe's most remote countries, has opened its doors for business and travelers. Although it still looks the part of a poor nation—potholed roads, fields tilled by hand, utilities that regularly fail, and the horse and cart a common mode of transportation—Albania is moving ahead. The...
The Albanian Riviera is simply spectacular, and it's only about 80 mi/130 km south of Tirana. A two-lane road winds along the coast, past ancient villages, mountainous coastline and perfect blue water. A plus is that the road from Dhermi to Llogara Pass is now paved. If you are going to Albania, you...
Plan a day in the New York state capital, Albany, which is located near the junction of the Mohawk and Hudson rivers 155 mi/250 km north of New York City. It was founded in the 1650s as a village called Beverwyck, surrounding the Dutch Fort Orange. The name was changed to Albany after it was acquir...
With its four National Historic Districts, Albany offers just about every major architectural style that has been popular in the U.S. since 1850, but the area's specialty is Victorian. There are more than 700 historic homes and buildings, and many of them are open for tours at least twice a year, on...
Alberta, Canada, is more than just spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery with blue lakes and serrated peaks for hiking and skiing. You'll also find sun-bleached prairie and lunar badlands, excellent museums and interpretive sites that tell the histories of the Plains tribes. In Alberta's cosmopolitan ...
An ancient river town of redbrick houses 45 mi/70 km northeast of Toulouse, Albi, France, is the birthplace of artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The Palais de la Berbie, which houses the Toulouse-Lautrec museum, boasts the most complete collection of his works in the world, although the presentati...
Albuquerque, New Mexico, could be the place to fulfill dreams of a southwestern getaway. A centuries-old Spanish church anchors the city's plaza, chili-pepper-spiked delicacies are found on almost every menu, and residential neighborhoods are chock-full of both real adobe houses (made of mud and st...
Aldabra Atoll, the world's largest raised atoll, is 680 mi/1,100 km southwest of Mahe and is often called a "living natural-history museum." A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of only two places in the world where giant tortoises are found naturally (the other is the Galapagos Islands) and is...
Overview Introduction Located near Mount Aledjo, close to the center of the country, this village is known for its fine crafts center and its mild, comfortable climate. There is an interesting old Catholic monastery atop Mount Aledjo that is worth seeing. 20 mi/30 km north of Sokode .
Aleppo, called Halab in Arabic, is Syria's second-largest city and has been a thriving caravan stop for centuries. The tradition remains evident today in the Old City's souks (bazaars), which are the most atmospheric in the country. The vaulted stone ceilings and narrow passageways impart an ancie...
Alaska's Aleutian Islands are a string of 200 islands 650 mi/1,045 km southwest of Anchorage and stretching more than 1,000 mi/1,600 km; they separate the Bering Sea from the Pacific Ocean. They played an important role during World War II: Two islands (Attu and Kiska) were occupied by Japanese troo...
Overview Introduction Right in the center of the state, Alexandria has a strong Southern, 1800s feel to it. Visit the town's Museum of Art and the River Oaks Square Arts and Crafts Center, where resident artists work in all kinds of media—quilts, handmade paper, pottery, calligraphy, oils and wat...
Overview Introduction This small town is home to the Kensington Runestone—the mysterious artifact that some say is proof of the Vikings' visit to this continent more than a century before Christopher Columbus. The Runestone Museum has exhibits on local history and Native American culture. 110 mi...
Overview Introduction Located 81 mi/130 km east of Dubai, Al-Fujairah is gearing up for tourism. Though small, this emirate on the Gulf of Oman is popular for camping and other outdoor activities. It is the only emirate to not have an Arabian Gulf coastline. Still, it has nice beaches, scuba divi...
Portugal's southernmost province, Algarve, offers some of the finest beaches and recreational facilities in Europe. The white-sand beaches are clean, and the fishing, watersports and golfing are world-class. (The courses designed by Henry Cotton at lovely Vilamoura are among the largest in Europe.) ...
Overview Introduction Today, there is a glimmer of hope in terms of travel in Algeria. Although the violent civil conflict that raged through much of the 1990s has effectively ended, the country is still faced with a range of social problems and a lingering, less than favorable reputation. Securi...
Now that political hostilities have come to an end for the most part, Algeria's capital and major port (pop. 2,500,000) is fortunately one of the safest places in the country. The Casbah, the oldest part of the city, is alluring yet somewhat rundown. Its light-colored-stone and whitewashed houses b...
Ontario's huge, 3,000-sq-mi/7,700-sq-km Algonquin Provincial Park is hard to miss on the map. Located 155 mi/250 km west of Ottawa, the park contains more than 1,000 mi/1,610 km of canoe routes, making it a favorite spot of canoeists and popular with hikers and anglers. The real reason to go is to e...
Overview Introduction Al-Hazm features what may be the most beautiful building in the country, the fort of Sultan bin Seif al Ya'ariba (the sultan is buried there). Inside are dungeons, secret tunnels, towers and a perch over the gateway from which soldiers would pour boiling date juice on invade...
Overview Introduction This mountain village, made up of distinctive round Afar huts, is a major stop on the Addis Ababa-Djibouti rail line. The principal attraction of the village is the large central market. Ali Sabieh also has a basic hotel and a good cafe near the railway station. The highway ...
Alice Springs, or "The Alice," as it's known locally, lies in the center of Australia 815 mi/1,310 km north of Adelaide and in the middle of nowhere. In other words, it's a great introduction to the Outback. Built around a telegraph station opened in the 1870s, the town once relied on Afghan camel t...
Alishan, a cool mountain resort located at 8,530 ft/2,600 m, is a wonderful antidote to the humid world below. The best time to visit is at sunrise, when the jagged peaks are ringed in mist known as the Alishan Sea of Clouds, just like in Chinese paintings. Spend the rest of the day hiking past Al...
A visit to a cheese market is a must. Our favorite is in Alkmaar, located 20 mi/30 km northwest of Amsterdam, or an hour by train. The specialty there is Gouda. The market is held on Friday mornings in the summer, beginning around 10 am and ending by noon. It's fun to watch: Hand-clapping is an inst...
Allentown, Pennsylvania, served as the hiding place for the Liberty Bell when it was removed from Philadelphia for a short period in 1777 to keep it out of the hands of the British. The Liberty Bell Museum at Zion's Reformed United Church of Christ (often referred to locally as the Liberty Bell Ch...
Tucked away at the mouth of a valley, far from the beaten tourist path, Alligator Pond, Jamaica, is a small fishing community popular with Kingstonians for its seafood restaurants nestled up to a beach where marine turtles go ashore. The surrounding terrain is dramatic; the Malvern Hills rise to t...
Founded in the mid-19th century by Russians as a frontier post, Almaty is no longer the nation's capital, but it remains Kazakhstan's cultural epicenter. The town's name means "grandfather of apples" because of the enormous apples grown in the area's orchards. Along the main street, Tole bi, which ...
Almeria is Andalucia's easternmost province, 250 mi/400 km southeast of Madrid. It is an extremely dry region with parts of it classified as true desert. Because of this, the area around Tabernas has been often used by European filmmakers as a stand-in for America's Wild West. The capital city of ...
Niue's small capital on the island's western coast can easily be seen in an hour. The only "sight" is the Fale Fono (Parliament buildings), which has an interesting display of ancient tapa (bark) cloth. But plan a little extra time to chat with the residents, enjoy the scenery along Alofi Bay and ...
A small, triangular coral atoll 280 mi/450 km south of Mahe famed for its fly-fishing, Alphonse Island is part of the Alphonse Group, which includes Bijoutier and St. Francois islands. Alphonse Island features an exclusive island resort of ocean-view thatched chalets and executive villas. https://...
In the heart of a beautiful, mountainous ranching area, 315 mi/505 km west of San Antonio, Alpine is a retail and shipping center as well as an informal artists colony. Its proximity to Big Bend National Park (80 mi/130 km south) and the Davis Mountains (just north of town) makes it a popular stop...
The Italian Alps stretch for 600 mi/966 km across the north of Italy. These mountains, some of which rise 14,000 ft/4,340 m, offer incredible scenery, great skiing, hiking and other activities year-round. They are generally divided into western, central and eastern regions. The Western Alps stretch...
The two regions of Alsace and Lorraine are linked historically by the fact that, for centuries, they were fought over by the French and the Germans. After being claimed by Germany in the Franco-Prussian War, they were won back by France in World War I. Each has its own distinctive character, and the...
Overview Introduction The Altay Mountains, 430 mi/700 km northeast of Almaty, present some of the most unspoiled beauty in Central Asia—waterfalls, forests and meadows rather than the stark flatlands that you'll see in the rest of the country. Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and Russia meet at the 14...
Built in 1976 to resemble a Mediterranean village from the 1500s, Altos de Chavon, Dominican Republic, just east of La Romana and Casa de Campo luxury resort, is perched atop a bluff overlooking the Chavon River. Altos de Chavon includes an archaeological museum that is one of the most important D...
Overview Introduction Located east of Fort Smith, Altus is the site of several wineries, but these aren't jump-on-the-bandwagon newcomers. Both the Wiederkehr and Post Familie wineries were founded in 1880. A third, the Mount Bethel Winery, joined them sometime later. All offer free tours and win...
The charming seaside town of Amalfi is the heart of Italy's Amalfi coastline. Located at the mouth of a deep ravine and surrounded by dramatic cliffs, this impressive natural landscape creates an unforgettable backdrop to Amalfi's seaside setting. With narrow, winding streets and medieval architectu...
Located near Iowa City, the seven villages of the Amana Colonies were founded in 1855 by members of the Amana Society from Germany (a utopian offshoot of the Lutheran church). They operated as a successful, communal enterprise until 1932, when they voted to abandon the communal approach to their bus...
Overview Introduction The naming of Amanzimtoti is generally attributed to Shaka Zulu. He was passing through the area with his army on one of his campaigns and stopped to rest. He was brought a calabash filled with water from the river. He sipped the water and said: Kanti Amanz'amtoti —"so the ...
Amarante, Portugal, is a relaxing, pretty riverside town set among the vineyards that produce vinho verde , a delightful variety of white (not green) sparkling wine. The city, located 35 mi/55 km south of Porto, has a lovely medieval bridge and monastery that are popular with pilgrims. If you're ...
In 1783, Amarapura, Myanmar, was the capital of Burma, with a population of 200,000. Today, around 35,000 people (mainly cotton and silk weavers) live in the city 7 mi/10 km south of Mandalay. Sights in Amarapura (the "City of Immortality") include the palace ruins, several pagodas and U Bein's Br...
Located in the middle of the Texas Panhandle 325 mi/523 km northwest of Dallas, Amarillo has one of the most unique sights in the West: a row of half-buried classic Cadillacs with their tail fins sticking up toward the sky. We think Cadillac Ranch is one of the most memorable monuments to the auto a...
According to the ancient historian Strabo, Amasya was founded by an Amazon queen, Amasis, but this city 210 mi/335 km northeast of Ankara probably began as a Hittite settlement. Later it was conquered by Alexander the Great. The city reached its peak during the Ottoman Empire, when it was a center...
East of the Andean highlands, Ecuador becomes jungle—a place of lowland rain forest cut by hundreds of waterways. The Amazon River itself is farther east, in what's now Peru, but the major rivers of eastern Ecuador, including the Napo, are tributaries of the Amazon. Ecuadorians often refer to the ...
The huge Amazonia National Park, founded in 1974 north of Rio Tapajos and 1,550 mi/2,500 km northwest of Rio de Janeiro, can best be seen by hiring a guide locally for hikes through the dense rain forest (hiking without a guide is allowed only on certain trails). Be sure to take food and treated wat...
Overview Introduction Ambae has been known by many names. It's one of the islands claiming to be the inspiration for James Michener's "Bali Ha'i." The island, which gets very heavy rainfall, has a large volcano with three lakes in its extinct crater. The adventurous can take an all-day hike up th...
Ambato, Ecuador, a modern city 75 mi/120 km south of Quito, was rebuilt following a 1949 earthquake—little evidence of the colonial era remains. Ambato, however, is a good place to buy Salasaca Amerindian tapestries and other handicrafts as well as being a major hub in the flower market trade (Monda...
Ambergris Caye (often called San Pedro, after its only town) is one of the most-visited areas of Belize. Located only 35 mi/55 km northeast of Belize City, its resident population of nearly 10,000 expands with tourists, part-time expats and construction workers building new hotels and vacation condo...
Overview Introduction An outpost along the Karawari River, Amboin is near the Karawari Lodge, a rustic retreat on a hill overlooking the river. The lodge offers riverboat excursions and tribal dances (it's an alternative to Sepik River cruising). Plan to stay two full days and nights if you go. ...
Ambon, in the Maluku Islands, is one of the legendary Spice Islands that so fascinated early European explorers. Ambon was the center of the international clove trade from the 17th to the 19th century—a trade that the Dutch, English and Portuguese squabbled over. To protect their monopoly, the Dutch...
Located in Kenya, 140 mi/225 km southeast of Nairobi, Amboseli National Park lies in the shadow of 19,567-ft/5,964-m Mount Kilimanjaro (look for it before 10 am; after that, clouds usually shroud the mountain). The combination of salt flat and marshland provides one of the most dramatic settings in ...
Ambrym is a relatively unspoiled island famous for its volcanoes (Benbow and Marum) and handicrafts (tamtams and carvings). Ambrym islanders are also said to specialize in black magic. Adventurous travelers can hire local guides to lead the strenuous climb to the volcanoes in the center of the isla...
Located in the far northeastern corner of Florida at the border with Georgia, 155 mi/250 km north of Orlando, Amelia Island was one of the state's first resorts, drawing visitors back in the 1800s. Today, it retains some of that Victorian atmosphere, though its low-key elegance and relative tranquil...
American Samoans might like football and fast food, but that doesn't mean that their lives are fast-paced. The U.S. influence on these beautiful islands has meant a greater demand for consumer goods and some of the accoutrements of the good life, U.S.-style. But underlying the superficial changes ...
Students outnumber year-round residents in this pleasant college town located 18 mi/30 km north of Springfield, which is home to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College and Hampshire College. While there, visit poet Emily Dickinson's home (reservations recommended), the Mead Art Museum (l...
Overview Introduction The Amirantes are a remote coral atoll some 200 mi/320 km south of Mahe. The largest island of the group is Desroches. The island has an exclusive hideaway resort with its own landing strip. It has fine beaches and is great for scuba diving September-May.
A significant concentration (about 17%) of North America's Amish population lives in northern Indiana, but learning something about this religious sect isn't easy. The Amish generally keep themselves removed from the "English," as outsiders are called. Their practice of avoiding modern conveniences ...
Ohio's Amish Country, which is less than a two-hour drive south of Cleveland, is perfect for those who want to get away from the hustle of the city. Have a family-style meal at the Amish Door Restaurant, located in a roomy Amish home. Afterward, visit the Gallery Gift Shop upstairs, where you'll fin...
Ohio has the largest population of Amish in the world. They're especially prevalent in eastern Ohio (Tuscarawas, Holmes and Wayne Counties). There are a number of Amish general stores in the area (shop for cheese and quilts), and some Amish families open their homes for tours. (Call the Ohio Divisio...
Known as Philadelphia when it was part of the Decapolis (a group of 10 cities on the eastern border of the Roman Empire), Amman, Jordan's capital and largest city, lies just a short drive from the country's borders with Syria and Israel. The area has been continuously inhabited since 6,000 BC, tho...
Overview Introduction Amorgos became famous as the deep blue sea of the eponymous movie that was shot in 1988 at the beach Agia Anna. The visitor comes across a place made up of many different terrains: mountainous slopes with steep coasts and beautiful though inaccessible bays which give place t...
As the holy center of the Sikh religion, Amritsar, India, a 16th-century Punjabi city near the Pakistani border and 255 mi/450 km northwest of Delhi, is a good place to go for insight into the Sikh culture. The religion's adherents don't cut their hair. The men are easily identified by their turbans...
Tell anyone you're going to Amsterdam and there's a fair chance they'll either sigh with envy or give you a sly nod. Amsterdam's reputation for tolerance laced with sin precedes it, but equally renowned are its scenic and cultural attractions. Amsterdam hotels are known for their cleanliness and ...
The city of Anaconda, Montana, located 250 mi/400 km west of Billings, is a reminder of the great mining days of the 1800s and early 1900s. It was originally named Copperopolis, because copper barons built their mansions as quickly as they could dole out the capital—even in the most remote locations...
The area around Anadarko, located 55 mi/90 km southwest of Oklahoma City, was once a hunting ground for the Comanche, Kiowa and Wichita people. Today, the Apache, Caddo and Delaware are also represented in the area, making Anadarko a rich source of Native American history, artifacts, artwork and cra...
Anaheim, the 10th largest city in California, is located southeast of downtown Los Angeles in the middle of Orange County. It's synonymous with Disneyland, which opened in 1955 on the site of a former orange grove and changed the city's profile forever. Disney's Magic Kingdom soon became the most-v...
Overview Introduction The Mediterranean coast becomes less interesting as you drive east from Alanya, but Anamur, a town 160 mi/250 km east of Antalya, is worth a detour, especially in spring. That's when the area enclosed by the ruins of Byzantine Anamurium (just west of Alanya) is deep in wildf...
Anchorage, Alaska, is big-city living. It is home to more than a quarter-million people—nearly half the state's population. The city has shopping malls, national discount stores, movie theaters, fast-food restaurants, fine dining, high-rise hotels and a busy international airport. That makes Anchor...
Primarily a port, rather than a tourist town, Ancona lies on the Adriatic Coast of Italy. The historic town sits on a hill and commands a charming sea view. Sites are of interest include the art gallery and an archaeological museum. Location One of the most important departure points for Slov...
India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, more than 750 mi/1,200 km southeast of Kolkata. These 300-plus islands are really off the beaten path. The Andamans, once famous for being home to Kalaa Pani, a jail for political prisoners during colonial rule, now offer nice b...
Located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Andermatt, Switzerland, is in Urserental, where three Alpine passes intersect: the Oberalp, the St. Gotthard and the Furka. Lake Toma, on the south side of the Oberalp Pass, feeds the Reuss, Ticino, Rhine and Rhone rivers, so the scenery is spectacular. Ja...
Overview Introduction This city on the Syr Darya in the Ferghana Valley is the main city in Uzbekistan's most densely populated province. It has a long history as a Silk Road trading center, but the only thing of real interest there today are its two bazaars (one street is filled with traditional...
Traditionally a center for the yangban (aristocrat) class, Andong and the surrounding area have retained much of Korea's old culture. When the Andong Dam was built in 1976, 111 mi/180 km southeast of Seoul, the resulting lake would have destroyed many cultural relics. Luckily, most were relocated ...
Andorra, a tiny principality nestled in scenic Pyrenees valleys on the border between France and Spain, was once a backwater of mule-raising and tobacco-smuggling. It has transformed itself into a tax-free playground of spas, ski resorts and shopping malls and has one of the highest living standards...
Andorra la Vella, the capital of Andorra, is filled with tourists from France and Spain who go to shop for goods from Asia and the rest of Europe. The huge mountains in the background can make even the most boutique-packed street seem picturesque. The Dali Clock Square in the city center features ...
The largest island in the Bahamas, Andros actually comprises three contiguous islands. North Andros and Central Andros occupy the largest, northernmost island. Mangrove Cay and South Andros, plus hundreds of other smaller islets, comprise the rest of the island group, which lies southwest of New Pr...
Anegada, British Virgin Islands, a limestone-and-coral atoll, is different geographically from most of the other British Virgin Islands. It sits only 30 ft/10 m above sea level at its highest point. Located about 18 mi/30 km northeast of Tortola, this island has spectacular beaches (stretching unint...
Overview Introduction This coastal town was the capital during the colonial days. Aneho sits on both sides of a lagoon and has a good beach (but watch out for the undertow). Other big attractions in town are the tasty seafood, the relaxing atmosphere and the crumbling colonial buildings. Aneho is...
Angaur was the scene of heavy fighting in 1944. After all the Japanese defenders were killed (imperial troops of that era never surrendered), the U.S. built a huge airfield on Angaur for bombers. You can walk around Angaur in a day, passing the old Japanese lighthouse, as well as a number of war mem...
One of Venezuela's most dramatic sights, Angel Falls is truly spectacular. Water plummets 3,212 ft/979 m, making it the world's highest waterfall—so high that during the dry season, the cascade can evaporate into mist before it reaches the bottom. The water originates from Auyantepui ("Devil's Mount...
Angers, France, known as the gateway to the chateau country, is a lively university city 182 mi/294 km southwest of Paris, full of half-timbered houses and Renaissance mansions. As the medieval capital of Anjou, Angers was once ruled by Henry II of England, father of Richard the Lionheart and King...
Located 150 mi/240 km northwest of Phnom Penh, the ancient city of Angkor, Cambodia, is much larger than most visitors realize. Angkor Archaeological Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. The word Angkor translates to "City of the King," and the park is home to world-famous An...
The latest truce in Angola has given the country more hope than it's had in a long time. That's because Jonas Savimbi, the leader of the UNITA rebel movement since its inception in the 1960s, died in a battle with government troops in 2002. The loss of one of the civil war's original instigators qui...
Angra Dos Reis, 75 mi/120 km west of Rio de Janeiro and the largest town on the Costa Verde, is a popular jumping-off point for trips to nearby islands, such as the wonderful Ilha Grande, a nature preserve with great beaches, and for yachting and spear fishing. You can reach Vila de Abrao, Ilha Gran...
Anguilla sits in first class and has a first-class price tag. There are certainly more affordable ways to enjoy the sun and the sea, but for those desiring impeccable service and an exclusive atmosphere, this island is one of the premier vacation spots in the Caribbean. Before you plunk down your ...
A fairly small island, Anjouan (sometimes called Nzwani) is dominated by volcanic mountains covered with tropical foliage. Lying 80 mi/130 km southeast of Moroni, it has good beaches, excellent scuba diving, snorkeling and deep-sea fishing (those interested in water sports should spend at least four...
Ankara, Turkey, founded by the Hittites in 1200 BC, was a small provincial city 220 mi/355 km southeast of Istanbul known mostly for its production of extremely soft angora wool, and its equally silky white Angora cats. It gained modern prominence after it replaced Istanbul as the capital in 1923....
Overview Introduction The attractions of Ankarana Reserve, 65 mi/108 km from Antsiranana, include the largest underground network of caves in Africa, sacred bat caves, subterranean rivers, tsingy formations (limestone karst pinnacles), and a wide variety of lemurs, birds and reptiles. Half of Mad...
Overview Introduction As the center of the Essequibo coast, the charming town of Anna Regina is the starting point for a variety of activities within the laid-back region. The scenic boat ride along the Essequibo river alone is worth the journey. Once there, Hot and Cold Lake (named for its simul...
Overview Introduction In this industrial seaport (pop. 350,000) near the Tunisian border, you'll find the 1,000-year-old Sidi Merouane Mosque and the cathedral of St. Augustine. (St. Augustine wrote his book The City of God there in the fifth century.) The cathedral is set on a hill with a wond...
Founded in 1649 and the capital of the U.S. at the end of the Revolutionary War, Annapolis, Maryland, has been the state capital since 1694 and is the oldest continuously used capital city in the U.S. It is located 25 mi/40 km south of Baltimore. Annapolis is a scenic town of trim colonial buildi...
On the western coast between Windsor and Yarmouth, the Annapolis Valley and Evangeline Trail route covers the area settled by the French Acadians. Stop along the way at the French fishing villages, with their clapboard houses, magnificent churches, bustling shipyards and colorful storefronts. You ma...
The charming medieval Old Town of Annecy, France, boasts a stunning setting by a lake of the same name, amid the Alps of Haute Savoie. Pastel-colored houses with bright flower boxes line the streets, and the most visible landmark, a turreted castle called the Palais de L'Isle is set on an islet in...
Nestled in the valley of the Appalachian foothills 57 mi/92 km east of Birmingham, Anniston was founded as a planned community in 1833. Today, it is a thriving city, with a lot to offer any traveler coming through the area. Explore the historic downtown before visiting the areas outside the city. ...
The ancient Syrian capital of Antakya, 325 mi/525 km southeast of Ankara, was once the third-largest city in the Roman empire, after Rome and Constantinople. It was also home to one of the world's first Christian communities. (In the Bible, the first use of the word "Christians" refers to residents ...
All the right elements come together to make Antalya, a Mediterranean town 240 mi/385 km southwest of Ankara, one of Turkey's top attractions. Not only is Antalya—part of the so-called Turkish Riviera—on a beautiful crescent bay with some of the best snorkeling in Turkey, but dramatic cliffs and ...
Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital city, sits at 4,500 ft/1,370 m in a twisting valley near the center of the island. Tana, as the city is often called, has unusual French- and Asian-inspired architecture, and winding cobblestoned streets and staircases that create a medieval impression. Attractions...
A visit to Antarctica is not just a trip. It is an unpredictable journey. Visitors are rewarded with a world that includes thousands of penguins, elephant seals and icebergs, even volcanoes and thermal springs. The landscape of Antarctica is reduced to the barest elements: ice, rock, water and s...
While you're in Georgia, plan to visit at least a few stately mansions and antebellum plantations—much of the South's culture and history can be found in these magnificent structures. Some of the nicest examples can be seen in a pleasant two-day circle drive from Atlanta. A Georgia Antebellum Trail ...
About 13 mi/21 km southwest of Nice, France, you'll find Antibes, a pretty beach town with the largest pleasure port in France. Antibes' Old Town offers a wide range of activities and many nice restaurants, galleries and clothing shops. Tuesday-Sunday vendors sell local produce and other goods at...
Antietam national Battlefield, Maryland, was the site of the deadliest single-day battle in U.S. history. It is located near the town of Sharpsburg in the western part of the state, 65 mi/105 km west of Baltimore. Some 23,000 men were killed or wounded there on 17 September 1862. The engagement ca...
Founded in 1543, Santiago de Guatemala (now known as La Antigua Guatemala, or simply Antigua) was the capital of Spain's Central American confederacy and the fourth most important city in the Americas (after Mexico City, Lima and Zacatecas) in the 1500s. Antigua was devastated by an earthquake in ...
Antiparos, Greece, one of the Cyclades islands, is located 100 mi/160 km southeast of Athens. It is often seen as a day trip from the island of Paros. Known as the octopus capital of Greece, Antiparos offers good snorkeling, a nice little village and a cave filled with stalactites.
An unlikely tourist destination, 840 mi/1,350 km north of Santiago, the port city of Antofagasta, Chile, draws business visitors, especially from the mining sector. Primarily an export point for Atacama Desert minerals, it has more flights than Calama, the region's other main city. Sights include La...
Antsirabe, Madagascar, has lapidaries (stone-cutting facilities), old thermal spas and some volcanic crater lakes in the surrounding area. Tritriva, about 12 mi/20 km from town, is a favorite. Additional interesting things to see in Antsirabe are the Antsirabe Catholic Cathedral, the railway station...
The old port of Antsiranana sits on one of the most beautiful bays in Madagascar, if not the world. The town is also known as Diego Suarez, the surnames of two marauding Portuguese captains who landed there in 1506 and sold several of the local inhabitants into slavery. Unless you're traveling by ...
The world's diamond capital and home of Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, Antwerp, Belgium, is a joy to visit. The wide squares and the narrow cobbled streets of the old town are perfect for strolling—they're lined with shops and cafes, which make the walk even more pleasant—and there's ...
This fascinating ancient city of the Sinhala kings, considered one of Sri Lanka's most important archaeological sites, 110 mi/175 km northeast of Colombo, is where Buddhism was first introduced to the island in the third century BC. It contains large artificial lakes, temples, frescoes, dagobas (s...
Overview Introduction The wonderfully untouched fishing village of Apam lies 55 mi/85 km west of Accra, en route to Elmina. Once you get past the fishing area, which may be polluted, you'll find lovely, deserted beaches scattered with shells. Spend a night in Fort Patience on the outside of town;...
Although Apamea, Syria, was founded by the Seleucids at the beginning of the third century BC, most of what remains today is the Roman cardo maximus —the city's main thoroughfare. It's a stunning sight: Rows of columns line both sides of the paved street for more than 1 mi/1.5 km, surrounded by gre...
Apaneca, a bucolic mountain town 57 mi/91 km west of El Salvador, is a popular weekend retreat among people from hectic San Salvador. Apaneca's whitewashed church, tiled-roof houses and quiet streets offer glimpses of life in rural El Salvador. Orchards, coffee plantations and lakes dot the surrou...
Overview Introduction The remarkable, ancient Roman city of Aphrodisias, 280 mi/450 km south of Ankara, was dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. Located near the village of Geyre, the ruins merit at least half a day of exploration. See the old walls, theater and stadium (it cou...
Overview Introduction Apollonia was founded by the Greeks in 600 BC as an important port along the route between Rome and Byzantium. Emperor Augustus studied there, and Aristotle mentioned the town in his book on politics. The city, 45 mi/75 km southwest of Tirana, lost its status when the harbor...
Overview Introduction This ancient site (the town is called Susa today) was once the port for Cyrene (modern-day Shahhat). There are many ruins in the area, some of which are now underwater. Worth visiting are the well-preserved amphitheater, three Byzantine basilicas, Roman baths and the museum....
Headquartered in the charming resort village of Bayfield (on the Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior), this preserve includes 22 islands, six lighthouses, old brownstone quarries and a preserved fishing camp. It offers a chance to slow the pace of your travels a bit—just relax, do a little fishing, a...
Overview Introduction Although the largest concentration of Amish communities is located in and around Holmes County in northeast Ohio, a growing number have relocated to Adams County in the southwest part of the state during the past few decades. Today, they are the county's leading tourist attr...
Appleton, an inland town in the Siloah Valley 35 mi/55 km west of Montego Bay, is the home of Wray and Nephew's Appleton Estate, where one of Jamaica's leading rums has been made since 1749. You can tour the distillery, watch a video showing how sugarcane is transformed into rum and sample the goods...
The village that was known as Appomattox Court House is where the Army of Northern Virginia, under the command of Robert E. Lee, surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant and his Union forces. The surrender effectively ended the Civil War. There are only a couple of monuments that commemorate the place wher...
This southern seaport town on the Gulf of Aqaba provides Jordan's only access to the sea. It's an ancient city, with local excavations producing finds that date back to the fourth century BC. Today's visitors go there primarily for a beach holiday in the midst of scenic mountainous desert landscape...
The village of Arachova, Greece, still retains much of its old-world charm, despite its popularity as a lunch and shopping stop and a base close to Delphi. It is located some 100 mi/160 km from Athens, going west on the superhighway E-75. Visitors are advised not to travel the roads at night, howeve...
Overview Introduction Arad is situated north of Timisoara. It has a huge citadel (still used by the military) and lovely architecture (many buildings were erected in the 1800s during the last decades of Hapsburg rule). You will notice a lot of Western influences, and the inhabitants are usually f...
Ireland's Aran Islands are well worth a three-night visit. There are three major islands and a couple of bumps. Visiting these stark, beautiful isles is like stepping back in time. There's horse-and-cart traffic on narrow roads lined with stone walls, and the hardy, unpretentious residents seem to t...
This town, whose name means "Forty Springs" in Amharic, is not particularly attractive, but it's the best base for visiting several tribal groups. It lies 220 mi/355 km south of Addis Ababa. To the north are the Dorze, famous for their colorful robes called shammas and their distinctive dwelling...
About 41 mi/67 km southwest of Bordeaux is Arcachon, France, a stylish but rather expensive coastal town. It has fine beaches, lovely promenades, a casino and a phenomenon known as maree : When the tide goes out, it reveals hundreds of tiny shells. September-April, stop for oysters and white wine...
Ecuador has several ruins left by the Incas and other Amerindians. The principal Inca site is Ingapirca. Others include Rumicucho, near Quito; La Tolita, near Esmeraldas; and Tomebamba in Cuenca (most of the ruins in this old provincial capital have been built over, but some can be seen at Avenida T...
The world's largest concentration of natural stone arches (at least 2,000) can be found within Utah's Arches National Park, near Moab (190 mi/305 km southeast of Salt Lake City). The area's geology, combined with wind and water erosion, created these magnificent towering stone arches. A scenic drive...
Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, 600 mi/966 km northeast of Anchorage, is the largest in the U.S., covering more than 18 million acres/7.2 million hectares. It's often called America's Serengeti because of the variety of animals within its boundaries: lynx, caribou, grizzly and polar bears,...
Overview Introduction The village of Ardenica is home to the Ardenice Monastery, which is on a hill overlooking the surrounding farmland. It has a wonderful 18th-century Orthodox church adorned with frescos. Ask permission to climb the bell tower for a spectacular view of the region and the court...
Are, Sweden, an alpine-skiing resort area in central Sweden's Jamtland province, garnered increasing attention from the ski industry when it served as host of the 2007 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. Are now holds a number of annual international events. Part of the appeal is the terrain, comp...
Overview Introduction Arecibo, Puerto Rico, a little more than an hour drive west of San Juan on Route 22, is home to one of the most impressive observatories—it's home to the world's largest radar telescope.
The country's wealthy once flocked to this sleepy colonial town on the bank of Lake Ypacarai (which means "Water please, Mister"). Today its restored summer mansions are home to middle-class families, and its charming cobblestoned streets are lined with pottery shops and art galleries that offer goo...
Located about 60 mi/100 km northwest of San Jose, Arenal National Park encompasses a large area in northwest Costa Rica. Although Arenal is now dormant, it was one of the country's most active volcanoes for 43 years after a surprise eruption in 1968 and was of the most impressive sights in the coun...
Sparkling in the sun, Arequipa is called the White City because of the sillar , a white volcanic stone that makes up its buildings, modern ones as well as Spanish colonial. Peru's second-largest city sits surrounded by towering mountains—including the 19,000-ft/5,800-m volcano El Misti. The city ...
Many of the scenes from Roberto Benigni's Oscar-winning film La Vita e Bella ( Life Is Beautiful ) were filmed in charming Arezzo, Italy. The churches and their works of art are what keep this Tuscan hill town on the map, but Arezzo also has several fine museums.
The busy town on river Telvo with its romantic old arch bridge and the beautiful pilgrimage church of Sant'Anna is the starting point for excursions into the high valley system of the river Telvo between Lake Como and Lake Lugano. Crisscrossed by walking and mountain biking tracks, the Val d'Intel...
Argentina is blessed with dramatic landscapes, immense potential and a variety of experiences that run the gamut from outdoor adventure to cosmopolitan style. It's famous for the gauchos and plains of Patagonia, world-class trout and salmon fishing, glacier skiing in the Andes and the European soph...
Overview Introduction This important coastal park is a fascinating destination for bird-watchers—it's a breeding ground for both European and African birds. While the nearest town is Nouadhibou, visitor permits must be obtained in Nouakchott—no one is allowed to visit without a guide. And, for th...
There are currently about 30 resorts scattered around the 100 or so islands within the administrative district of Alifu, which is commonly referred to as Ari. Located 35 mi/55 km southwest of Male', this atoll has some of the country's finest resorts. The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is famous f...
Called the City of Eternal Spring for its warm ocean waters and relatively mild, rainless climate, Arica, Chile, has become a beach resort for Bolivians and to a lesser degree for Chileans (who prefer Iquique). Located on the coast 1,280 mi/2,060 km north of Santiago, almost at the Peruvian border,...
This island, purchased for a conservation group by chocolate-maker Christopher Cadbury in the 1970s but now in the care of the Seychelles' Island Conservation Society, is a hugely important seabird breeding colony. Aride Island is located 35 mi/55 km northeast of Mahe. There are no tourist faciliti...
Arikok National Park, near the center of the island, contains the highest point in Aruba, Yamanota Hill (617 ft/188 m). The view of the resort area from the hill is magnificent. The rest of the park is fairly flat (with the exception of a few sand dunes), so you'll find the hiking trails relatively ...
If you're interested in Trinidad's native Amerindian culture, consider a visit to Arima, which is in the island's hilly interior 16 mi/26 km east of Port of Spain. The island's third-largest city, Arima has a small museum in the Santa Clara Carib Community building with an extensive collection of ...
Overview Introduction Though Arizona has become famous for its sunny skies and desert scenery, it is no one-dimensional state. Keep Arizona's diversity in mind when you plan your trip: There's more there than can be absorbed in one vacation. Focus on a few areas that interest you—be it the popula...
A vacation in Arkansas has as much to do with rejuvenation as relaxation. The waters of Eureka Springs and Hot Springs have long been known for their healthful qualities, and the state offers additional ways to make visitors feel better: fishing on a scenic lake, walking a wooded trail, contemplatin...
Overview Introduction This region in the center of the country is Mongolia's version of Switzerland—with beautiful mountains, meadows, rivers, lakes and forests. It includes the Khangai Mountains, the second-highest range in the country, as well as the Chuluut River, with a scenic gorge and the T...
Set on the banks of the Rhone River 22 mi/37 km south of Avignon, Arles, France, is where Vincent van Gogh lived and painted during the last months of his life (February 1888-May 1889). The painting of his bedroom in Arles is among his best-known works. Arles' historical importance extends far b...
Armagh, Northern Ireland, 35 mi/55 km southwest of Belfast, boasts a surprisingly large number of attractions for a town of its size. The tomb of Brian Boru, first king of Ireland, is there, and nearby is Navan Fort, home to the Celtic kings of Ulster and the oldest settlement in Northern Ireland (a...
This small, landlocked country is one of the oldest in the world, and there is a surprising beauty in its stark rocky countryside, where the fruits of human culture and cultivation stand out in contrast against the stony background. Orchards and vineyards provide unexpected color, and historic citie...
Located 50 mi/80 km southeast of Amsterdam, Arnhem, also previously called the Green City on the Rhine, is better known to World War II veterans as the city of A Bridge Too Far . (The film depicts an attempt by Allied paratroopers to gain a foothold across the Rhine near Arnhem.) While in town, see...
Overview Introduction You can see tiny Arno from Majuro, the capital. It is accessible by boat or plane and a quick way to escape Majuro's city life. The beaches are beautiful, the lagoon clear and the people very relaxed. There's a very basic place to stay there and a pearl farm. It is easy to a...
Lanzarote's small, nondescript capital city, Arrecife, is situated midway along the island's east coast. The cruise ship port is located there. The city has a few museums of note: The Museum of Arrecife History is housed in the 16th-century San Gabriel Castle on a tiny island just offshore, and th...
Arthur is home to a population of Amish who live much the same way their ancestors did when they established the community in 1865. Horse-drawn, black carriages transport families around town, women hang wet laundry to dry in the wind, and bearded men plow fields. It is these peaceful scenes that ...
Arthur's Pass National Park, 95 mi/155 km northwest of Christchurch, is on New Zealand's South Island and has magnificent mountain scenery, which you can experience on several short walks or full-day hikes. But most people just pass through the park on their way between the two coasts. The views are...
Overview Introduction Located 300 mi/485 km north of Montevideo, Artigas, Uruguay, sits in the middle of cattle country. The town, named after Jose Gervasio Artigas (a patriot in the 1811 war with Brazil), was a frontier stop on the railway route to Brazil and is just across the border from Quara...
Aruba is among the livelier, more developed islands in the Caribbean. Aruba has low- and high-rise resorts, great restaurants, and glitzy casinos lining the white-sand beaches and the downtown boulevard. You'll find plenty of things to do on Aruba, too: sunbathing, world-class windsurfing and water...
Sitting on a rocky outcrop overlooking the River Arun, the pretty little settlement of Arundel, England, is punctuated by a cathedral and a magnificent castle (where open-air theater is held during the summer). With its quaint half-timbered buildings, old-fashioned tea shops and rowboats for hire, A...
Built by the Germans as a center of colonial administration in the early 20th century, this growing city is generally regarded as the safari capital of Tanzania. Many safari operators are based there as it is the most accessible gateway to the wildlife parks of the Northern Circuit (Serengeti, Ngoro...
Arvidsjaur, a town in Lapland about 450 mi/725 km north of Stockholm, is a lively tourist center in the summer and practically empty in the winter. It is so cold then that automobile companies go there to test their cars in harsh, subfreezing temperatures. You'll see plenty of reindeer in the area. ...
Arwad Island, a somewhat dirty and touristy island 2 mi/3 km off the southern coast and 95 mi/150 km northwest of Damascus, merits a visit by those who want a look at what Syria used to be like: Arwad Island is a city of narrow streets with no cars. Spend time watching the fisherfolk and sponge ha...
Overview Introduction This ancient city 75 mi/120 km northwest of Baghdad has several interesting sights: the Friday Mosque and its 185-ft-/55-m-high spiral minaret; the Balkwqara and Mashouq palaces; the gold dome of the Askaris Shrine; and the Mosque of Almahidi (tile dome).
A small coastal town (pop. 2,090), Asan was the second landing site for U.S. liberation forces in 1944. Be sure to visit War in the Pacific Park, which has exhibits and an interactive display depicting the Battle of Guam and life during the Japanese occupation. Nearby Piti (to the south) was bom...
Overview Introduction Usually seen on a day trip from Goroka, Asaro is well-known for the eerie mud masks of the local tribe. Be forewarned that the tribal ceremony performed for tourists is...well, touristy, and typically lasts no more than 10 minutes. Mud masks made by the tribe are usually ava...
Overview Introduction Once a ritzy, very popular resort, Asbury Park went into a decline in the late 20th century and was filled with abandoned art-deco buildings and vacant lots overgrown with weeds. Fortunately, there are signs that the city is coming back to life: The Paramount Theater and the...
Overview Introduction Cruise ship passengers visiting Jerusalem will dock at the port of Ashdod. The town of Ashdod is not a tourist destination, and we recommend heading straight to Jerusalem on a ship-sponsored excursion or a guided tour. If you want to navigate the transportation to and around...
Asheboro, North Carolina, situated 70 mi/112 km west of Raleigh, is home to the North Carolina Zoological Park, said to be the world's largest natural-habitat zoo. Asheboro is located in the heart of the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. It is about 90 mi/145 km east of the Blue Ridge Moun...
Nestled firmly between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has many great qualities that attract a truly diverse population, hence the city's moniker: "Asheville: Discovery, Inside and Out." Although Asheville is nationally known for the Biltmore Estate, George W. Van...
The country's capital (pop. 536,000) is a fairly modern city squeezed between the scrubby desert of the Kara-Kum and the mountains of the Kopet Dag. The city was founded in 1881 to house the Russian garrison and to serve as the headquarters for the Transcaspian Railroad. It was rebuilt after a devas...
Mentioned in the Bible as being founded by the Philistines, the port city of Ashkelon, Israel, located 45 mi/70 km west of Jerusalem, has a 5,000-year history. Archaeological gardens display excavations that go back to Canaanite, Greek and Roman times, including a church that dates from the fifth ce...
Ashland, Oregon, is known for its arts, and it lives up to the honor with plenty of art galleries, music and theater companies, and the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The Festival draws nearly 400,000 visitors a year and procudes 11 plays between February and October: Five are Shakespearean...
Asilah, a laid-back, whitewashed town with Portuguese-built ramparts buttressing it against the Atlantic, is a favorite seaside spot in northern Morocco. It's a good beach destination for those entering the country through Tangier, which is 25 mi/40 km to the north, who don't have a lot of time to v...
This mountainous region in southwestern Saudi Arabia, located about 510 mi/820 km southwest of Riyadh, is a good place to see traditional Saudi life and to get away from the heat. It's a popular vacation area for Saudis—it can get quite crowded in the summer. Asir National Park covers a huge area ...
Asmara (pop. 514,000) was only a string of small villages before the Italians arrived in 1897 and made it the colony's capital. When they left in 1941, the city had been transformed into a little piece of Italy—from the wide palm-lined avenues sprinkled with cafes to the lines of bikes zipping along...
An artists town with Venetian roots, scenic Asolo, Italy, sits on a panoramic hillside location overlooking trees and small farms 25 mi/45 km northwest of Venice. Walk the narrow streets to see the flower boxes that decorate each house. Visit the museum (it contains some writings of Robert Brownin...
The mountain town of Aspen, Colorado, has had several lives: a thriving silver-mining mecca, a deserted town and a laid-back resort. Since its final transformation in the 1940s, Aspen has offered a rich mix of recreation and culture with a comfortable, casual style and an ample splash of elegance i...
Overview Introduction On the Red Sea, near the border with Djibouti, Assab is the nation's largest port (though it sits idle until relations with Ethiopia normalize) and site of its only oil refinery. It's also a center for fishing and various watersports. The town itself isn't worth a visit, but...
Assisi is a well-preserved medieval town that is, after the Vatican, Italy's second most-popular religious-pilgrimage destination. Located high on a hilltop 110 mi/180 km north of Rome, it has an air of mystical serenity in keeping with its history. Assisi was the home of St. Francis (the founder of...
The former Greek village of Assos, which overlooks a harbor 190 mi/305 km southwest of Istanbul, was settled by colonists from the nearby island of Lesbos. On the hill above the harbor, in the modern village of Behramkale, the pretty stone houses are being snapped up and restored by artists—and ot...
Originally the capital of the Assyrian King Assurbanipal, this town was founded in about 3000 BC and named after a national god, Ashur. It is located 78 mi/125 km south of Mosul and 180 mi/295 km northwest of Baghdad. Until recently, sights included the ziggurat (a pyramid-shaped temple), the grou...
An undistinguished agricultural center for most of its history, Astana, 680 mi/1,100 km north of Almaty, became the capital of Kazakhstan in December 1997. The city was known as Astana until 2019, when its name was changed to Nur-Sultan, in honor of former Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev. In 2...
Astoria, which is located at the mouth of the Columbia River, has the distinction of being the first permanent U.S. settlement on the west coast. Founded by John Jacob Astor, Astoria is famous as the 1805 winter home of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The re-created Fort Clatsop is at the heart of...
Overview Introduction The main town on Astypalaia Island, Astypalaia is also known as Chora. It serves as a good base from which to tour the island's attractions.
The capital, 450-year-old Asuncion merits a stay of two leisurely nights—that way, you'll have time to sit in the main square and people-watch. The shopping in this city is the best the country offers, and the cathedral and archaeological museum are both highlights. The governmental architecture is ...
Aswan is a pleasant town at the end of the rail line in Upper (southern) Egypt, 425 mi/680 km south of Cairo. It doesn't have the wealth of sights that Luxor has, but it's one of the most relaxing and scenic spots in Egypt. Horse-drawn caleches parade along the Corniche, and feluccas drift down th...
Chile's Atacama Desert has many superlatives: It's the world's highest-altitude desert and the world's driest. And its elevation also makes it a relatively cold desert. Although those characteristics can make it a challenging place to visit, the Atacama boasts attractions and accommodations for a ...
Overview Introduction From a distance, Atakpame is somewhat reminiscent of Jerusalem. The Germans had planned for it to serve as the capital when they colonized the country, and there are still some interesting old colonial buildings to be found among the town's rolling hills. If you're lucky, yo...
Overview Introduction Atar (pop. 17,000), in the Sahara, is probably the easiest desert town to visit—regularly scheduled flights land there and the road is good. We suggest flying to the city and returning to Nouakchott overland (hire a car and driver). The market makes for interesting shopping—...
Overview Introduction Offshore from Dili (15 mi/25 km) and accessible by ferry or by diving and sailing charters, the island is undisturbed and relaxed. The ferry departs Saturdays, frequently accompanied by pods of dolphins or whales. Roman Luan, a local nongovernmental organization, runs an eco...
Overview Introduction The main draw of Atbara is that it's near the Nile's Fifth Cataract. Plan only a few hours there—enough time to see the cataract and the old steam locomotives that died and are rusting in rail yards. 170 mi/275 km northeast of Khartoum.
The city of Atchison, 55 mi/90 km northwest of Kansas City, is probably best known from the popular song of the 1940s, On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe , which celebrated the railway that passed through the town. (The railroad depot survives: It's now a visitors center downtown.) The Lewi...
Sights in ancient Greece, and especially Athens, take on a larger importance than in most other places in the world. They are histories of democracy, Western civilization and philosophy firsthand. You can't help but walk around the Parthenon and the rest of the Acropolis and dream about the great o...
Located 70 mi/115 km east of Atlanta, Athens, Georgia, provides a good study in how the New South coexists with the Old South. Athens has been the home of the University of Georgia, the first land-grant university in the U.S., since the school was chartered in 1785. A visit to the campus is worth ...
You won't have to look far to find Athlone's main attraction: Its castle—dating from the 1200s—squats alongside the River Shannon right in the middle of this Irish town 70 mi/115 km west of Dublin, guarding a strategic crossing. The tourist information office is housed in the gatehouse. The castle r...
This island has nice beaches, limestone caves, marae (temple) ruins and a good lagoon for shelling. It's relatively easy to get to: It's served daily by flights on Air Rarotonga. Even so, you'll often have Atiu pretty much to yourself. Accommodations there—and on all outer islands except Aitutaki—...
Atlanta, Georgia, is a bustling, world-class city, with a skyline full of impressive architectural designs that complement rolling hills and abundant foliage. Atlanta is consistently ranked as one of the best places to do business in the U.S., and more than two-dozen of Fortune's Top 1,000 business...
Atlantic Beach is part of the Crystal Coast along North Carolina's southern Outer Banks. Atlantic Beach is home of Fort Macon State Park, a fort from the 1800s captured by the Confederate Army in the Civil War, and Hammocks Beach State Park (near Swansboro), which has high sand dunes along a lovely ...
Atlantic City, New Jersey, attracts casino-goers and day-trippers en masse, as well as big-time entertainment. Year-round, there is always something to do in Atlantic City. Along with the hotels and casinos, a whole new assortment of shops, entertainment venues and attractions, including an upsca...
Overview Introduction People travel 4 mi/7 km southwest from Valletta, Malta, to visit Attard so they can see the San Anton Gardens. First planted in the 17th century, they now contain a wide variety of flowers, shrubs and other plants. The San Anton Palace is the official residence of the presid...
Don't be surprised if you hear the battle cry of "War Eagle" as you enter Auburn, located 60 mi/70 km east of Montgomery. Home to Auburn University and the Auburn Tigers, this town boasts plenty of activities, even when football season is over. Auburn University's Jonathan B. Lovelace Hall of Hono...
Located 25 mi/40 km north of Fort Wayne, Auburn, Indiana, offers the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum with a large collection of vintage cars, many of them built by the Auburn Automobile Company. The company was based in the city until it went out of business in 1937. Antique, collectible and classic...
Auckland is New Zealand's largest, most culturally diverse and cosmopolitan city. Its European, Pacific and Asian influences make it a destination unlike any other. But its urban credentials—a flourishing cultural life and abundant commerce—are often upstaged by its breathtaking geography. Sprawled...
Augrabies Falls National Park, South Africa, features a stunning waterfall (185 ft/56 m high), whose name derives from a San word meaning "Place of Great Noise." It is located near the border with Namibia, about 390 mi/625 km north of Cape Town. The natural beauty is ripe for photography as the Or...
On the Romantic Road (a scenic driving route) and 43 mi/70 km northwest of Munich, Augsburg, Germany, was founded by Roman legions: The town name comes from the Emperor Augustus. This city merits a one-day visit. Among the interesting sights are the unusual Dom (cathedral) with 11th-century bronze...
Founded in 1736, Augusta is a thriving resort community and a mecca for golfers the world over. It's the site of the Master's Tournament, played at the Augusta National Golf Club each April. It's 150 mi/240 km east of Atlanta. The city seems to be constantly redefining itself. Don't miss the parkli...
Located in the southern-central part of Maine, the state's capital—just 55 mi/90 km northeast of Portland—was at various times a lumber center and a major supplier of ice (cut from the nearby Kennebec River) that was sent to places as far away as the Caribbean. The State House was designed by Charle...
Overview Introduction Aukana is the site of an impressive 43-ft/13-m statue of Buddha, which dates from the fifth century AD. Aukana is generally seen in conjunction with Anuradhapura. About 7 mi/11 km west of the city is a slightly smaller statue of Buddha, chiseled at the same time as the Buddh...
The beautiful, undulating green and forested landscape of Aukstaitija National Park is 62 mi/100 km northeast of Vilnius and easily accessible from the capital. The name means "uplands," and the land is dotted with glittering blue lakes and rivers created by the last ice age. This is the oldest of t...
Auroville, India, was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, a French woman of Turkish-Egyptian descent known as "The Mother." Her aim in creating Auroville, just outside Puducherry, was to create a city of the future where people from India and around the world could live and work in a spiritual environ...
People who have lived in the city for more than 15 years often decry the loss of the "old Austin"—a place of low prices and little traffic. Happily, Austin retains its famous combination of southern friendliness and new-age optimism despite its growth and related traffic problems. More importantly,...
One of the most explosive of the Nevada silver boomtowns, Austin was the second-largest city in Nevada in the 1880s but now boasts a population of less than 200. In its heyday, this town 250 mi/400 km northwest of Las Vegas was home to several hundred mining companies (including the Methodist Mining...
Straddling the Tropic of Capricorn, the Austral Islands, 600 mi/966 km south of Papeete, enjoy a cooler climate than the rest of French Polynesia. For those looking to get away from the tourist hustle and bustle, this is the place to go. The islands have a few family pensions, but there are no big...
From the craggy peaks of the Blue Mountains to the lush tropics of Queensland, the parched interior known as the Outback and the coral treasure land of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia has something unusual and something special to offer visitors—even those traveling by tour bus. The most frequen...
Austria is full of rich cultural offerings and traditions, many dating from when Vienna was the seat of a powerful empire. There's plenty of music, too. This is the country of Mozart and Johann Strauss, music festivals in Alpine settings, and the original setting of The Sound of Music . Austria a...
About 90 minutes from Paris, Auxerre is easy to reach on any French vacation and offers quite a bit of sightseeing for the interested traveler. It's also a great home base for visiting some of the surrounding vineyards. While it doesn't have as many sights to visit as some other French cities, Auxe...
Overview Introduction Legend holds that this beach on the western side of the island is where the first Niueans landed. A nearby subterranean cave contains a beautiful pool 60 ft/20 m below the island surface (descent into the pool can be difficult when rains make the cave walls and ledges slick)...
Overview Introduction Where most of Ghana tends to be rather flat, the area to the east of Lake Volta, approximately 90 mi/150 km northeast of Accra, is somewhat more mountainous and significantly cooler than the coast. A popular center for hiking in this region is the small hilltop town of Amedz...
Many find the tile-faced houses and beautiful art nouveau architecture of Aveiro, Portugal, bewitching. Another lovely sight in this historic seaport 150 mi/240 km northeast of Lisbon is the fleet of colorful moliceiros (high-prowed boats) gracing the salt lagoon. Don't miss the Festa da Ria in Ju...
Resting alongside the Rhone River about 60 mi/100 km northwest of Marseille, the Provencal city of Avignon is known as the city of the popes—Pope Clement V moved the papal court to Avignon from Rome in 1309, and Pope Benedict XII commissioned the construction of the Palais des Papes, the papal pala...
More than 1,000 years old, enchanting Avila, Spain, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The surrounding region, known as the Tierra de Cantos y de Santos (Land of Songs and Saints), is associated with Spain's St. John of the Cross and Santa Teresa de Jesus. Lying 55 mi/85 km west of Madrid, ...
In Ireland's County Wicklow, Avoca merits a visit to see weavers at work on hand looms at the Avoca Mill. This small town on the Avoca River is about 35 mi/55 km south of Dublin and is most beautiful in the spring, when the wild cherry trees are in bloom. However, now that it has been immortalized...
Overview Introduction In eastern Ethiopia, the Awash River Valley starts at the edge of the Danakil Desert and continues southwest to just south of Addis. Probably the most famous "residents" of the valley are the Australopithecus afarensis , early human ancestors who lived there more than 3 mil...
This holy city and former capital, found 350 mi/565 km north of Addis Ababa in the northern province of Tigrai, is ancient, dating back 2,000 years. A major stop in caravan routes heading to the Red Sea, Aksum (the early site is referred to as Axum) was the home of Ezana, the Ethiopian king who conv...
Ayacucho is known as the City of Churches for good reason: Locals say there are 33—one for each year of Jesus' life—in this town 250 mi/400 km southeast of Lima (217 mi/350 km by air), including some of the most beautiful churches in Peru. Until the early 1990s, Ayacucho was also known as the home o...
The world's largest monolith, located 280 mi/450 km southwest of Alice Springs, is a truly stunning sight, especially at sunset when its burnt-orange glow seems to set the desert on fire. Called Uluru by the Aborigines, the sandstone rock is huge (1,140 ft/350 m high, 9 mi/13 km around) and reddish ...
Once a simple fishing village, Ayia Napa (in Greek Cyprus) is now a popular, over-developed mid-range beach resort—about a half-million tourists visit annually. It's situated in far eastern Cyprus, 35 mi/62 km east of Larnaca and includes Ayia Napa, Fig Tree Bay, Proteras and Paralimni. Visitors...
Overview Introduction A fascinating Sunday market and a nice hotel and restaurant overlooking the Niger River make Ayorou worth a stop. On Sundays, the market teems with Tuareg, Fulani and Djerma traders who live in the surrounding bush and in villages along the river. The pleasant hotel and rest...
Set in the heart of Scotland's Robert Burns country, approximately 30 mi/50 km southwest of Glasgow, Ayr will appeal to literary mavens. Attractions include the parish church where Burns was baptized, as well as the two bridges the poet immortalized in Twa Brigs . Also in town are 16th-century Loud...
Ayutthaya itself is not the destination—everything around it is. This town 55 mi/85 km north of Bangkok was capital of Thailand from 1350-1767 and flourished under the rule of 33 Siamese kings. It's easily accessed by waterways, however, and in 1767 was sacked by an invading Burmese army. It has now...
Inhabited until 1923 by Ottoman Greeks, Ayvalik combines a beach resort (Sarimsakli, about 4 mi/6 km from town and served by regular minibuses) with a pleasant, small market town 150 mi/240 km north of Izmir. The back streets boast lovely old houses and the remains of a few old churches, currently u...
If you're looking for oil, good caviar or a jumping-off point for a trek into the Caucasus Mountains, this small country sandwiched between Russia and Iran on the Caspian Sea may be just the place. Baku is one of the region's more lively cities, a boomtown again after years of Soviet stagnation. T...
Overview Introduction Azraq, which means "blue" in Arabic, features a nature reserve that includes several pools, marshland that is seasonally flooded and a large mudflat, making it popular with migratory birds. It is located 68 mi/110 km east of Amman. You can get information and book tours at t...
Panama's expansive, semiarid Azuero Peninsula juts into the Pacific Ocean 150 mi/240 km southwest of Panama City. It is a sharp contrast to the lush greenery found elsewhere in Panama, partly because of devastating deforestation for cattle ranching. What sets Azuero apart even more is its string o...
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