Dates Released For 2025 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Spring Blooms Ahead: EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival 2025 Get ready to stop and smell the roses … and the orchids, and the geraniums, and the citrus blossoms! The ...
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Overview Introduction These islands, set midway between Tongatapu and Vava'u, are well worth seeing. It was in this area that Fletcher Christian led the mutiny on the Bounty in 1789. You can fly in ( Lifuka Island has the only airstrip) or go by ferry, a somewhat arduous, overnight voyage. Fis...
Founded in 1279 about 50 mi/75 km southwest of Tallinn, the quiet town of Haapsalu became a seaside resort for the Russian aristocracy in the early 19th century. Almost nothing remains of the oldest part of the city, but for travelers visiting the west coast and the islands, Haapsalu is worth a st...
Situated 15 mi/25 km west of Amsterdam, Haarlem has beautiful medieval houses, a 13th-century city hall, tulips and the Teylers Museum (science, technology and Dutch art). If that's not enough, continue with the Frans Hals Museum (Dutch masters). At St. Bavo Church, you can see a 5,000-pipe organ ...
A visit to Hacienda Buena Vista, Puerto Rico, a 19th-century coffee plantation, is like taking a trip back in time. Located between Ponce and Adjuntas, about a two-hour drive from San Juan, the estate has operated for more than 120 years, changing its cash crop from coffee to corn flour and cotton...
Haderslev, Denmark, is a quaint little town in southern Jutland, 125 mi/200 km southwest of Copenhagen and well off the beaten path. It's not touristy, and its museums, streets, park and cathedral merit a visit. Just outside town is Haderslev Dam, a good place for canoeing and a nice area for hikes....
Overview Introduction Hadramawt is a mountainous region, home to nomadic tribes. This vast and scenic area stretches 350 mi/565 km from the Arabian Sea to the Saudi border. Organized air tours depart Aden daily. If you're going there, be sure your tour includes stops in Al Mukalla and Say'un.
Overview Introduction In the midst of the eerie Gayasan National Park, 175 mi/280 km southeast of Seoul, is Korea's holiest temple, Haeinsa. A ninth-century Buddhist temple, it covers 4 sq mi/10 sq km and has more than 81,000 wooden printing blocks ( Tripitaka Koreana ) used to print Buddhist scr...
Overview Introduction Formerly known as Agana, Guam's capital is a tidy village of about 1,100. Although it was founded in the 17th century, most of Hagatna's buildings date from after World War II. Plan to spend a half-day there to see the Plaza de Espana (government buildings and gardens), the ...
Hagerstown, Maryland, in the western part of the state—70 m/110 km northwest of Baltimore and nearly midway between Pennsylvania and West Virginia—has a number of sights related to area history. Among them are the mid-1700s Jonathan Hager House Museum, and Miller House, a museum, doll and clock co...
Haifa, one of Israel's largest cities, is built on the slopes of Mount Carmel, overlooking the Mediterranean. Its sloping streets and boulevards wind up and down the mountain. Although Haifa sometimes gets a bad rap because of its large industrial areas, visitors will find plenty of fascinating thi...
Overview Introduction Located in the Nafud Desert 400 mi/625 km northwest of Riyadh, Hail, Saudi Arabia, was the home of the Rashid family, who contested the Saud family for control of the country. It merits half a day to see the market and the ruined Rashid palace and mosque. Nomads still go the...
Dubbed the "Hawaii of China," the tropical island of Hainan, located 300 mi/485 km southwest of Hong Kong, is a good place to eat seafood and to escape the winter. Today, the government is promoting it as a tourist destination and an industrial zone. On the other hand, it's developing some great...
Haines, Alaska, is situated on a spit of land on the west side of the Lynn Canal along one of the deepest fjords in the Inside Passage. It is one of only three ports in southeast Alaska with access to North American roads. As a result, Haines is a busy place in the summer. Many vacationers (and the...
Haiphong is a bustling port city on the Gulf of Tonkin 60 mi/95 km southeast of Hanoi, and it's Vietnam's third-largest city. Its vibrant, educated residents are open, friendly and keen to speak to tourists. Despite its heavy industrial economy, the city does have several points of interest, inclu...
The word "Haiti" is nearly always followed by the word "voodoo"—largely because voodoo makes such a good metaphor for the country as far as travelers are concerned: Like voodoo, Haiti can seem strange and dangerous on first glance. Once you spend a bit more time with it, however, it emerges as disti...
Overview Introduction At an elevation of 6,500 feet/1,981 m, Hajjarah is truly spectacular. This walled city built on a steep mountain offers magnificent views, unique architecture and fascinating people. Hajjarah is generally seen as a side trip from Hodeidah. 60 mi/100 km southwest of Sana'a....
The only town named in the national anthem of Norway, Halden sits 60 mi/ 90 km southeast of Oslo near the border with Sweden and is dominated by an impressive 17th-century mountain fortress. A museum and remaining barracks in the fortress demonstrate how the Norwegians tried to protect themselves ...
The eastern portion of Maui is actually a single volcanic mountain—Haleakala. It is the largest dormant volcano in the world, rising 30,000 ft/9,150 m from the ocean floor (only a third of it extends above the water). Encompassed within the national park are the crater of Haleakala and a wedge-shape...
Overview Introduction Half Moon Cay is a private island owned by Holland America, accessible only by Holland America Line or Carnival ships. The island is 100 mi/160 km from Nassau and offers 2 mi/3.2 km of white sand beaches. Most of the island is undeveloped, but the parts that have been settle...
Throughout its history, Halifax, Nova Scotia, has been defined by the Atlantic Ocean. Its blue-gray presence is visible from the city's glass high-rises, centuries-old buildings and surrounding hills. Being built around a huge natural harbor that's second size-wise only to the one in Sydney, Austra...
Overview Introduction About 18 mi/29 km south of Salzburg, deep in the Alps and close to the German border, this town has a notable Celtic collection located in the Keltenmuseum, at Pflegerplatz 5. It’s also home to the amazing "World of Salt" mine, which once provided the mineral which fueled S...
The baroque town of Hallstatt, Austria, has a dramatic setting on the narrow shore between Hallstatter Lake and the sheer face of a cliff, an easy-to-reach 30 mi/50 km southeast of Salzburg. The train station is on the opposite side of the lake, so many visitors are brought into town by boat. Hallst...
Stretching 95 mi/150 km along the shores of the southeastern coast from Geoje Island to Yeosu, Hallyeo Waterway National Park is made up of picturesque coastlines, 368 islands, hundreds of temples and assorted historical relics. This beautiful national sea park contains caves, rock formations, wonde...
Halong Bay is a slice of the South China Sea about 75 mi/120 km southeast of Hanoi that is speckled with more than 2,000 isolated limestone peaks (known as karsts) rising straight up out of the water. A group of 1,900 of these islets has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nevertheless, gon...
Lying 110 mi/180 km north of Damascus in a rich agricultural region, Hama is one of the most pleasant and laid-back cities in Syria. The main attractions are large wooden waterwheels, called norias , that lift water from the Orontes River and transfer it to aqueducts. Several are conveniently locat...
Overview Introduction Hamadan is one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in the world. In the sixth century BC, Hamadan (then called Ecbatana) served as the summer capital of the Achaemenian kings and was peppered with opulent palaces encrusted in jewels and precious metals. Unfortunately,...
From North Hilo to Waipio Valley, the Hamakua coast offers splendid ocean views—take the road below the one marked "scenic point" to see Laupahoehoe Point without the houses blocking your view. This area receives 84 in/213 cm of rainfall a year, and is lined with waterfalls and lush tropical rai...
With more than 32 mi/53 km of canals and more than 2,300 bridges, the cosmopolitan port city of Hamburg, Germany, has an independent, entrepreneurial spirit. Germany's second-largest city is proud of its status as a "city state" and a "Free and Hanseatic Town." The city has established itself as...
The old city of Hameenlinna, Finland, 65 mi/100 km north of Helsinki, is the birthplace of Jean Sibelius, the great Finnish composer. Its star attraction is Hame Castle (built in the 13th century and used as a prison until 1953), where puppet shows, music and fairy tales are presented for children e...
Hamilton, Bermuda's capital, is a charming, small city of pastel houses with whitewashed roofs and attractive shops. Block after block of stores and restaurants line Front Street, across from the harbor. Wigged and robed members of the House of Assembly, occasionally seen walking outdoors, meet ...
Located 70 mi/115 km south of Auckland, in the heart of New Zealand's dairy farming and racehorse breeding industries, Hamilton is home to the Waikato Museum and Art Gallery, which features a good collection of Maori art, and Hamilton Gardens, 100 different gardens, each with its own theme, includin...
Hamilton, Ontario, sits on the Niagara Escarpment, a distinct vertical cliff that separates the upper and lower city. Known as "the mountain," this cliff is the city's defining feature. Streets continue from the bottom of the mountain to the top, with the prefix of "upper" added to streets on the mo...
Hamilton Island is located off Airlie Beach on the Queensland coast and is one of the 74 Whitsunday Islands. The island has some 1,200 residents, some of whom are retirees. Commercial vehicles are not permitted on the island, and most guests walk, or are ferried around by golf buggies or personal bu...
Overview Introduction This coastal resort on a crescent beach is one of the most popular destinations in Tunisia, particularly among Europeans on package tours. The town was first popularized for outsiders in the late 1800s by European painters Paul Klee and August Macke, who found the climate to...
Located 850 mi/1,370 km north of Oslo and one of the world's northernmost ports, little Hammerfest, Norway (with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants), is worth visiting to see the stark Finnmark region, home of the Sami people (sometimes erroneously called Laplanders). Don't be surprised to find reindeer...
Hampi, India, was the capital of the fortified metropolis of Hindu Vijayanagar in the 15th century. Located 350 mi/565 km southeast of Mumbai, the mighty kingdom covered one third of India and was known for its riches, foreign trade and exemplary administration. It was later destroyed, ransacked and...
Overview Introduction Despite New Hampshire's relatively small stretch of oceanfront, its beaches differ widely. To get a taste of the varying flavors, visit the frolicking and junk-food-filled enclave of Hampton Beach, a great place for people-watching and ignoring your diet. You can also catch ...
Located on the southeast side of Maui, Hana is a favorite spot on the island, and getting there is half the fun. You can fly in, but many prefer the 50-mi/75-km drive along the Hana Highway. To call this a winding road is an understatement: There are 670 hairpin turns and 56 one-lane bridges alon...
A one-lane bridge marks the entry to Hanalei, Kauai, a destination small in size, but with a lot of personality. Monumental mountains flank one side of the town, with a classic 2-mi/3-km crescent beach hugging the other. Although travelers might see Hanalei as a quick stop en route to the end of t...
Located 115 mi/185 km southwest of Shanghai (at the southern end of the Grand Canal), Hangzhou, China, is an excellent place to schedule a few days for rest and relaxation—a vacation from your vacation. The capital of Zhejiang province, Hangzhou is extraordinary in the sense that on the one hand,...
A port town with water on three sides, Hanko (80 mi/130 km southwest of Helsinki) is renowned for its 100-year-old villas, some of which have been converted into guesthouses. They were once used by members of the Russian nobility as weekend retreats from the hustle and bustle of St. Petersburg. The ...
Situated in northeastern Missouri, 90 mi/145 km northwest of St. Louis, Hannibal is a picturesque Mississippi River town closely associated with one of the nation's most famous writers, Mark Twain. Twain (then Samuel Clemens) grew up in Hannibal, and you can visit his childhood home on Hill Street. ...
Lying 177 mi/286 km west of Berlin, Hannover, Germany, has had better luck attracting trade-show visitors than tourists; however, an older and popular attraction there is the Herrenhausen Gardens. It has intricate flowerbed patterns, one of the largest garden fountains in Europe and the Regenwaldhau...
Hanoi, the capital of North Vietnam from 1954-1976, and of French Indochina for 70 years before that, is a river city 700 mi/1,120 km north of Ho Chi Minh City. Hanoi is dynamic, chaotic and rapidly changing. More than five million motorbikes dodge, weave and honk through the narrow streets of the...
Situated 55 mi/90 km northwest of Concord, Hanover, New Hampshire, is home to Dartmouth College, a member of the elite Ivy League. Art galleries abound at the university. In particular, be sure to see the Hood Museum of Art. Hanover is also a convenient departure point for those hiking the Appal...
Near the border with Somalia and 235 mi/380 km east of Addis Ababa, this 1,000-year-old town was once the home of French poet Arthur Rimbaud. At an elevation of 5,600 ft/1,850 m, it's in the middle of a coffee- and khat-growing region. (Khat is a mildly narcotic plant that is chewed for its stimulat...
Zimbabwe's capital city, Harare is modern and pleasant. Originally called Salisbury after the then British Prime Minister, the Marquess of Salisbury, the city was founded in 1890 by Cecil Rhodes' British South Africa Company. It is dominated by a kopje —a hillock or pile of boulders, and it was fro...
At one time, Harbin, China, was one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Asia, known as Little Moscow because it served as the terminus for the Trans-Siberian Railway and was where White Russians fled in droves after the Russian Revolution. The latest Paris fashions could be found there before anywhe...
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, near Charles Town ( not Charleston—it's 220 mi/355 km northeast of there), was the site of John Brown's 1859 attempt to seize a federal arsenal so that he could lead a slave revolt. Brown's small force battled U.S. troops under the command of Robert E. Lee but was qu...
One of the main attractions in Harrington Sound is the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo in Flatts Village. Be sure to tour the scenic route Harrington Sound Road, and watch out for longtails and terns swooping over the water. Stop off at The Walsingham Nature Reserve for a jungle walk, then visit th...
Two things define Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 100 mi/162 km west of Philadelphia: the Susquehanna River and the fact that it's the state's capital. The sprawling Capitol building is an Italian Renaissance-style masterpiece. Within the museumlike structure, you'll find stained-glass windows and statuar...
Harrison, 10 mi/177 km northwest of Little Rock, is a good place to stay while visiting the Ozarks, and it's close to Mystic Caverns and several other caverns. The Saunders Museum in Berryville has a big collection of guns, including centuries-old models and shooting iron that belonged to several ...
Overview Introduction Located near Lakeview and the Nevada-Oregon border, this large refuge is a somewhat remote—and subsequently quite pristine—section of wilderness. It's home to nearly 2,000 pronghorn (which technically aren't antelope, though they share similar characteristics). The prongho...
Hartford, Connecticut, the state's capital city, is located in the north-central part of the state. It was originally a Dutch trading post before the Rev. Thomas Hooker established an English settlement there in the 1630s. Although mainly known as an industrial, financial and insurance center, Har...
Overview Introduction In Harvard, Massachusetts, you will find the Fruitlands Museum, a small farmhouse complex that began as a utopian "New Eden" co-founded by transcendentalist Bronson Alcott (Louisa May's father). Exhibits include Shaker furniture and crafts, Native American artifacts and a ga...
Overview Introduction Located on the east coast, the sleepy town of Harwich is one of three ports that service London, which is 70 mi/112 km away. There is not much to do in Harwich, but the nearby towns of Ipswich and Colchester are worth a visit if you are in the area and don't want to visit Lo...
The Harz Mountains, a wooded, mountainous region in central Germany 183 mi/295 km southwest of Berlin, has inspired many eerie legends and folktales. There are several towns and small villages that could be combined for a nice two- or three-day tour. Goslar, about 56 mi/90 km southeast of Hannover,...
Overview Introduction Today Hastings, England, located 55 mi/90 km southeast of London, is a South Coast town with rows of unappealing seaside boardinghouses, run-down amusements and a gravelly beach. But in 1066, the Normans under William the Conqueror landed there in the last successful invasio...
Hat Yai, Thailand, is a bustling commercial center and transportation hub 150 mi/240 km southeast of Phuket. The fourth largest city in Thailand, this southern gulf town has a slew of massage parlors, similar to those in Bangkok, that are popular with Malaysian tourists who cross over the nearby bor...
Overview Introduction Built in the foothills of the Hajar mountains, Hatta (about 60 mi/100 km from Dubai), United Arab Emirates, is a pretty oasis town in the emirate of Dubai. It's filled with traditional local architecture, including the Juma Mosque, built in 1780. But the real draw is just ou...
Comprising 47 islands in New Zealand's Hauraki Gulf, this park is divided into inner islands (for recreation) and outer islands (designated nature reserves). Several can be visited as day trips from Auckland. Kawau, site of the mansion of early governor Sir George Gray, has pleasant walks. You can g...
Havana is one of the world's most beguiling cities, renowned for its gracious people and vibrant music and dance, yet seemingly caught in a 1950s time-warp. Old Havana, or Habana Vieja, is an amalgam of historic structures, cobbled plazas, castles, cathedrals and classical mansions that date back c...
Havre de Grace, Maryland, is set on a point of land where the Susquehanna River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, 30 mi/50 km northeast of Baltimore. Havre de Grace is a nautical town of sailboats, quiet streets and large, Victorian homes. Stop first at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, where you can ...
There's enough beauty and activity in Hawaii to fill more vacations than we could take in a lifetime. With so much to choose from, first-time visitors need to be selective. Our recommendation is to settle first on the Hawaii you want to see. It might be beaches, a luau and nightlife; it might be rar...
Most commonly known as the Big Island, Hawaii Island is also known as the Orchid Isle and the Volcano Isle. Twice as big as all the other islands of the Hawaiian archipelago combined, Hawaii Island's size does not necessarily mean crowded and busy. Most of the island of Hawaii retains a rural flavo...
The impressive Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, with two active volcanoes (Mauna Loa and Kilauea), requires at least a half-day visit, and a full day (or even two) is better. Of the two volcanoes, Kilauea is much more accessible and is more active—it's been erupting continuously since 1983. Mauna Loa...
Hawi is the northernmost town on the Big Island, 50 mi/80 km north of Kailua-Kona, located near the Kohala Mountains and Kapa'au, another small community. The area around Hawi is rich in Hawaiian history, and there are two attractions considered must-sees. First, Mookini Heiau State Monument, a Nati...
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is for the birds—and the people who like to watch them. Even if you're not an avid avian-watcher, the Kempton sanctuary might rope you into the hobby. The view from North Lookout is breathtaking, and there is 8 mi/13 km of trail leading to the pristine spot. The Appalachian...
Overview Introduction This is the only major town between Alberta and Yellowknife. Hay River is divided into a new town and an older area that sprawls across Vale Island. There you'll find an interesting collection of fishing boats, Coast Guard vessels and an almost-abandoned fishing village. 19...
Overview Introduction Heber Springs, 50 mi/80 km north of Little Rock, is among the state's major recreational centers. The trout fishing is great on the Little Red River, starting near the Greers Ferry Dam. Greers Ferry Lake, a huge expanse of water with Sugar Loaf Mountain rising on its west en...
For decades, Hebron, in the Palestinian territories—Al Khalil to Arabs—has been a very volatile place, and it remains so today. It is located 20 mi/32 km southwest of Jerusalem. The city's main attraction, and also the source of much discord, is Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs (also known as...
Just 58 mi/94 km south of Frankfurt and set among lovely tree-covered hills along the Neckar River, Heidelberg is one of Germany's most romantic cities. It was the political center of the Lower Palatinate, but in the late 17th century the French King Louis XIV sacked it two times. The town was re...
Heimaey is an island located approximately 5 mi/8 km off the coast of Iceland that is home to about 4,500 people, and 8 million puffins during the summer. The island is well known for the 1973 eruption of the volcano Eldfell, which destroyed half the town and almost closed the harbor, which is the i...
This town 65 mi/105 km northeast of Atlanta, once a lumber-mill settlement, has been transformed into an Alpine village. In fact, if you blink, you might believe that you've been transported to a German or Swiss Bavarian village. The place is filled with authentic-looking German chalets, cobblestone...
The state's major Mississippi River port is a beautiful old city with antebellum and Victorian homes, 90 mi/145 km east of Little Rock. Its peaceful atmosphere today belies the horror of the Civil War battle that was fought there in 1863: The bloody conflict is recalled at the Confederate cemetery o...
Helena, the state capital located 225 mi/360 km northwest of Billings, began in the 1860s as a gold-rush boomtown. Today, it's home to the old Queen Anne-style governor's mansion, the Greek Renaissance-style state Capitol (with a dome of copper mined in Montana) and The Cathedral of St. Helena, wh...
Overview Introduction Hellesylt, Norway, is a small town situated at the intersection of Sunnylvsfjord and Geirangerfjord. The town only has a population of a few hundred people, and it is in danger of being destroyed by a tsunami if the eroding mountain Akerneset collapses into the fjord. Loc...
With walls rising 7,900 ft/2,400 m from the canyon floor, Hells Canyon, Idaho, is one of the deepest gorges in North America—even deeper than the Grand Canyon. It's located on the Snake River in western Idaho, between Boise and Lewiston. Nature lovers can spend weeks there; others just see it in pas...
This incredibly deep canyon—its walls rise 7,900 ft/2,400 m from the floor—was formed by the Snake River. Outdoor enthusiasts go there for white-water rafting, fishing and the extremely rugged landscape. Access to the area is not easy, however. There are a number of lookout points on the Oregon side...
Overview Introduction Evidently, Saba's settlers were a hardy crowd. They had to be to make it over the harsh terrain to Hell's Gate, a village in the northern part of the island. Perhaps in thanks for surviving such rigors, islanders built the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, which overlooks the sea...
Located south of Lake Naivasha and 50 mi/80 km northwest of Nairobi, Hell's Gate National Park, Kenya, is excellent for hiking, especially through scenic Njorowa Gorge. There are clearly marked trails throughout the park. The wildlife viewing is not so great, however. The main attractions, animal-wi...
Helsinki, Finland's capital, is one of Europe's most interesting and enjoyable cities. Many first-time visitors associate Finland with extreme cold, but the summers—especially in the south—can be magically warm and flooded with light. Even in the depths of winter, daylight is short but present. Alt...
Overview Introduction The tiny lakeside village of Herakleia, 90 mi/145 km south of Izmir, is as pretty as rural Turkey gets, and it's well worth spending the night there to soak up the peace and quiet. Roman and Byzantine ruins are scattered around the lower slopes of Besparmak Dagi (the Five-Fi...
The birthplace of Hercules, King Midas, the Minotaur and countless other legends, Heraklion, the capital of Crete, retains the magic of its ancient roots while embracing modernity, reconciling both into a busy, cosmopolitan city. Many visitors go to the island with the sole purpose of visiting the...
Overview Introduction The country's third-largest city, Herat was once occupied by Alexander the Great. Enormous defensive walls and earthworks remain from ancient times. Destroyed in the early 13th century by Genghis Khan, it was later rebuilt. Although much of the old town is in ruins again, re...
Hereford, England, is located on the River Wye, 45 mi/70 km southwest of Birmingham. The city's main attraction is its 11th-century cathedral, which houses the Mappa Mundi, a world map drawn in the 13th century, and a fine example of a chained library. Hereford also has several interesting museums, ...
Overview Introduction This city is in a self-declared independent area called Somaliland. Of interest mainly for its tribal culture, Hergeisa boasted many tourist facilities before the country's collapse. Among them were a museum, a theater, restaurants, hotels and banks. The altitude makes the c...
The evocatively named Whale Coast in South Africa lives up to its title from July to November, when large numbers of southern right whales seek out the sheltered bays along the South African southern coast for breeding. Whales can be seen from False Bay at Cape Town all the way east to Mossel Bay ...
Located 89 mi/143 km west of Philadelphia, Hershey, Pennsylvania, is the town that chocolate built. Milton Hershey, inventor of the chocolate bar, created the town to house and entertain Hershey employees. It's rather thematic: The street lamps, for instance, are shaped like Hershey's Kisses. Hers...
Overview Introduction Pronounced hee-yain-gain , this small town on the northeast coast of the main island lies in the middle of some of the island's finest scenery and is the emotional heart of the Kanak independence movement. South of town are the Linderalique cliffs—immense limestone cliffs r...
Known as the Home Furnishings Capital of the World, the city of High Point (15 mi/25 km southwest of Greensboro) is a major furniture center that has hosted the International Home Furnishings Market since the early 1920s each April and October. At the High Point Market, which is closed to the publ...
Founded in 1875, Highlands is situated at an elevation of 4,118 ft/1,275 m in the mountains of western North Carolina. Its elevation keeps summer temperatures mild, averaging a maximum of 75 F/24 C. Many travelers escape the summer heat with a visit to Highlands, which is about a three-hour drive fr...
If you really want to get a feeling for how varied and beautiful California is, the way to go is to follow scenic, winding Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway or PCH) along the Pacific Coast from San Juan Capistrano (between San Diego and Los Angeles) in the south to Leggett (between ...
This scenic highway, stretching along nearly 400 mi/640 km of coastline, is the Oregon you have to see—it's the Pacific Northwest as we all imagine it. (Our description starts at the northern border of Oregon and heads south.) Astoria —Located near the mouth of the mighty Columbia River, Astoria...
This long stretch of highway has been called the "loneliest road in America" by Life magazine and residents of the small towns that dot across the middle of the state relish the title. Once part of the Pony Express Trail across central Nevada, the really lonely stretch of the route begins in Ely...
All visitors traveling to or from Punta Cana will pass through Higuey, Dominican Republic, a large, vibrant and ungainly town, officially called Salvaleon de Higuey. It was founded in 1502 by Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon, although historic sites are relatively few. However, the city is ...
Hiiumaa, the second-largest island of Estonia, has beautiful scenery. Hiiumaa and its surrounding islets have been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Preserve. Although short on high-end accommodations, Hiiumaa is far less frequented by tourists than Saaremaa. The island's most significant landmark is ...
Overview Introduction This popular resort offers pretty beaches, good waves and a wide range of inexpensive hotels and restaurants. The reefs just offshore attract divers and snorkelers, but the coral is beat-up and the glass-bottomed boats are too numerous for our taste. Hikkaduwa can feel too c...
Overview Introduction There's little to see in this northwestern village. But nearby is an experimental farm where you can get a sense of the island's endeavors in horticulture—allow about an hour. 7 mi/11 km north of Alofi.
This vast, hilly area (more than 10,000 sq mi/25,900 sq km) is situated in south-central Texas (north and west of San Antonio and west of Austin). It's a tranquil setting of lakes, natural springs, abundant wildlife, hidden limestone canyons and rugged juniper- or oak-covered hills. It has small tow...
Besides hills, this region has mountains, waterfalls, verdant scenery, tea plantations and a cool climate that is a welcome antidote to the heat of the coast and low-lying plains. Situated at 6,525 ft/1,990 m, Nuwara Eliya is one of the highest and most attractive towns in the hill country. The to...
Overview Introduction Antiques lovers will enjoy Hillsborough, Northern Ireland—this town 10 mi/16 km southwest of Belfast is lined with shops. As you shop your way from store to store, you'll pass Hillsborough Castle—the official royal residence in Northern Ireland. It's closed to the public, bu...
Hilo, the largest city on the island of Hawaii and the second largest in the state, is a must-see, daylong visit for garden enthusiasts and probably a half-day trip for everyone else. Hilo is also a perfect base for visiting what residents simply refer to as The Volcano. Only 30 mi/48 km south of...
The small, charming town of Hilpoltstein, Germany, is located 6 mi/10 km southeast of Roth and 18 mi/30 km south of Nuremburg. The town, which is a showcase for Franconian-style architecture, has cobblestoned streets that are easily explored on foot and is centered around a large, historic church....
Located off the coast of South Carolina, the renowned resort destination of Hilton Head Island features golf, beaches, tennis, scenery and an endless selection of water recreation. Known for its carefully maintained natural beauty—tall pines, broad oaks and characteristic palmettos—Hilton Head Isla...
Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle (Shirasagi-jo) was Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage site. After a visit to the castle, it's easy to see why. Perched high on a hill, the castle is a breathtaking multitiered structure featuring white-tiled roofs on the outside and incredible cra...
Driving southeast 15 mi/25 km along winding Highway 228 from Boston, you'll reach Hingham, Massachusetts, a delightful town with a boulevardlike main street and lavish 18th- and 19th-century houses set off by gracious lawns. The elegant town center is the site of Old Ship Church, the oldest wooden...
When the first atomic bomb exploded over Hiroshima, Japan, on 6 August 1945, the city became an immediate symbol for the horrors of war. Today, it has several moving reminders of that day of utter devastation. In the years since the war, Hiroshima has been rebuilt into a fairly typical industrial...
History and archaeology buffs will enjoy the town of Hisarya located 25 mi/40 km north of Plovdiv—there are plenty of Roman walls, gates and other ruins scattered about. Other draws include two 1,300-year-old Christian basilicas and an excellent museum displaying artifacts found in local excavatio...
Hiva Oa, known as the "Garden of the Marquesas," is located 875 mi/1,400 km northeast of Tahiti. It is an island rich in archaeological sites and lined with black-sand beaches. Five huge stone tiki are in Puamau village, a steep 19 mi/30 km drive across the island from Atuona, Hiva Oa's main town. ...
The Vietnamese use the names Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, or simply "HCMC" interchangeably. By any name, Ho Chi Minh City is the economic center of Vietnam, although geographically it's 700 mi/1,120 km south of Hanoi, the capital. With a rapidly growing population, new hotels, chic bars and trendy c...
Hobart is capital of the island state of Tasmania. There the mountains go down to the sea, and the view is dominated by snow-capped Mount Wellington, which forms a magnificent backdrop to the picturesque Salamanca Place and historic architecture of Battery Point. In general, the climate is cooler th...
The small city of Hoboken in northern New Jersey is known as the birthplace of Frank Sinatra, the setting for the 1954 film classic On the Waterfront , and, more recently, as a trendy spot for young professionals to enjoy a lively nightlife. The city also is known as the Mile Square City because ...
This wonderland of scenic gorges, sparkling waterfalls and breathtaking views will eliminate once and for all the notion that the Midwest is only monotonous farmland. This area in the southeastern corner of the state is a great place for bird-watching, with some 100 different species in the area, as...
Overview Introduction Hodeidah (pop 130,000) is a Red Sea port city. The surrounding area looks very African, complete with straw and mud huts, scrub bush and sand. The city itself isn't worth a special visit, but it's a good place to stay while seeing the area. In town, visit the fish market, sp...
Hohe Tauern National Park is located in Austria's most spectacularly beautiful region (summer or winter), the Hohe Tauern Range of the Alps. You can see it by taking one of the country's most exciting highways—the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse, which runs south from the town of Zell am See throug...
Go to Hohhot, China, 255 mi/410 km northwest of Beijing, to see what life in Inner Mongolia is like. Tours can be arranged to visit the Gegentala Steppe to the north. The best months to visit the area are July and August, when temperatures are mild and the grass is tall. You can also arrange accommo...
Overview Introduction The colorful market town of Hoi An, on the banks of Vietnam's Thu Bon River about 400 mi/640 km southeast of Hanoi, is worth a two-day visit—longer if you're a shopper. It was a major port in centuries past, with ships arriving from all over the world for cargoes of silk and...
Originally known as Jamestown and located in St. James Parish, Holetown, Barbados, is a modern, busy place. The heart of the west coast, it has restaurants, shopping, supermarkets and nightlife. Holetown is where the British first made landfall in 1627. Its name comes from The Hole, which is the s...
Located 165 mi/265 km west of Detroit, on the shores of Lake Michigan, Holland—as you might expect from its name—makes much of its Dutch heritage: It was founded by immigrants from the Netherlands in 1847, and it continues many of the traditions of the mother country. Tulips are the foremost attr...
Located on the upland slopes, Holualoa is a well-kept town of resident artists and shops in the heart of Kona coffee country, 5 mi/8 km southeast of Kailua-Kona. Spend some time exploring the many art specialty shops, galleries and studios. Look for Holualoa Gallery, the converted coffee mill that's...
One of the most unusual places in England, Holy Island is accessible by car only at low tide via a causeway. It has strong ties with the early Christian church and also with the Vikings. The island is located 120 mi/190 km north of York. The Lindisfarne Gospels, now at the British Library in London...
Overview Introduction Holyoke, Massachusetts, 8 mi/13 km north of Springfield, is an example of an early planned mill city. Today it's a year-round recreation center, with fishing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, rock climbing and snowshoeing at Mount Tom State Reservation. At Holyoke Heritage...
Overview Introduction The lovely village of Hombori sits surrounded by rocky outcroppings. Notably different from most West African towns because of its stone houses, Hombori is built on the slopes of Hombori Tondo, a 3,800-ft/1,150-m mesa 450 mi/725 km northeast of Bamako. Hombori's main attrac...
A fishing center and artists' colony on the Kenai Peninsula, Homer sits on Kachemak Bay 226 mi/361 km southwest of Anchorage among some of the most beautiful scenery in south-central Alaska. The area is well-known for fishing: Homer lands more halibut than any other port in North America, and sal...
Although it's Syria's third-largest city and only 100 mi/160 km north of Damascus, few visitors bother to stop in Homs. The main sites include the Great Mosque al-Nuri, the Um al-Zunnar Church and the Church of St. Elian, where some very old frescoes were discovered in 1970. Homs is well-situated ...
Honduras offers an array of different vacation experiences—perhaps more than any other country in Central America. It can be a resort-oriented getaway for divers and snorkelers (in the Bay Islands), a showplace of Mayan archaeological treasures (at Copan) or an eco- and adventure-travel playground (...
Hong Kong is a place of contrasts—geographically, socially and economically. Although many Asian cities claim to be where East meets West, the former British Crown colony is probably the closest the world comes to the genuine article. Travel to Hong Kong and scratch the cosmopolitan, tech-heavy ...
Overview Introduction Honningsvag, Norway, is, in some ways, the most northern point of Europe. It is also the largest cruise port in Northern Norway, with about 100 cruise ships every summer season. Location Cruise ships dock at one of five piers in the port, all of which are less than a fiv...
Serious windsurfers have given Hood River a reputation as a top place to test their mettle, and it's also the gateway to a scenic and productive fruit-growing region. During the harvest season (September-October), local orchards, fruit stands and wineries offer special samplings. More than 15,000 ac...
Hoorn makes an attractive day trip from Amsterdam because of its colorful history and charming village atmosphere. Hoorn was mightily enriched because its harbor was a key hub for the Dutch East India Co. The company's men circled the globe, and one, a Hoorn native, named the tip of South America f...
Located about 25 mi/40 km southeast of Las Vegas, Hoover Dam is an amazing feat of engineering as well as an impressive art-deco monument. Completed in 1935, this dam on the Colorado River provides power for an area extending from coastal Southern California to large portions of Nevada and Arizona. ...
Hope, Arkansas, a small town in the southwestern part of the state, 110 mi/175 km southwest of Little Rock, used to be known for growing the world's largest watermelons. Now it's better known as the birthplace of former U.S. President Bill Clinton. City leaders have published a map/guide highlight...
A fast-developing but still ultralow-key beach area on the coast between Dangriga and Placencia, 80 mi/130 km by road south of Belize City, Hopkins maintains the feel of a friendly Garifuna village. It's a great place to learn about the culture. In addition to the handful of budget options, severa...
Hofn is a small fishing town in the southeast of Iceland. It's a good place to stock up on supplies. Hofn's main draw is its proximity to the beautiful natural wonders of Vatnajokull and Jokulsarlon, as well as being the key entrance point into the East Fjords. Hofn's small airport serves domestic f...
Hortobagy is the name of both a region and a town in the Great Plain of eastern Hungary. Locally, they call the area puszta , which means "deserted, flat and barren land." (Mirages are somewhat common on hot summer days.) It's worth spending a day just absorbing the lifestyle—the old, rural Hungari...
The first thing to know about Hot Springs, Arkansas, is that its name is appropriate: The springs that bubble to the surface there are renowned for their purified water and have been an attraction for centuries. Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto is thought to have visited them in the 1500s. The supp...
Overview Introduction Hot springs are found near several villages in Burundi. About 10 mi/16 km from Kilemba are the Kibabi Hot Springs, where pools have varying temperatures. South of the Source du Nil, hot springs can be found near the town of Muhweza .
In the 1890s, mineral springs and health spas made the city of Hot Springs, located 57 mi/91 km south of Rapid City, the first tourist mecca in the Black Hills. Today, the hot springs are still flowing: The town boasts Evans Plunge, a large, indoor swimming pool that's warmed by naturally heated w...
Houma, a small town at the intersection of seven bayous 45 mi/70 km southwest of New Orleans, has 52 utilitarian-looking bridges spanning the waterways. It's also sometimes known as the "Venice of Louisiana" because so many people use boats and bayous to get around. Nowadays, it's a gateway to the w...
When Houston, Texas, dubbed itself Space City, it was referring to its connection to the stars (via nearby NASA's Johnson Space Center, built in 1961). But the nickname could just as well refer to the enormous amount of earthbound space the town occupies within the city limits, much less the metro ...
Overview Introduction Hsipaw (pronounced see-paw ), Myanmar, was once a Shan royal city, at least until its last prince, Sao Kya Seng, was kidnapped in 1962. (The saga has been chronicled by the prince's Austrian wife, Inge Sargent, in her memoir Twilight Over Burma: My Life as a Shan Princess ...
The once-sleepy beachfront resort town of Hua Hin, 125 mi/200 km south of Bangkok on the west coast of Thailand, has begun to attract well-deserved attention. As the location of the summer palace of the king of Thailand, Hua Hin found favor with wealthy Bangkok Thais long before it was discovered by...
Our favorite of the Society Islands, Huahine is a great choice for anyone who wants to see something aside from the main tourist islands (Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora). Located 110 mi/180 km northwest of Papeete, on Tahiti, it's uncrowded enough to fit most people's expectations of a sleepy Polynes...
Huancayo is a busy commercial center in central Peru, 120 mi/195 km east of Lima. See the Convento Santa Rosa de Ocopa, which has one of the most complete collections of antiquities in the country. There's also a museum of natural history, Torre Torre (two enormous geological towers) and Capilla La ...
The attractive Huang Shan Mountain resort region, 80 mi/125 km south of Nanjing, is about a day's drive from both Hangzhou and Shanghai in Anhui province. It is not one of China's nine sacred mountains, but it may be the country's most beautiful peak nonetheless. There are three routes to the top: ...
Huaraz, about 180 mi/290 km north of Lima, is Peru's most important center for treks and mountain climbing in the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Huayhuash. Huaraz has a glorious setting beneath the glaciated peaks of the Cordillera Blanca—from your hotel window you can see Huascaran (Peru's highes...
Don't let Huatulco's Mexican colonial-style architecture fool you—most of it is just a few decades old. The brainchild of Fonatur, Mexico's tourism development agency, this is one of the country's newest Pacific-coast resorts, and it represents a carefully balanced attempt at mixing high-end touris...
The lovely Hudson River Valley area, which begins about 45 mi/70 km north of New York City, can be visited while traveling between New York City and Albany. Tarrytown, Croton-on-Hudson, West Point, Hyde Park, Kingston and Rhinebeck are the most common stopping points for visitors, but there are seve...
Hue was the capital of Vietnam during the decadent 19th-century Nguyen Dynasty, and it is still an important literary and cultural center. This city 340 mi/545 km southeast of Hanoi was dramatically affected during both wars with the French in the 1940s and later with the Americans in the 1960s-70...
Humahuaca, Argentina, is a high-altitude town 880 mi/1,415 km northwest of Buenos Aires, in the beautiful Quebrada de Humahuaca Canyon, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's a popular tourist attraction that reminds visitors that Argentina shares a border and an indigenous cultural heritage wi...
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is a protected area located in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands, primarily focused on the conservation of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and their habitat.
The sanctuary was designated by the U.S. Congress in 1992...
Hungary might not be what you expect from an eastern European country. Because it opened its borders to the West before many of its neighbors, it also had a head start on hospitality, welcoming visitors with its rich and varied cuisine, gorgeous wine regions and steamy thermal spas. From the strikin...
The Hunter Valley, which covers about 9,650 sq mi/15,530 sq km, has more than 120 wineries that produce mostly high-quality vintages, especially Semillon (white) and Shiraz (red). A visit to the valley, which is about a two-hour drive north of Sydney, is a popular day trip for Sydneysiders and visit...
Located in the low rolling hills of the Ohio River Valley 45 mi/75 km west of Charleston, Huntington's pleasant ambience seems more Midwestern than Appalachian. Of particular interest is the Huntington Museum of Art, which displays sculpture, paintings, local glass and changing exhibits. The museu...
A quintessential beach town, Huntington Beach, California, is a surfer's paradise located in Orange County, less than 10 mi/16 km up the coast from Newport Beach and about 35 mi/56 km south of Los Angeles. The self-named Surf City, USA, is no longer the sleepy beach town it used to be, as boutiques...
The nation's space exploration and research program had its start in Huntsville, when Dr. Wernher von Braun and a team of German scientists began working at the Redstone Arsenal at the close of World War II. Today, visitors can learn about their work at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. When you've...
Overview Introduction A special area in northern Pakistan, the Hunza Valley offers spectacular scenery and the Batura Glacier. The people of the valley are famous for their longevity, which they claim is due to their isolation from modern civilization. (Some even claim that the valley inspired th...
A well-known resort on the Red Sea 240 mi/385 km southeast of Cairo, Hurghada, Egypt, has a beautiful crescent-shaped bay, rugged mountains and good beaches, but the main attraction is a nearby coral reef—one of the finest in the world. Local dive centers accommodate both snorkelers and scuba dive...
Located in the central part of Kansas, 50 mi/80 km northwest of Wichita, the town of Hutchinson is known for its annual softball and baseball tournaments (April-October) that attract 100 teams from around the country. Hutchinson also hosts another big sporting event, the National Junior College Bask...
Overview Introduction Truly one of the most impressive spots in the South Pacific, the Huvalu Conservation Area (often referred to as the Huvalu Rain Forest ) is a world of ebony, Tahitian chestnut trees and other lush foliage. Located on the southeastern side of Niue, the rain forest demands qu...
The name Hvar refers to both the island and the principal town on the island. If you arrive on the island by ferry, you may land at Stari Grad, which lies northeast of Hvar. We found the road from Stari Grad to the town of Hvar, creeping along a narrow precipice overlooking the sea, to be beautiful...
Hveragerdi, Iceland, offers walking trails, health spas and an opportunity to see vegetables and fruit growing in greenhouses heated by geothermal water. It's a nice place to relax. Located 30 mi/45 km southeast of Reykjavik, the town is a popular stopover for buses taking visitors on day trips, so ...
Pronounced h'WAN-gay , this huge game park was established in 1929 and is the largest in Zimbabwe—8,760 sq mi/22,690 sq km. The landscape comprises grasslands, granite outcrops, savanna, scrubland and scattered woodland. The abundance of game guarantees sightings, so you'll see more than enough to ...
Regular fishing and scenic excursions leave from Hyannis, Massachusetts, which serves as a port for ferries from Cape Cod to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket islands. (You also can catch ferries to the two islands from other towns.) The Old Jail built in the early 1700s is supposedly Cape Cod's most ...
Hyderabad is the only southern Indian city where Islamic influences in architecture, history and culture predominate. It was under Muslim rule for centuries, and about 40% of the city's population is Muslim. Hyderabad is architecturally distinct from other Mughal-founded cities, and its unique atmos...
If you must pick one island near Athens to visit, our vote is for Hydra, 50 mi/80 km south of Athens. It has style—gracious centuries-old stone houses climb the hills surrounding a lovely boat-filled harbor. And it offers peace and quiet—it is easily accessible by ferry, and neither cars nor the ob...
A list of travel tips and tricks for h.
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