We recognize that vacations are not just an investment, but often the highlights of our lives, and we take that responsibility seriously. We want to ensure you have the best vacation experience.
Interested in a job in travel? Click here to learn: How to Become a Travel Agent
For those on a northern excursion of the country, Iasi, the ancient capital of Moldavia, is definitely worth a visit. And it's also an important stop for those who want to get closer to the Romanian heart and intellect. During the latter half of the 19th century, Iasi (pronounced Yash ) was known f...
Located 80 mi/130 km northeast of Lagos, Ibadan is enormous, ugly and plagued with crime, and there are few good places to stay. If you do find yourself in Ibadan, visit the Dugbe market (one of the country's largest) and the University of Ibadan. The university guesthouse also has a small market ...
The Balearic Island of Ibiza (pronounced ee-BEE-tha ) is most strongly associated, these days, with the club and drug culture of the hordes of young visitors who descend there each summer. The main club scene, including the huge, all-night spots that often have outdoor laser displays, is mostly c...
Ibo Island is a quaint little piece of land with a lost-world appeal. This former slave-trading center is part of the Quirimba Archipelago and is 1,000 mi/1,600 km northeast of Maputo. It is similar to Mozambique Island—full of decaying fortresses, palaces and villas that recall its heyday centuries...
Overview Introduction One of the oldest settlements in Oman, this formerly walled town contains a well-preserved castle, a restored mosque and a distinctive women-only bazaar that specializes in henna, cosmetics and clothes. The town was once a key hub on caravan routes. 190 mi/310 km south of M...
Overview Introduction Indigo dyeing and weaving (including the weaving of camel-hair rugs) are major industries in this town, which is quite far inland on the main highway. Just to the south of Ibri is the village of Sulaif . Though abandoned, the traditional architecture of the town is worth se...
The city of Ica is set in the middle of dune-filled deserts, 160 mi/260 km southeast of Lima, on the banks of the Ica River. It is locally renowned for its grapes, wineries and pisco distilleries (tours can be arranged). The grape-harvest season runs February-April. The surrounding desert sand dun...
Iceland's stark, pristine scenery has been shaped by fire and ice: More than 200 volcanoes and numerous glaciers form the country's landscape. It's a frozen land that's always letting off steam. Its U-shaped valleys, jagged lava fields, monstrous ice caps, hot springs and geysers have carved a rugg...
Idaho's nickname, the Gem State, comes from the 72 different types of precious and semiprecious stones found there. In many places, Idaho is an unpolished gem: Mountain ranges spread the length of the state overlooking hidden gems that range from wild white-water rivers to steep gorges to highland...
Idaho Falls, Idaho, in the southeastern part of the state, 210 mi/340 km east of Boise, is known primarily as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. The town hosts some festivals, such as the Idaho Falls Snake River Settlers Celebration (fireworks, barbecue, games—Fourth of July weekend) and the ...
Ife, Nigeria, is the home of Oranyan, the mythical founder of the Yoruba people. Ife is considered the cradle of Yoruba civilization. While in Ife, visit the museum (a small but interesting collection of historical artifacts), the king's palace (you're not allowed inside but the gatekeeper will sh...
By Moroccan standards, Ifrane, a town in the Middle Atlas, is comparatively young, and its red-tiled chalets make it seem more European than Moroccan. It's home to both the king's summer residence and Al-Akhawaya University, an elite school. The scenery and fresh air are the biggest draws. Ifrane ...
Iguacu National Park is listed by UNESCO as a Natural Heritage of Humanity area. Located near the junction of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay and 730 mi/1,175 km southwest of Rio de Janeiro, Iguacu Falls (pronounced eeh-gwa-SUE ) is quite simply a must-see. There are 275 cataracts in all, stretching...
Overview Introduction Although not in Paraguay, these spectacular falls are easily accessible via the 1,650-ft-/500-m-long Friendship/International Bridge at Ciudad del Este. Iguacu is made up of 475 cascades spanning a distance of 2 mi/3 km and rising to a height of 300 ft/90 meters. Be sure to ...
Overview Introduction Ihosy is generally visited as an overnight on the long, 250 mi/400 km drive from Antananarivo to the south of Madagascar. It offers accommodations and pleasant scenery, including views of the Andringitra Massif, but there's no need to schedule extra time there.
IJmuiden, pronounced "Eye Muiden" for non-Dutch speakers, is located at the entrance of the Amsterdam North Sea Canal. IJmuiden is a small town that functions mainly as a gateway to Amsterdam, but if you have extra time in town, be sure to check out the enormous North Sea Locks. Ijmuiden is locate...
Inscribed as West Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, the 69-acre/28-hectare island of Goree in Senegal is the only West African town founded by early European settlers to have retained its pre-20th-century shape. An association with the trans-Atlantic slave trade has made Goree a p...
Overview Introduction Named for the unique pines (some more than 200 ft/60 m tall) covering the interior of the island, Ile des Pins is a South Pacific beachcomber's paradise. The pure white beaches of Kuto and Kanumera Bays, surrounded by coconut trees and wild orchids, are truly among the best ...
Overview Introduction Named for the thousands of turtles everywhere (be sure to visit the Turtle Club), Ouen has excellent beaches and adequate accommodations. We recommend it as a nice place to relax and put in some serious beach time for a few days. 13 mi/20 km southeast of Noumea, just off th...
This island group near Conakry includes beautiful Roume ( Ile Roume )—rumored to be the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island . Roume was once a slave-trade headquarters; later, the British mounted an antislavery campaign against it. On the 5 mi-/8-km-long island of Kassa , o...
Les Saintes, a 6-sq-mi/15-sq-km archipelago of eight small islands in Guadeloupe, has a population of 3,350, most of whom are the blond-haired, blue-eyed descendants of immigrants who arrived from Brittany 300 years ago. The islands appeal particularly to pleasure-craft sailors and tourists who wa...
Once notorious for its penal colony and quarantine hospital, this island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro is now renowned for its pristine, protected rainforest and beautiful beaches. The largest village on Ilha Grande, Vila do Abraao, which is where the ferry from the mainland deposits visitors, con...
Illinois provides an interesting slice of the Midwest, a combination of the urban, sophisticated delights of Chicago and the much more laid-back "downstate" (everywhere that is not Chicago), where Lincoln lore and other rural attractions recall the Illinois of the 1800s. Illinois' dual identity is ...
Overview Introduction This area on the border with Uganda offers a cool climate for those seeking a respite from the heat, as did the British who built a hill station there during colonial times. Home to the Aoholi and Pari tribes, the area also is controlled by rebel forces and considered unsafe...
Overview Introduction Once the site of a major slave market, today this unattractive oasis in central Algeria produces millions of dates, but it is mostly seen by travelers as a stopping point on the way through the desert. If you're en route to/from Tamanrasset, you'll want to pause only long en...
Overview Introduction In addition to an office with a printing press for his newspaper, Indian Opinion , Mohandas Gandhi's settlement in Inanda included a clinic, school and homes, including his own family's cottage, Sarvodaya, which means "well-being for all." Today visitors are welcome to look...
Overview Introduction Designated a historic district in 1977, this small town on the southeastern coast has a good beach and an atmosphere of peace and quiet. Visit St. Joseph Catholic Church and Inarajan Pool, a reef-protected area just south of town that's good for swimming and picnicking. Abou...
The international airport in Incheon has replaced the older Gimpo airport, so this city may be your first taste of Korea. A major seaport 16 mi/26 km west of Seoul, the city is noted for its fine seafood restaurants and fish markets. Usually seen as a half-day trip from Seoul, the trip can be length...
A trip to India is an all-out assault on the senses. You'll travel through dusty heat (or snowy cold in the north), sharing roads with a parade of bicycles, auto-rickshaws, sputtering motorcycles, tinsel-draped trucks, cattle, livestock and the occasional elephant. At India's sights and markets, ...
Indiana is a crossroads. Ever since the National Road was built in the 1830s, transportation routes have been a large part of the state's identity. Indiana is at the confluence of the Midwest, where the Great Lakes give way to vast plains and countryside verges on big-city factories. Travelers to I...
Located about 40 mi/64 km northwest of South Bend, Indiana Dunes State Park is on the shore of Lake Michigan. This area encompasses 13,000 acres/5,265 hectares of wilderness and developed sites. The area offers beaches, hiking trails, fishing, cross-country skiing, and diverse plants and wildlife. A...
The downtown of Indianapolis, Indiana, is a cosmopolitan, ever-changing hive of activity with plenty of restaurants, hotels and activity keeping it buzzing. The convention center and a state-of-the-art sports facility have helped change the face of the city's skyline. Lucas Oil Stadium, a 63,000-s...
Indonesia is one of Southeast Asia's business hot spots and a growing travel destination. Bali, especially, is an easy and enjoyable place to visit, full of stunning sights, interesting Hindu culture, friendly people and comfortable amenities. With an estimated 250 million people, Indonesia is th...
One of the first areas colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Inhambane, 220 mi/355 km northeast of Maputo, was once an important trading center. Today, however, it is little more than a sleepy, yet delightful, provincial coastal town. Old buildings and cobblestoned streets provide faded...
Overview Introduction This old colonial town (on the Kinshasa-Matadi railway) has an excellent botanical garden, colonial homes, one of Africa's largest cathedrals and a 19th-century Catholic mission. 65 mi/105 km south of Kinshasa.
Situated about 110 mi/180 km southeast of Mandalay, Inle Lake, Myanmar, (pronounced EEN-lay ) is a beautiful resort area once described by the national tourist bureau as "outrageously picturesque." We can only agree. The hill-rimmed lake is dotted with floating gardens and villages built on stilt...
Founded in 1180 and twice the site of the Winter Olympics, Innsbruck, Austria, is the capital of the gorgeous state of Tirol (also spelled "Tyrol"). It merits a three-night visit. Set at the base of the spectacular Alps, Innsbruck is 235 mi/375 km southwest of Vienna and 60 mi/95 km south of Muni...
The Inside Passage is a protected seaway that stretches for more than 1,000 mi/1,600 km between the coast of southeast Alaska and a narrow string of islands to the west. It ends in Skagway, about 90 mi/145 km north of Juneau. The waterway has long been the favored sea route between Anchorage and the...
The little town of Interlaken, Switzerland, 40 mi/65 km southeast of Bern, is the main tourism hub for the Bernese Oberland region. It makes an excellent base for day trips to nearby towns, lakes and mountains. As the name implies, Interlaken lies between two lakes, Brienzer See and Thuner See. Bles...
Extending north across the border with Canada, this 2,340-acre/950-hectare park is dedicated to the friendship between the two nations. Self-guided, scenic drives on both sides of the border loop around lakes, playgrounds and picnic areas. The 1.5-mi/2.5-km border walk through the Formal Gardens sho...
At the end of the Dempster Highway is the town of Inuvik, the governmental center for the western Arctic. Be sure to see the town's igloo-shaped church and Chuk Territorial Park, which offers a view of the delta of the Mackenzie River. Restaurants in town serve dishes suitable to the far north: cari...
Overview Introduction Except for a few minor interruptions, Inwa, formerly known as Ava, was Myanmar's capital city for nearly 400 years, before finally losing that crown to nearby Amarapura. Little remains of the original city, located 13 mi/21 km southwest of Mandalay, but a sprinkling of crumb...
The Ionian Islands are composed of seven islands off the west coast of Greece: Corfu, Paxi, Lefkas, Ithaca, Cephalonia, Zakinthos and Kythira. The Ionian Islands are known for their temperate weather, lush vegetation and watersports opportunities—many island beaches are internationally acclaimed for...
This Cycladic island 125 mi/200 km southeast of Athens is the place to go if you want a wild time in Greece. There are plenty of all-night bars and dance clubs to attract a young (ages 18-25) crowd. You won't be bothered by obligatory tours of cultural sites—there are none. The island has 365 chur...
One of Iowa's signature attractions exists only in the fall: Human-scale mazes made out of—what else?—corn. Dozens of corn mazes can be found throughout the state each autumn, offering an enticing blend of tourism and agriculture. (A tip: Don't try to cheat by cutting through the corn. It's like ste...
Iowa City was the site of the original state Capitol. The old Greek Revival building has been restored and is now a museum offering guided tours. Today, the city is better known as the home of the University of Iowa. Two of the university's museums are worth seeing: The Museum of Art has an excellen...
This city in northwestern Malaysia was founded by Chinese tin miners and continues to be populated primarily by ethnic Chinese to this day. Situated 110 mi/180 km northeast of Kuala Lumpur, it is mainly a stop-off for tourists traveling north to south, but the city does have some interesting feature...
Just north of Salem and 31 mi/50 km northeast of Boston (on Route 107) lies the charming colonial town of Ipswich, Massachusetts, which has several 17th-century homes (preserved by the Ipswich Historical Society) around the town common. Anne Bradstreet lived there, and several first editions of her ...
Once part of Peru, the former Atacama Desert nitrate port of Iquique, Chile, 1,150 mi/1,850 km north of Santiago, now relies primarily on fishing, tourism and a duty-free shopping complex. In town, see the renovated Plaza Prat and its clock tower, nearby Paseo Baquedano and its historic Victorian ...
Iquitos is known as the gateway to the Amazon basin. The city lies on the banks of the mile-/kilometer-wide Amazon River in the middle of dense, flat jungle, some 635 mi/1,020 km northeast of Lima. Sights include a floating market (known as Belen, or Bethlehem) and some interesting shops selling Ame...
Iran seems to be torn between two worlds. Beneath public veils and behind closed doors, many Iranians apparently long for a little relief from the strict Islamic codes that have been enforced for more than two decades. On many rooftops, you can see satellite dishes beaming in forbidden programming f...
The word Baghdad used to conjure up exotic images, from ancient relics to magic carpets. Today, Iraq is a nation struggling to rebuild both its infrastructure and government after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein by U.S.-led coalition forces in spring 2003. Hussein's regime, which had been accused ...
The Irazu Volcano poured smoke from 1963-65 and deposited ash and mud as far away as San Jose. Today, the volcano, located about 35 m/56 km east of San Jose, is surrounded by trees and wide plains where, if you're lucky, you will see foxes and other animals hunting and grazing. The summit—which ca...
This city, 57 mi/92 km north of Amman, is located near the Al Himmeh hot springs. These natural baths, still used today, are a bit smelly, but the beautiful views of Lake Tiberius (the Sea of Galilee) help compensate for any unpleasantness. About 20 mi/30 km northwest of town is the Decapolis city...
Travelers looking for charm, friendly people, solid service without a "touristy" feel and plenty of places to explore should plan a vacation to Ireland. In addition to pubs and Riverdance-style step dancers, you also can find local musicians, stunning scenery, ruins and historical sites, golfing and...
We like the 350-year-old Siberian city of Irkutsk, Russia. In winter, Irkutsk is dressed in fantasylike attire: trees covered by a wonderful lace of hoarfrost, and the snow sparkling brightly under the strong sun and blue sky. In summer, expect the opposite—hot, sunny days. The difference between wi...
Ironbridge, England, is a small town in rural Shropshire, which once dominated the world in the production of iron. It is located on the upper reaches of the River Severn, about 30 mi/50 km northwest of Birmingham. The town is named after a magnificent iron bridge that still spans the gorge (and i...
With a location midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, Irvine, California, could easily be overlooked by travelers. But its position between these two popular cities is exactly what makes Irvine a fine vacation destination for families. No visit to Southern California would be complete without a...
The largest of the islands, Isabela has the Galapagos' tallest peak—Volcano Wolf—at 5,487 ft/1,646 m. The island resembles a sea horse when seen on a map. Also known as Albemarle, the island was formed when six volcanoes erupted and melded together. About 2,000 people reside there, mostly on the sou...
Of volcanic origin, Ischia is larger and not quite as lush as popular Capri, its sister island in the Bay of Naples. During the high season it can be loaded with traffic and occasional smog. Ischia is probably best-known for its hot springs and spas. Ischia's thermal waters are among the largest in ...
Ise-Shima National Park, located 75 mi/ 120 km east of Osaka, is centered around the most sacred shrine in Japan and provides a fascinating glimpse into Japanese culture. For almost 2,000 years, the Grand Shrine of Ise is where the imperial family has gone to seek advice from the gods. The Grand S...
A 2,500-year-old city and Persia's capital from 1598 to 1722, Esfahan is filled with old gardens and some of the best sights in Iran. The city's golden age took place under the reign of Shah Abbas I (1587-1629), who kicked out the Ottoman Turks and unified Persia. The city's stunning blue-tiled mosq...
The vast UNESCO World Heritage site of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa, lies 150 mi/250 km from Durban, along the humid stretch of coast running northward from the St. Lucia Estuary to Kosi Bay on the border with Mozambique. The park comprises eight interlinking ecosystems that house ancien...
Isla de Coiba, Panama, 190 mi/305 km southeast of Panama City, is the country's largest island. Swathed in tropical forest, fringed by mangroves and ringed by coral reefs, this remote national park was formerly a penal colony. The colony has been phased out and is now in a state of intentional decay...
Isla de la Juventud, Cuba, sits some distance from the country's main island, 80 mi/130 km south of Havana, and has great beaches around Punta del Este in the south (in a military zone where visitors are admitted only with a guide, easily arranged in town), but it's not primarily a beach destination...
Although it has been discovered by tourists, the once-sleepy Isla Mujeres, Mexico, and its fishing village manage to retain a tranquil atmosphere. Long a haven for divers, anglers, escapists and adventurers, the small (5-mi-/8-km-long by 0.5-mi-/0.8-km-wide) island lies 8 mi/13 km off the northeas...
Islamabad and Rawalpindi are so close together (and share the same airport) that we've chosen to combine the two. The cities are in north-central Pakistan, at the edge of the Potohar Plateau. Islamabad (pop. 201,000), 10 mi/16 km north of Rawalpindi, was built from scratch in 1961 to be the capital ...
Overview
Island Harbour, Anguilla, is a picturesque lobstering and fishing village on the north side of the island. It has a strong Irish feel to it. Island Harbour is also home to some interesting, 1,000-year-old Amerindian petroglyphs at Big Spring Cave. The site is maintained by the Anguilla National Tr...
Most visitors see Isle of Anglesey, which is a stronghold of the Welsh language, only when taking a ferry to Dun Laoghaire, Ireland. Try to spend a day driving completely around it, stopping to visit Beaumaris Castle, the Museum of Childhood Memories (well worth a visit) and the various bays. The ...
Scotland's Isle of Arran is a thriving island that has been described—with good reason—as "Scotland in Miniature." The Highland Boundary Fault bisects the island so its southern half is all rolling hills and farmland, and the north is a wild landscape of mountains and glens similar to the Highlands....
Isle of Man, an island in the Irish Sea 80 mi/130 km northwest of Liverpool, is a stark, rugged and fascinating land. It is not part of England (or the United Kingdom, for that matter). Instead, it's a crown dependency (and a tax haven for the rich), with its own postage stamps, laws, currency and p...
Isle of Palms lies to the east of Charleston and has 17 mi/27 km of beach, including a public beach park, a major resort and a beachfront cluster of shops and restaurants. Nearby Sullivan's Island also has a public-access beach, restaurants and the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse.
The Isle of Wight is a quiet, scenic and sunny island, only 23 mi/37 km across and located 5 mi/8 km south of Portsmouth. It offers a relaxing environment, but it takes at least two nights to get into the rhythm of the island (four nights—two in the north and two in the south—would be ideal). Amon...
This remote island, which gets fewer visitors in a season than Yellowstone gets in a day, is recommended only to those who have flexible travel schedules. Situated far out in Lake Superior, 500 mi/805 km northwest of Detroit, it can only be reached by boat or plane, and the Lake Superior waters can ...
Accessible by helicopter, ferry or small plane from Penzance, the Isles of Scilly offer an assortment of flowers (daffodils are the main export), white-sand beaches, birds, trails, small forts and a pirate-laden history. St. Mary's, the main island, has the most hotels and pubs. The tallest lighth...
Facing Lenno, Sala Comacina and Ossuccio on the western shore of Lake Como, forested Isola Comacina is the only island on the lake. Today it's hard to believe that Comacina, located 16 mi/26 km from Como, was once a power hub in this region. In the Middle Ages, the island, then named Cristopolis, ...
At times, Israel can seem like a country obsessed by religion. In Jerusalem, you may hear the Muslim call to prayer clash with the clanging of bells from Christian churches, while Jews sway back and forth in prayer before the Western Wall. In other parts of the country, you'll find yourself walking ...
For the better part of two millennia, Istanbul, Turkey, has been one of the greatest cities in the world, and it remains one of the most vibrant and magical places in Europe and the Middle East. It is not the capital of Turkey—that honor was bestowed on Ankara in the 1920s—but Istanbul is the count...
Just south of the border with Switzerland, the Italian Lakes District includes Lago di Como, Lago di Orta and Lago Maggiore. Each of the lakes offers a truly exquisite setting amid mountains, lakes, hills, villas, abbeys and towns. We suggest no fewer than three nights in the area—if possible, avoid...
The Italian Riviera is the region of Liguria that hugs the coast and is an extension of the French Riviera; its southern end is about 50 mi/80 km west of Florence. It is dotted with mountains, villages, small and often secluded beaches (sandy to rocky), a wide range of hotels, entrancing scenery an...
Land of la dolce vita (the sweet life), Italy is one of the world's best-loved destinations, and no wonder—two-thirds of the world's historical artistic heritage is there. Tuscany alone possesses more artistic treasures than the whole of Spain, which is the second country in the world for cultur...
Overview Introduction The main sights of mountainous Itatiaia National Park—Brazil's first—include rock formations created by erosion (such as the Prateleiras, or "shelves," made up of giant rock slabs). The park encompasses waterfalls, alpine meadows and lowland jungle. Wildlife includes monkeys...
Overview Introduction The legendary home of Odysseus, the Ionian island of Ithaca, Greece, is a relaxing place. Located 165 mi/265 km northwest of Athens, it offers good snorkeling, pleasant small villages and scenic bays such as Vathy.
This oasis town is located in the black volcanic desert of northwestern Saudi Arabia, about 30 mi/48 km from the Jordanian border in an area known as Qurrayat al Milh. Ithra merits an hour-long visit if you are in the area. The town's main attraction is the two-story ruin of a Nabataean Palace, wh...
Ivalo (590 mi/950 km north of Helsinki) has the primary airport for the far northern part of the country, but there's little to see in the town itself. Instead, visit the nearby town of Inari to see the open-air museum, explore the Siida Sami cultural center and take a cruise on Lake Inari. Plan to ...
We think only the hardiest, most adventurous travelers should visit this national park. Located in the northwestern corner of the Yukon Territory, 590 mi/950 km north of Whitehorse, Ivvavik National Park was established to preserve the flora and fauna of the North Slope (the area that runs from the ...
The twin cities of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo (sometimes the two are referred to as Ixta-Zihua) are anything but identical. If your idea of vacation heaven is a round of golf on a lush, green course followed by a leisurely lunch of lobster bisque and champagne, Ixtapa (pronounced eeks-TAH-pa ) is calli...
Known as Smyrna until 1930, Izmir is one of Turkey's largest cities. It is the unofficial capital of the Turkish Aegean area and one of the area's oldest settlements. This busy port 210 mi/340 km southwest of Istanbul claims to be the birthplace of the Greek poet Homer, and it also has one of the...
Most people stop for an hour or so at Iznik, a pleasant lakeside town 60 mi/100 km southeast of Istanbul, when traveling from there to Bursa. Iznik (formerly known as Nicaea) was the site of the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church (in A.D. 325); it is also where the Nicene Creed, the ...
Overview Introduction The Pacific coast town of Iztapa, Guatemala, just east of Puerto San Jose and 68 mi/109 km south of Guatemala City, is a base for sportfishing trips. November-June, large sailfish, dorado, sharks and yellowfin tuna lure anglers looking to test their skills. Guatemala has law...