Travel Packages All Inclusive from our Advisors
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You will need a reliable, preferably four-wheel drive vehicle plus a sense of adventure to reach this rustic and isolated craft-producing hamlet 18 mi/29 km north of Cabo San Lucas, known throughout the region for its clay pottery, baskets and cane chairs. La Candelaria lies at the end of a poorly m...
La Ceiba, on Honduras' Caribbean coast 120 mi/195 km north of Tegucigalpa, has lots of discos, a large shopping center and some excellent beaches nearby. There's a good selection of accommodations, including several new beach resorts. The Hondurans have a saying: "Tegucigalpa (seat of government an...
Overview Introduction La Coruna is the second-largest city in the Spanish region of Galicia. It serves as a distribution point for the region, as it is located at the mouth of an estuary in a gulf on the Atlantic Ocean. The town offers a beautiful stretch of beaches and a charming town center wit...
Overlooking the sparkling Banderas Bay, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Mexico, a modest fishing village, has undergone a transformation while maintaining its traditions. The Marina Riviera Nayarit at La Cruz—with a capacity for 400 yachts up to 400 ft/125 m long—and the La Cruz Yacht Club offer a 2-mi/3-...
This 12-sq-mi/31-sq-km island of 2,000 people was once a prison and leper colony. Today you'll find a great beach and superlative seafood restaurants. Although La Desirade has little tourism development, it is a popular day-trip destination—there is regular air service from the airport on Grande-Ter...
La Digue, a small but spectacular granite island 35 mi/55 km northeast of Mahe, receives cruise-ship passengers, though most of the activity is near the dock and the one road leading from it to the old coconut plantation, a journey traversed by ox-pulled carts. The rest of the island is relaxed—if t...
A highlight for some visitors to Reunion is a visit to the active 8,630-ft/2,630-m volcano, La Fournaise. There are tours from St. Denis that get you there, but some go only as far as Nez de Boeuf , which offers a spectacular view of the area. You can continue on from there to make the somewhat ard...
The island of La Gomera, second smallest of the Canaries, hovers off the southwest coast of Tenerife. It has a laid-back lifestyle, balmy climate, fresh fish and unpolluted waters (though few beaches). Go to the island to appreciate its unspoiled natural beauty. Its capital, San Sebastian, whose br...
Overview Introduction La Goulette is the commercial and tourist port for Tunis. The port is located about 9 mi/14 km from Tunis and is also close to Carthage and Sidi Bou Said. La Goulette offers excellent local cuisine, but for other attractions it is better to leave this fishing town. Locati...
Overview Introduction Located in southern Bolivar state, 630 mi/1,020 km southeast of Caracas, this region of high savanna overlaps (and extends beyond) the 7.4 million acres/3 million hectares of Parque Nacional Canaima. The area offers magnificent vistas, dozens of rivers (many with beds of sem...
Natural beauty abounds in Colombia's La Guajira, located 380 mi/610 km north of Bogota and about a two-hour drive toward Venezuela from Santa Marta, and some of the country's most stark desert scenery is found there. Part of the Guajira desert is encompassed within Macuira National Park, to the extr...
Christopher Columbus founded the first European colony in the New World at La Isabela in 1493. About 115 mi/185 km northwest of Santo Domingo and consisting mostly of bare-bones ruins and a small museum, it's of interest mostly to devoted history buffs and archaeologists; excavations are continuing,...
Located about 30 minutes north of downtown San Diego, La Jolla (pronounced la HOY-yah ) draws surfers and sun-enthusiasts with its mansion-lined beaches . La Jolla claims Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) and actor Gregory Peck as famous former residents and boasts prestigious scientific research...
Situated some 25 mi/40 km southwest of San Salvador, the Pacific coast resort of La Libertad, El Salvador, offers some of the world's best surfing. Consequently, it is packed with city dwellers on weekends. A short distance west is Zunzal, where international surfing competitions are held. But the...
The La Mosquitia area along the northeastern coast of Honduras, 175 mi/280 km northeast of Tegucigalpa, is everybody's vision of jungle: heavily forested, swampy and remote, with few roads. It's the largest continuous rain forest in Central America. Isolated groups of tribespeople—the Miskito (for w...
Stunningly situated in a high mountain valley 13,000 ft/3,962 m above sea level, Bolivia's de facto capital and largest city is home to about 1.5 million Pacenos, as its residents are called. If you are flying in, we suggest spending a day adjusting to the altitude. Actually, you may need some time ...
La Paz, the capital of the state of Baja California Sur, lies near the southeastern tip of the peninsula, approximately 725 mi/1,165 km south of San Diego, California and north of the popular resort areas of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Although La Paz is a port city with only adequate be...
Overview Introduction An inland high plain, Palmistes is bisected by the major cross-country road in eastern Reunion. Footpaths lead to the Cascade Biberon (a beautiful waterfall) and to the Bebour Forest. The area also has multiple botanical paths from which to take in the spectacular assortment...
La Plata, Argentina—capital of Buenos Aires Province and 35 mi/55 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires—has one of the largest cathedrals in South America, a neo-Gothic gem with eight towers of different heights. Construction started at the end of the 19th century and took almost 50 years to comp...
Founded in 1591, La Rioja, Argentina, has beautiful colonial architecture (much of it rebuilt after an 1894 earthquake) and an awe-inspiring mountain in the background (La Mexicana, which rises 20,250 ft/6,175 m). Situated 610 mi/980 km northwest of Buenos Aires, it is the main town of Argentina's ...
Casa de Campo is what put La Romana, Dominican Republic, a sugar-mill town 50 mi/80 km east of Santo Domingo, on the tourism map. An internationally known resort that touts itself as the finest in the Caribbean, Casa de Campo is set in vast grounds (7,000 acres/2,800 hectares) and was partially desi...
On the quiet southeastern coast of Grenada, La Sagesse Nature Center was also the site of the first European settlement. You can explore a mangrove estuary, several woodland areas and three small beaches. There are marked trails and guided tours through the mangroves. The beaches are protected by co...
Along the Pan American Highway, 295 mi/475 km north of Santiago, La Serena, Chile, has become a beach resort popular with Chileans from Santiago and Argentines from the central Andean provinces. It is one of Chile's oldest cities, but its Spanish colonial-style architecture is misleading, as only a ...
La Tigra, the first national park in Honduras (it protects Tegucigalpa's water supply), is set in a tropical cloud forest 15 mi/25 km northwest of the capital. La Tigra makes a nice outing for city residents, but visitors will find more interesting parks elsewhere in the country. Although abundant ...
Overview Introduction Labadee is a 260-acre/105-hectare private beach resort that is leased by Royal Caribbean International. Location There are a variety of activities available on the peninsula, ranging from snorkeling to spas to snoozing on the beach. Labadee hosts the Dragon's Breath Flig...
Overview Introduction This capital (pop. 273,000) of the Fouta Djallon mountain region was an ancient stronghold of the Fulani. Though Labe (pronounced LAW-bay ) itself has little to recommend it, the drive north from Mamouto to Labe is really worth the effort—this is one case where the journey...
"The Labrador" or "the Mainland" is far colder and more isolated than the island portion of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. John James Audubon called it "the most extensive and dreariest wilderness I have ever beheld," but some find this strange area enchanting. We don't recommend Labra...
Anglers flock to the northern Lac La Ronge Provincial Park, 210 mi/340 km northeast of Saskatoon. The park's 850,900 acres/344,500 hectares of forest contain 100 lakes, including Lac La Ronge. The town of La Ronge is home to the Robertson Trading Co., which sells groceries, furs and northern crafts ...
Lacovia is the longest village in Jamaica, laid out for more than 5 mi/8 km on either side of the South Coast highway and the Black River, both of which divide the community into East and West Lacovia. The name Lacovia is derived from the Spanish name for mahogany— la caoba —the logging of which u...
Ladakh, India, is the name of the eastern two-thirds of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It's in a beautiful Himalayan range, characterized by a desolate, moonlike landscape and snowy peaks (it's inaccessible by road during winter). Ladakh is extremely dry—with rainfall levels as low as in the Sahara...
Lae, on the Bismarck Sea, is larger and more commercial than the better-known Madang. It merits a one-night stay to see the spectacular botanical gardens—allow several hours to see indigenous Papua New Guinea plants and the adjoining War Memorial Cemetery, final resting place of nearly 3,000 Allied ...
Located 80 mi/125 km south of Bangkok, Laem Chabang is Thailand's largest and busiest industrial port, handling millions of tons of cargo each year. Chances are good that anything coming or going from Thailand by sea, including a growing number of cruise ships, will pass through Laem Chabang. There...
Situated on the Vermilion River about 115 mi/185 km west of New Orleans, Lafayette, Louisiana, is the center and de facto capital of Cajun Country—the area settled by French Acadians in the 1700s. There are several sights of note in the immediate Lafayette area, and the town serves as a good base fo...
Overview Introduction This major oasis is one of the first reached by southbound travelers as they leave the coastal cities (it's located in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains). Plan on stopping one night to visit its beautiful garden, the El Attik Mosque and the main market, which was founded ...
Sleepy Laglio is not the prettiest town on Lake Como, but it's become a meeting place for the jetset. The culprit is Hollywood actor George Clooney, who bought Villa L'Oleandra (allegedly for US$10 million) in 2000. The walled villa dates from the 18th century and has about 25 rooms, its own jetty...
Lago de Yojoa, the largest natural lake in Honduras, sits directly along the San Pedro Sula-Tegucigalpa highway, 60 mi/97 km south of San Pedro Sula. The mountain- and forest-fringed Lago de Yojoa is approximately 10 mi/16 km long by 5 mi/8 km wide. Rustic cabins, hostels, large lake resorts and e...
The lowest point in the Caribbean at 144 ft/44 m below sea level, the super-saline Lago Enriquillo is the remains of a sea passage that millions of years ago split the isle of Hispaniola in half. It's an anomaly in many regards. Not least, it is home to the largest population of American crocodile...
Lagos, Nigeria, is the largest market city in West Africa and is certainly one of the most important cities on the continent—travelers who really want to get a complete picture of Africa should schedule a day or two there to simply drink in the chaos. On Nigeria's southern coast near the border wi...
Laguna Beach, California, is a picturesque seaside resort town 55 mi/90 km south of Los Angeles on the southwestern edge of Orange County with easy access to the beach. The streets are lined with art galleries, shops, bars and restaurants. You can spend the whole day in your swimsuit strolling aroun...
Overview Introduction This national park lies on the isthmus that connects the eastern and western portions of the island. Canvas-roofed motorboats (for up to nine passengers) take visitors through the maze of mangroves—home to oysters, starfish and exotic birds, including scarlet ibises. Visitor...
Ice meets sea at Laguna San Rafael, Chile, where icebergs calve off a crackling 2-mi-/3-km-wide glacier and bob around in the water. Reached by cruise ship or high-speed catamaran from Puerto Chacabuco, a modest ferry port that's the maritime gateway to the Aisen region, Laguna San Rafael gets fewer...
Before Lahaina became a thriving missionary and whaling village, it was the home of Hawaiian kings and queens. Today, this town on Maui Island hums with tourist activity. The main drag, Front Street, is lined with restaurants, art galleries and little shopping malls geared toward visitors. But th...
Every weekend, Tallinners travel 25 mi/40 km east of town to the beautiful Lahemaa National Park, with its pine forests, small villages, sand-dune beaches and rivers full of trout and salmon. The park's terraced limestone geology and glacier-sculpted landscape offer 14 lakes and many small waterfall...
This busy, polluted metropolis (pop. 6,040,000) was once the capital of the Mughal Empire. It has some of Pakistan's best sights, including the Tomb of Emperor Jahangir (with its beautiful surrounding gardens), the narrow streets of the Old Town, the Bara Dari Pavilion, the Shish Mahal (Palace of Mi...
Lahti, Finland, 65 m/105 km northeast of Helsinki, is best known for winter sports, especially its Olympic-size ski jump. (This is home to the annual Salppauselka ski meet, and there's a ski museum at the sports center.) It's also known for its radio towers, based on a hill outside of town. The hill...
The Laikipia plateau is a loosely defined sprawling region that covers some 3,670 sq mi/9,500 sq km north from Nanyuki near Mount Kenya to Kenya's northern frontier district. Wild, arid and sparsely populated, the plateau features acacia bushland and the upper basin of the Ewaso Ng'iro River. There,...
Overview Introduction This lake makes an interesting excursion from the capital. You should, however, expect to encounter some inconveniences along the way—a few parts of the drive are quite rough. Still, it's worth the effort to see the lunar landscape that surrounds the lake, plus the area's ri...
Overview Introduction At 510 ft/155 m below sea level, Lake Assal is Africa's lowest point and one of the lowest in the world. This practically waveless salt lake (about 6 mi/10 km across) has a moonscape setting along the Great Rift Valley. The area, an easy day trip from the capital, has gypsum...
We think Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, with its enchanting backdrop of three volcanoes, is one of the most beautiful lakes anywhere—well worth a two-night visit. In the morning, the lake (a caldera, or collapsed volcanic cone) is smooth; by noon, the water is choppy; and in the late afternoon, it can get...
Long, narrow Lake Balaton (45 mi/70 km by 5 mi/8 km) offers a variety of watersports, including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and paddle-boating, as well as topless sunbathing. But even those who don't revel in the water will find things to see and do. Lake Balaton is a great place to meet people f...
Situated alongside the road between Kabale town and Bwindi National Park, this pretty lake—whose name translates aptly as "Place of Little Birds"—is essentially a submerged valley dammed by a lava flow from one of the region's many volcanoes. With a shore and islands dotted with low-key camps and lo...
Beginning just 10 mi/16 km north of Burlington, the Lake Champlain Islands area encompasses a long peninsula that juts out into Lake Champlain, as well as the islands themselves. A visit to the Lake Champlain Islands makes for a peaceful and historic journey through some charming towns, including Gr...
Set on both the Calcasieu River (pronounced cal-cuh-shoo ) and the lake from which it takes its name, Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a deep-water port and industrial center in the southwestern corner of the state, 180 mi/290 km west of New Orleans. The industrial quality of the city tends to overshado...
This deep, narrow, glacier-fed lake stretches for 55 mi/90 km on the eastern slope of the Cascades. Few roads run near the lake. Most visitors drive to the town of Chelan at the lake's southeastern end. From there, passengers can take the Lady of the Lake II or Lady Express over to Stehekin. Pho...
A beautiful body of water in the panhandle region, Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, has become one of the state's most popular vacation areas. Visitors can bask in the sun at a resort or fish or go boating in the crystal blue waters. You could easily fill three days in the area, located 250 mi/400 km nort...
The poet Percy Bysshe Shelley was right: "This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty," he wrote in 1818. Beautiful Romanesque churches, splendid aristocratic villas with exuberant gardens, romantic medieval towns with steep cobbled lanes and spectacular viewing points, which offer an ever-ch...
Lake Constance (Bodensee), Germany's largest lake, is bordered by Switzerland and Austria. It's an old-fashioned resort area, with one of the warmest summer microclimates in the country. It's also a big fruit-growing region and a popular location for boating. There are several resort towns along the...
One of the most popular recreation areas in the region, Lake Cumberland is a lovely area that offers good fishing and a wide variety of water-based activities. Although it's a man-made lake, the countryside is so rugged and green that it reminded us of a Scottish loch. Those who want to get out on ...
Situated 60 mi/100 km west of Cleveland, the Lake Erie Islands lie directly offshore from Sandusky. They attract thousands of anglers each year (fishing for walleye), but the islands also offer hiking, boating, bicycling, swimming and other leisure activities in the summer, and dogsled racing, snowm...
Northwest of Verona is scenic Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake, offering Roman ruins and 12th-century castles. Although some of Lake Garda's towns are now a bit overbuilt (tourists pack the area in July and August), there are still some lovely little villages along its shores, including Malcesine ...
Lake Geneva, in the southeast part of Wisconsin about 40 mi/65 km southwest of Milwaukee, is a 5,000-acre/2,025-hectare lake—a perfect place for watersports. Elegant mansions can be viewed during a cruise on one of the boats of the Geneva Lake Cruise Line, which offers scheduled excursions and speci...
This relatively new town on the border with California (established in the mid-1960s) is home to—of all things—the London Bridge. It all came about when the bridge (then still in England) was put up for sale in 1967. The structure (built in 1831) was sinking and no longer able to support high volume...
Overview Introduction This turquoise lake with a mountain backdrop is one of the most popular and beautiful sights in the country. It's also the world's second-largest alpine lake (after Lake Titicaca). Issyk-Kul means "warm lake," and the name fits: Hot springs abound in and around the lake, whi...
Lake Kariba, created when a hydroelectric dam was built on the Zambezi River, offers a wide variety of islands, excellent wildlife viewing and big-game fishing. However, crocodiles, hippos and the parasite bilharzia make it a less-than-ideal venue for watersports. The Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is the ...
Overview Introduction This high mountain lake (5,400 ft/1,645 m above sea level) is surrounded by mountains, meadows and forest. You can hike along the shore, take a dip in the icy waters or go fishing. The Darkhat Valley to the west of the lake is a beautiful area with lakes, rivers and possib...
This lake, which lies southwest of Mendi in the Southern Highlands Province, is a good place to visit with traditional tribespeople and to see colorful birds of paradise (the birds, not the flowers). A road to a Chevron oil development continues to push its way through the jungle, connecting the rem...
Beautiful Lake Louise (in Banff National Park, near the southern terminus of the Icefields Parkway and 110 mi/175 km northwest of Calgary) is a stunning, turquoise-blue lake fed directly by the dramatic Victoria Glacier at one end. Be aware that ice may be covering Lake Louise through May and poss...
Overview Introduction At the southern tip of Lake Malawi, this national park encompasses the bulk of the Nankhumba Peninsula, all of the Cape Maclear Peninsula and several offshore islands. In addition to boating, visitors can enjoy bird-watching and animal viewing (baboon, hippos and monkeys pre...
Tanzania's small Lake Manyara National Park (123 sq mi/319 sq km) in the Great Rift Valley is famous for its tree-climbing lions (they go up in the acacia trees during the heat of the day) and thousands of pink flamingos. Thanks to the varied terrain (woodland, lakes, open grassland, and groundwater...
Overview Introduction This park, easily accessible at 155 mi/250 km from Kampala, has buffalo, hippos, zebra, impala and many other animals. The lake and its avian life will also appeal to bird-watchers. More than 350 species have been recorded there. Sometimes the comical-looking Ankole cattle w...
Overview Introduction This park on the northern shore of Lake Mutirikwi, a man-made lake and Zimbabwe's third-largest, is home to giraffes, impalas, warthogs, kudu and white rhinos, among other game (look for some of the world's largest lizards—up to 8 ft/3 m in length). The lake's dam, on the s...
After five minutes of swatting away the numerous midges (gnats) buzzing around your face, you'll understand how Iceland's Lake Myvatn (or "Midge") got its name. Located 175 mi/280 km northeast of Reykjavik, excellent fishing and relaxation are the main draws of this impressive lake, which is surroun...
Lake Naivasha, Kenya, located 50 mi/80 km northwest of Nairobi, is most commonly visited as an overnight stop by tours going from Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru. It's a shame, because there's a lot to see around the lake itself. The waters are loaded with hippos and birds, and you can go fishing. It's a ...
Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya's Rift Valley, located 100 mi/160 km northwest of Nairobi, is known for its flamingos, as well as its other birds (some 400 species have been documented). Hundreds of thousands of flamingos migrate among a handful of soda lakes in the area, including Lake Nakuru, s...
Located 345 mi/560 km northwest of Gaborone, Lake Ngami, Botswana, is a relic of the superlake that once covered much of northern Botswana. South of the Okavango Delta, the lake is completely dry—except when fed by water from the flooded delta. When David Livingstone first saw Lake Ngami in 1849, ...
Running for more than 347 mi/560 km along the Rift Valley Floor approximately 800 mi/1,300 km north of Maputo, Lake Niassa (also known as Lake Malawi) forms part of the border between Mozambique and the nation of Malawi, at the northwest extreme of Mozambique. The world's ninth largest freshwater ...
Also known as Lago de Cocibolca, or "the sweet sea," Lake Nicaragua is the largest lake in Central America—about 100 mi/60 km long and 50 mi/30 km wide—and the 21th largest freshwater lake in the world. The city of Granada is located on the lake's northwestern shore, and on the southeast it can be a...
If you're looking for quiet countryside, try this beautiful lake surrounded by high bluffs just 90 minutes from Minneapolis and St. Paul. You can just drive through the area if you want—there are plenty of overlooks for picnicking and lots of interesting byways—or you can spend some time boating or ...
If you're looking for countryside that large numbers of vacationers haven't yet discovered, try this beautiful stretch of the Mississippi River that's surrounded by high bluffs (it stretches southeast from Red Wing, Minnesota). You can just drive through the area if you want—there are plenty of over...
Formed by the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, Lake Powell begins in north-central Arizona and extends northeast into Utah. It and some surrounding areas make up the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, one of the prime houseboating destinations in the U.S. The waters are also popular for bas...
Overview Introduction More than 6,000 ft/1,900 m above sea level, Sevan is the largest lake in the Transcaucasian region. The lake's color seems to change throughout the day. The lake level was once much higher, but an irrigation/hydroelectric plan in Stalin's time significantly reduced the size....
If you want to get a look at some of Ontario's better natural vistas without getting too far away from civilization, this drive along Lake Superior should fit the bill. It skirts the lake's shoreline and then takes you for a tour of the green islands of Georgian Bay. We recommend the tour for travel...
Straddling the Nevada-California border and 320 mi/515 km northwest of Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe (12 mi/19 km wide and 22 mi/35 km long) is the highest alpine lake in the U.S. The surrounding area (usually referred to as "Tahoe") is a year-round resort destination with crystal clear lake water, spectac...
Bordering California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe (12 mi/19 km wide and 22 mi/35 km long) is the highest alpine lake in the U.S. The surrounding area (usually referred to simply as Tahoe) is a year-round resort destination with spectacularly beautiful mountain and lake scenery, camping, hiking, mountain c...
Lying 210 mi/340 km northwest of Addis Ababa, Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile. Bahir Dar, a thriving town set at an elevation of 6,000 ft/1,800 m, is the best base for visiting the region. The lake has dozens of small islands, many of which have ancient churches and monasteries. Some of the...
The world's longest and second-deepest freshwater body, Lake Tanganyika is also exceptionally beautiful, with its crystal clear waters hemmed in by the lush, green mountains of Tanzania's Rift Valley escarpment. Kigoma, the main lake port, is an attractive sleepy center that is the terminus of the...
This sacred lake of the Incas, the highest navigable major lake in the world, is a must-see. Its pristine waters change colors from dawn to dusk, depending on the clouds and the angle of the sun. Nestled between two mountains and the shore of Lake Titicaca is the quaint town of Copacabana, a popula...
Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, is a world unto itself—a definite must-see. It's located 560 mi/900 km southeast of Lima, on the Peru/Bolivia border, at an altitude of 12,500 ft/3,812 m. One way to see Titicaca is on the 12-hour train ride from Cuzco to Puno through the Andes, a trip t...
Lake Turkana, also referred to as the Jade Sea, lies in the very remote north of Kenya on the border with Ethiopia and 530 mi/849 km northwest of Nairobi. Only adventurous travelers get this far, as the terrain is inhospitable and hot with temperatures that can reach 122 F/ 50 C. But those who do ge...
Located 200 mi/320 km west of Nairobi, Lake Victoria is the world's second-largest lake and the main source of the Nile River. Perhaps because Kenya has such an abundance of natural beauty, it ranks fairly low as a tourist destination—the smaller lakes in the Rift Valley are generally more rewarding...
The source of the Nile and situated just south of Kampala, Lake Victoria is best seen in Uganda at Jinja. This is the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. There are nice beaches and properties on the shore, but swimming is not recommended, because of the presence of the flukes that cause bil...
Created by the damming of the Volta River in 1966 and lying 55 mi/90 km northeast of Accra, Lake Volta is one of the world's largest man-made lakes. Sometimes called "Volta Lake," it stretches more than 325 mi/525 km and offers fishing and cruises. The dam, near the village of Akosombo, was a monume...
This spectacular lake in east-central New Hampshire covers 72 sq mi/190 sq km and has more than 200 islands. We recommend taking one of the many sightseeing boats to view the scenery along the shoreline, the islands, and the magnificent backdrop of the White Mountains and Mount Washington. Be sure ...
Overview Introduction Lakehurst's claim to fame is the fact that the German dirigible Hindenburg burst into flames in the air minutes before it was to land there in May 1937. The charred remains of the Hindenburg are housed in the Lakehurst Historical Society on Center Street, and Hangar 1 at...
Overview Introduction This coastal town between Dili and Baucau is the birthplace of President Xanana Gusmao. It is known for a beautiful church, built in 1933.
Missing this town would be like going to Egypt and not seeing a pyramid. Lalibela's 11 Orthodox churches are some of the world's greatest architectural marvels, and the town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each church was carved out of a solid piece of red volcanic rock in the 110...
Overview Introduction Gabon's third-largest city, Lambarene (pop. 30,000) is on an island in the Ogooue River, which is almost 0.5 mi/1 km wide at this spot. The town is closely associated with Dr. Albert Schweitzer—it's where he lived, worked and died. (A philosopher who recognized the need for ...
Lambertville, 45 mi/70 km southwest of Newark, sits directly across the Delaware River from New Hope, Pennsylvania, an artists colony popular with visitors (it's crowded on weekends). Perhaps as a result, Lambertville has become New Jersey's prime locale for antiques shops and art galleries. The t...
One of our favorite spots in Kenya is the island and city of Lamu, 165 mi/265 km northeast of Mombasa. Lamu can be reached by boat from the airport on nearby Manda Island. First established in 1300, Lamu is the oldest Muslim settlement in East Africa, and still today seems to be living about 500 y...
Lanai is the smallest of Hawaii's main islands, just 18 mi/29 km long. Once a plantation island used almost exclusively to grow pineapples, Lanai was sold by its former owner, Castle & Cooke, the parent company of Dole Pineapple, and is currently almost completely owned by Larry Ellison, CEO of...
Downtown Lancaster has a burgeoning art scene, with more than 125 venues and a vibrant First Friday with live music and gallery-hopping. Other regional attractions include the Strasburg Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the estate of former U.S. President James Buchanan, more than 25 museums, and mus...
In southeastern Poland near the town of Rzeszow and about 105 mi/170 km east of Krakow, Lancut is worth a detour to see its beautiful baroque palace and its rare collection of period coaches, as well as the impressive Orchid House on the grounds. The palace also hosts an important music festival in ...
Overview Introduction This gorgeous area is a popular vacation spot that extends south from Kentucky into Tennessee. Encompassed by Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake, it has some 170,000 acres/69,000 hectares available for camping, bass fishing, and deer and turkey hunting. The state resort parks in...
The Land Between the Lakes recreation area in the northwestern part of Tennessee (on the border with Kentucky and 70 mi/113 km northwest of Nashville) is surrounded by Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. Within its 170,000 acres/69,000 hectares of rolling forest are opportunities for camping, boating, b...
Overview Introduction The southern tip of the Baja Peninsula is Land's End, the place where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez meet. Along the coast lie towering granite monoliths, including the most dramatic setting in Los Cabos—El Arco, a rock arch that has been carved by the waves. A boat...
Overview Introduction Almost on the Iowa border, tiny Lanesboro has spawned an active artists colony, with year-round playhouse performances, galleries, vintage shops and appealing bed-and-breakfasts. Located in the heart of Amish country, it also offers buggy tours. Self-guided tours along the R...
The once sleepy island group of Langkawi, 65 mi/105 km north of Penang, has been purposefully developed for tourism, which is both a blessing and a curse. Where once there were only modest hotels, the principal island now has a range of accommodations that includes exclusive resorts full of exotic a...
The charming small town of Langley, Washington, is an undiscovered gem providing visitors with a quirky and quintessential Northwest island experience. Located on Whitbey Island, the town is less than a mile/kilometer square. It takes a little more than an hour to reach from Seattle, including a f...
The site of L'Anse aux Meadows, at the very northern tip of the island of Newfoundland, was the first authenticated European settlement in North America—and it happened 500 years before the voyage of Christopher Columbus. Around AD 1000, Norse Vikings built at least eight sod-and-wood buildings th...
Lantau Island is Hong Kong's biggest island and home to the famed Tian Tan Buddha or Giant Buddha. The island's verdant landscape, with rolling mountains and deep valleys, is a stark contrast to Hong Kong Island's massive skyscrapers. And instead of muscling your way through bustling sidewalks and...
On the Yellow River 735 mi/1,200 km southwest of Beijing, Lanzhou, China, was a caravan stop as early as the second century BC. Today, Lanzhou is overcoming its notorious air pollution—you can now get a great view from the Baitashan (White Pagoda Mountain Park). While you're in town, visit the Wuq...
Travelers who have visited Asia previously and are looking for something new—or rather, are looking for Southeast Asia as it was 50 years ago—should add Laos to their vacation list. Unlike other Southeast Asian countries that have embarked on high-energy growth plans, Laos has remained low-key and ...
North of the Arctic Circle, Lapland is the home of the Sami people, who refer to the land as Sapmi. It's a forest-filled wilderness that accounts for almost one-fourth of Finland's territory, and it stretches across much of northern Norway, Sweden and western Russia. The region's complete quiet will...
The northern third of Sweden is Lapland, the region that begins about 500 mi/805 km north of Stockholm and is home to the indigenous Sami people. The Norrbottens Regional Museum in Lulea and the Silver Museum in Arjeplog have excellent displays about the life and history of the nomadic Samis. Rein...
Located in the eastern region of Karelia near the border with Russia, the small harborside town of Lappeenranta (140 mi/225 km northeast of Helsinki) was originally a trading center. It holds the remains of a late-18th-century Russian fortress. Worth a visit is the South Karelian Museum, which gives...
Overview Introduction Along the coast (Turkish Cyprus), 10 mi/16 km west of Kyrenia, this lovely village was both a Greek and Roman settlement. Near Lapta is a pleasant natural spring.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck the medieval walled city of L'Aquila, Italy, in April 2009, claiming more than 300 lives and causing severe damage to almost all of the buildings in the historical center of the town, which is the capital of the Abruzzo region. The area is still struggling to ...
Overview Introduction Larache, a somewhat quiet town on the Atlantic coast, blends an older Arab atmosphere with newer Spanish touches added in the first half of the 20th century. Apart from walking around the new and old parts of the city, you can pop in to the Archaeology Museum, with finds fro...
Located in the southeastern part of the state 40 mi/64 km west of Cheyenne, Laramie began as a railroad town similar to others in southern Wyoming. Laramie is now the third-largest city in Wyoming and home of the University of Wyoming, the nation's highest campus, at 7,220 ft/2,200 m above sea level...
This south Texas border town, 150 mi/240 km southwest of San Antonio and one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., is dominated by trucks carrying goods between Mexico and the U.S. It's rich in Hispanic culture: Spanish is spoken everywhere (shops, restaurants, schools), and citizens of Laredo ...
This port city on the southern coast of Greek Cyprus is the site of the island's main international airport. Larnaca offers a few interesting sightseeing attractions; however, most visitors arrive and then leave quickly. If you do find yourself in Larnaca, spend time on the beaches or tour the Ay...
Just 6 mi/10 km west of Larned, Kansas, off Highway 156, is the Fort Larned National Historic Site, which preserves a fort that was built in 1859 to protect travelers on the Santa Fe Trail. Its nine restored buildings make it the best-preserved Indian Wars military post on the Santa Fe Trail, and th...
Not far from White Sands Missile Range is Las Cruces, 200 mi/320 km south of Albuquerque, the largest city in southwest New Mexico, a leading agricultural center and home of New Mexico State University. The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum includes displays of live animals and demonstra...
Overview Introduction Las Palmas is the largest city in the Canary Islands, located on Gran Canaria Island amidst an abundance of soft-sand beaches. The city is clean and floral, with a perfect climate year-round. Location Cruise ships dock at the Santa Catarina terminal, which is across the ...
Panama's Las Perlas Islands, 45 mi/70 km south of Panama City in the Gulf of Panama, have some of the finest white-sand beaches in the country, while the offshore waters are a breeding habitat for various species of whales. Few of the islands in the chain are inhabited, and only three are developed ...
Las Vegas remains one of the most-visited destinations in the world, with gambling, shops, nightclubs, dayclubs, dining, shows and fabulous outdoor opportunities all available within a short drive. The resorts are full of lavish stage shows, big-name performers and restaurants by celebrity chefs. ...
Las Vegas started as a farming and ranching settlement in the 1840s after a dozen or so families petitioned Mexico for a land grant. It was up and running when Gen. Stephen Kearny declared New Mexico part of the U.S.—the announcement was made from a balcony in Las Vegas' Old Town. It became a raucou...
Overview Introduction Another town seriously damaged in Afghanistan's armed conflicts, Bost is the site of the ancient buildings, ramparts, arches and towers of what was once a capital of the Ghaznevid Empire. The Qalai Bost (arch) still has a human skeleton lying at its base. 350 mi/565 km sout...
Latakia, a seaside city northwest of Damascus and 140 mi/225 km southwest of Aleppo, rates a stop for those traveling along Syria's Mediterranean coast or for those traveling by ferry to Cyprus or by bus to Turkey. Though there's a small museum housing Ugarit pottery (labeled in Arabic), most visi...
Latvia is sandwiched like a middle child between outgoing Lithuania and more reserved but tech-savvy Estonia. And like a middle child, it has been forging its own distinctive style, in this case since it regained independence after the demise of the Soviet Union. There is a sense of buoyant energy i...
In the high Andes east of Arica, 1,365 mi/2,200 km north of Santiago, the lakes and steppes of Lauca National Park abound with flamingos, rheas (an ostrichlike bird), vicunas (wild relatives of the domestic llama) and some of Chile's most spectacular scenery. Because of the altitude—more than 14,400...
Overview Introduction Laucala Island is the largest privately owned island in the world, home to Laucala Island Resort. The resort is located on the north side of the island and covers approximately the same area as Denarau Island, but with only 25 private villas. The remainder of the island is d...
Overview Introduction Popular with Icelanders, the small resort and lakeside village of Laugarvatn, Iceland, 60 mi/95 km northeast of Reykjavik, is the ideal place to stay while visiting the geyser and Thingvellir National Park. Hekla Volcano periodically erupts, spreading ash across some of the ...
Located in a predominantly Welsh-speaking area, Laugharne (the name rhymes with barn ) is the last home and resting place of poet and playwright Dylan Thomas. His home, a former boathouse, is a wonderful museum. The poet's tattered old furniture is left as it was, and visitors are invited to list...
Before the mid-1960s, there was no Laughlin, only a bait shop sitting on the banks of the Colorado River 80 mi/130 km south of Las Vegas. But thanks to the efforts of the town's namesake—ambitious developer Don Laughlin—it has grown, first slowly, then very quickly. Today, it's a mini Las Vegas with...
Overview Introduction Devastated by a tsunami in 1946, this town is now home to a lovely oceanfront park as well as the Train Museum. The museum documents the century-long era when sugar production came to dominate the economy of Hilo and Hawaii's Hamakua Coast.
Located 65 mi/110 km southeast of Pittsburgh and encompassing five counties of southwestern Pennsylvania (in the Allegheny Mountains), the gorgeous region of Laurel Highlands offers great hiking, fishing, hunting, white-water rafting and skiing. And the mountain resorts in the area provide beautiful...
Lausanne, Switzerland, and its port city, Ouchy (pronounced ou-SHEE ), are on the northern bank of Lake Geneva, 35 mi/60 km northeast of Geneva. They can be seen either as a day trip from Geneva or (better) in a two-night stay. The older part of Lausanne, called the Cite, is fun to stroll; be sure ...
Overview Introduction The second largest city in Fiji, and the country's second port of entry, Lautoka lies on the arid, western side of Viti Levu island. Lautoka is in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane region, which gives the city its nickname—Sugar City. It is a remarkably clean city that maintain...
Lawrence, Kansas, founded in 1854 by abolitionists from Massachusetts, is remembered for its bloody involvement in the debate over slavery. At the historic Union Pacific Depot, now housing the visitor information center, visitors can watch a free film outlining Lawrence's founding and Quantrill's in...
Oklahoma's fourth-largest city, 90 mi/145 km southwest of Oklahoma City, Lawton was the last Oklahoma town to blossom overnight (6 August 1901). Within months of its creation, the town had 85 saloons. Today, it's the home of the Museum of the Great Plains (history, archaeology and anthropology, fr...
The name Le Diamant (The Diamond) refers to two places. One is a rocky island that rises out of the sea about 2 mi/3 km off the southwest coast of Martinique's main island. In the 1700s, the rock was fortified and used as a British military outpost, the HMS Diamond Rock . It is said that British sa...
Though Le Havre is usually thought of as a place to get on or off a ship, there is a bit more to this major seaport. It is situated at the mouth of the Seine River, on the English Channel in the upper Normandy region of the country. The town's name means the port in French, and its important di...
In the heart of the Var, Le Luc is a small village that harmoniously blends the past with a current, thriving economy. In the 20th century, Le Luc was a reputed spa town, and in earlier history it was a haven for Protestants in a predominantly Catholic country. The center of town is dominated by th...
Best known today for its 24-hour-long car race every June, Le Mans actually has much of historic interest. The longest Roman wall in France is there, as is an extensive and well-restored medieval quarter (it's especially nice around the cathedral). Racing aficionados should not miss the automobile m...
The highest incorporated city in the U.S. (10,188 ft/3,105 m), 80 mi/130 km southwest of Denver, Leadville is a silver-mining town that was the home of millionaires Horace and Baby Doe Tabor, as well as J.J. and (the "unsinkable") Molly Brown. Marshall Field and the Guggenheim family maintained resi...
This storybook town resembles the set of The Sound of Music . As authentic as it may look, this alpine village, nestled in a valley of the Cascade Mountains, has not always featured Bavarian-style architecture. Leavenworth was a typical 1800s railroad boomtown that began deteriorating in the 1920s ...
Leavenworth, Kansas, a town 29 mi/47 km northwest of Kansas City, may be most famous for Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. But it also has the historic 7,000-acre/2,835-hectare Fort Leavenworth military post, established in 1827 and the oldest continuously active fort west of the Appalachian Mountai...
Located 35 mi/60 km northwest of Gdynia, the resort of Leba (pronounced WAY-ba ), Poland, has tall, Sahara-like sand dunes and long, broad, pretty beaches. Much of the area is within the Slowinski National Park, where you can walk, bicycle or take a carriage. Several campgrounds (with wooden cabi...
Lebanon offers an array of scenic and historical sights. In the capital, Beirut, visitors return again and again to the Corniche, a wide shoreline promenade that's representative of Lebanon—full of charm and contradictions. It's a good spot to watch the spectacle of Beirutis of all faiths, factions ...
Nicknamed "the Florence of the south," Lecce, Italy, is a lively university town that boasts a thriving jazz scene and some of the best baroque architecture in the world. The last stop on the Trenitalia rail system in the Puglia region, Lecce is a gem among the other less-than-enticing cities of the...
The noisy industrial area between the Lago di Lecco and the smaller Lago di Garlate often deters visitors from visiting Lecco, which actually has quite a pretty city center. Located 19 mi/30 km from Como, Lecco has a lovely lake promenade, a medieval bridge (Ponte Vecchio) with 11 arches, a pedes...
Wedged into the southeastern corner of the Czech Republic, about 28 mi/45 km south of Brno, the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape is an extensive UNESCO-designated area surrounding the small Moravian towns of Lednice and Valtice. The cultural landscape unites the area's natural features and its a...
Although Leeds, England, isn't a traditional tourist stop, the city has benefited from significant renovation. Shoppers will be particularly interested in the Victorian arcades, which contain a variety of upscale shops, including the only Harvey Nichols outside of London. The vast exhibits in the Ro...
Overview Introduction This reserve, on the Lefini River, offers a wide variety of African wildlife viewing. It can be seen on a day trip from Brazzaville, but we think it's better to overnight in the area. You may want to take a tent, as the reserve lacks adequate accommodations. 150 mi/240 km n...
Overview Introduction This town in Greek Cyprus has long been known for its lace—even Leonardo da Vinci traveled there to buy some for the altar of the cathedral of Milan. Today, Lefkara's houses and cobbled streets have been restored, and you'll find small souvenir shops and restaurants. The han...
Lefkas Island is separated from mainland Greece by a narrow canal only 164 ft/50 m wide, making it one of the only Greek islands accessible by car. Lefkas is home to dazzling blue waters, rocky white cliffs and spectacular beaches, as well as charming towns and villages. Lefkas Town is the main ce...
The port city of Legaspi, Philippines, is located 200 mi/330 km south of Manila in the Bicol region. The Bicol region is known for its abaca. Lagaspi (also spelled Lagazpi) is famous for its almost perfectly shaped volcano, Mayon. The volcano is still active and erupting. Mayon's greatest eruption...
Leiden (pronounced LIE-den ) played an important part in both Dutch and U.S. history. For the Dutch, it is the proud city that withstood Spanish attack in 1574; for U.S. citizens, it is where the pilgrims lived before they ventured to Plymouth Rock. Today, Leiden is a colorful city with a number ...
Since around 1165, when the medieval township received its city charter and held its first trade fair—making it the oldest in the world—Leipzig has been one of Germany's most important commercial centers. Between 1949 and 1989, the Leipzig trade fair was an important meeting place for businessmen a...
The hilltop town of Leiria, Portugal, is crowned by an excellent 12th-century castle. The castle, however, looks better from a distance, where the cables and floodlights used to illuminate it at night are not visible. Leiria, located 45 mi/70 km south of Coimbra, is an industrial city, but it reme...
Located in the Matoshinhos district, Leixoes is the port for Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal. For those who wish to take public transportation into Porto, the Matosinhos metro station is a short walk from the port, and the city is only a 30-minute ride away. Other options are to take the...
Overview Introduction This area has several natural wonders, including the Ogooue waterfall and the caves at Nembe , Mbaka and Bihoua . Interesting tribal arts and crafts (masks, in particular) are produced in the area. See if you can find the bridge across the Ogooue River that's made entire...
Kosrae, an absolutely stunning island, has lush, rain-forested central mountains sloping down to white-sand beaches and mangrove forests. As gorgeous as it is, though, Kosrae is not for everyone. Although there are comfortable accommodations and a whole host of outdoor activities, everything moves a...
The name of Lencois Maranhenses National Park, a 960-sq-mi/1,550-sq-km area 2,310 mi/3,720 km northwest of Rio de Janeiro, refers to its enormous and snow-white sand dunes, which bear a striking resemblance to lencois (bed sheets). Amongst these monumental dunes, some of which rise up to 165 ft/50...
Overview Introduction Set in the Shire Valley along the border with Mozambique, this reserve (345 sq mi/887 sq km) is home to antelope, buffalo and leopard, as well as the rare Nyala antelope and Samango monkey. The park can be seen easily on a day trip from Blantyre. Lengwe's accommodations are ...
Lenox, Massachusetts, is the location of "The Mount," Edith Wharton's gracious estate. It was there that she wrote Ethan Frome and entertained such literary stars as Henry James. A long-term, US$35 million restoration of the house incorporated Wharton's ideas on design and gardens. The guides who ...
The little-known town of Lens, France, located about 137 mi/220 km north of Paris, became famous in late 2012 when the Louvre-Lens opened there as the sister to the Louvre, arguably the world's most famous art museum. The Louvre, known for being the home to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and the...
Located in northwestern Nicaragua, about 90 minutes northwest of the capital city, Managua, and just 12 mi/20 km from Pacific coast beaches, Leon, Nicaragua, was first established in 1524, though it was destroyed in an earthquake in 1610 and rebuilt in a different spot. To the north and east of Leon...
The industrial city of Leon, 240 mi/380 km northwest of Mexico City, is the largest in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. It has little of interest to most tourists, however. Shoe factories abound in Leon, and several specialized malls offer good prices on footwear (especially boots, which they expo...
Overview Introduction Even those who have no interest in ruins will be impressed by Leptis Magna, arguably the most impressive Roman site in North Africa. Overlooking the Mediterranean, Leptis Magna contains some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world (it has been designated a World Herit...
Les Eyzies is an important destination for those interested in paleontology and Cro-Magnon cave paintings. The first cave paintings were discovered by accident in 1940 in the nearby caves at Lascaux, about 85 mi/135 km east of Bordeaux. Unfortunately, exposure to multitudes of visitors caused an ala...
With mountains and hundreds of beautiful lakes, les Laurentides, also known as the Laurentians, begin 130 mi/210 km west of Quebec City. They offer superb fishing, golfing, wonderful fall foliage, cool summer nights and gorgeous mountain scenery. Visitors go to this region primarily to enjoy the F...
Overview Introduction The Seven Brothers, islands in the strait of Bab al-Mandab, is the top diving spot in Djibouti and well known amongst serious divers the world over for its abundant big fish, such as sharks and manta rays. Most visitors go aboard dive boats since it is too far for a day trip...
Once home of the legendary poet Sappho, the island of Lesbos, Greece (located 150 mi/240 km northeast of Athens), has been important in the region since 3000 BC. Today, its main attractions are spear fishing and a unique terrain, ranging from rolling fields to pine forests, mountains and (fairly emp...
Often dubbed the Kingdom in the Sky, the tiny independent country of Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa, but it has retained its own distinctive landscape and culture. The whole country lies above 3,300 ft/1,000 m—the only country in the world to do so—and the principle attraction is t...
On the Amazon River at the southern tip of Colombia, Leticia is the kind of landlocked city you might expect to find in the midst of the world's largest jungle, far from "civilization." Nonetheless, it's cleaner and has better facilities than most jungle settlements. Therefore, most visitors looking...
Leuven is the principal university town in Belgium—it's the home of the prestigious Catholic University of Leuven, founded in 1432. The city, 19 mi/31 km east of Brussels, has many fine old buildings, including the flamboyant stadhuis (town hall), which has the appearance of a gigantic reliquary. ...
Levera National Park, in an interior section of St. Patrick on the northeastern corner of Grenada, is known for its bird sanctuary, Arawak petroglyphs, a small freshwater lake, boiling hot springs and one of the island's largest mangrove swamps. There's also a great strip of white-sand beach that ...
A truly impressive Gothic town just 160 mi/260 km northeast of Bratislava, Levoca, Slovakia, played an important role in the Middle Ages as a crossroads for traders from Hungary, Poland and other European kingdoms. The money generated from that traffic built impressive city gates, ramparts, houses a...
Lewes (pronounced LEW-is ), situated on Delaware Bay just east of the Atlantic Ocean, 72 mi/115 km south of Wilmington, was the site of the first Dutch settlement in Delaware, established in 1631 (although it was soon after wiped out). A sedate escape from the masses at Rehoboth Beach, Lewes is kno...
An amiable little town with crafts and antiques shops 75 mi/120 km southeast of Charleston, Lewisburg falls mostly within a 236-acre/95-hectare National Register Historic District. A walking tour takes you past many of the sites in the district, including more than 60 buildings from the 1700s and 18...
Overview Introduction Every visitor to Kentucky should spend a few days in the Lexington area. It's in the heart of Bluegrass Country, the region where horse farms predominate, named in honor of the nutritious groundcover that's the staple of the Thoroughbreds. In addition to the farms, horses an...
Lexington, Massachusetts, about 10 mi/16 km northwest of Boston, bears witness to the war for U.S. independence. On 19 April 1775, Lexington was the site of the first skirmish of the Revolutionary War when British troops were dispatched to seize a supply of arms in Concord and were challenged by M...
This lovely town in the Shenandoah Valley is home to two famous schools: Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute. Washington and Lee dates from the 1740s and contains Lee Chapel, Robert E. Lee's final resting place. The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) is one of the nati...
Lexington Park, Maryland, is located near the Potomac River's Breton Bay in the south-central part of the state, 50 mi/80 km south of Baltimore. Lexington Park is the home of the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, part of the Air Warfare Center located there. St. Clement's Island (where ships landed i...
The capital of Leyte Island, Philippines, is Tacloban, which enjoys the distinction of being the birthplace of Imelda Marcos, the wife of president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos. A highlight of Leyte, especially for returning veterans, is Red Beach, where Gen. Douglas MacArthur stepped ashore in 1...
Overview Introduction This town holds the tomb of Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero, in the ruins of the Church of St. Nicholas. Replicas of his sword and helmet lie on an altar within the church (the originals are in Vienna, Austria). The building, protected by an ugly marble shelter, was r...
The Himalayan city of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, sits at an elevation of 12,000 ft/3,660 m. Lhasa is located 800 mi/1,300 km west of Chengdu, China, and 375 mi/600 km northeast of Kathmandu, Nepal. A good introduction to Lhasa is the Barkhor Bazaar, where you could spend hours just watching peopl...
Overview Introduction In Lhuntsi, in the northeast region, you'll find the Lhuntsi Dzong, jagged terrain and kishutara , a locally produced handwoven brocade. Not often visited because of its remote location, Lhuntsi is nevertheless well worth the effort. The Lhuntsi Tsechu festival is held Dece...
Liberia seems bent on destroying itself with a series of horrific internal conflicts. Just as the country appeared poised to begin recovery from a bloody civil war, gunfire broke out again in early 2002, spiraling it into yet another political and humanitarian crisis. Rebel attacks on and around the...
Even though this capital city on the Como River and the Atlantic coast is quite modern—skyscrapers rise above wide, tree-lined boulevards downtown—Libreville (pop. 800,000) still has a colonial feel. Visit the beautiful St. Marie Cathedral, which has wood carvings by local tribes, and St. Michel Chu...
If Libya's spectacular Roman ruins were located anywhere else in the world, they would be thronged with tourists. The impressive ancient monuments and cities—in equally impressive seaside locations—offer the timeless splendor and tranquility of the desert, and the warm climate. But for most trave...
It wouldn't be easy to find another stretch of land that offers such a cultural and natural variety as Liechtenstein. Yet this small country, squeezed between Austria and Switzerland, is better known to international bankers than tourists. The visitors who do go can enjoy the natural beauty and th...
Set in the eastern section of Wallonia, Liege (61 mi/98 km east of Brussels) is a grimy industrial town. That said, the city still has enough of interest to merit a two-night visit. Among its attractions are the market square (with its 17th-century Perron Fountain), the Palace of the Prince-Bishops ...
The beautiful lake of Lieksa, 300 mi/500 km northeast of Helsinki, is a wonderful place to explore in summer. See the very modern and impressive Lieksa Church. The town also offers skiing, white-water rafting, lake cruises, the Pielinen Open-Air Museum and hiking on Koli Hill (1,058 ft/347 m tall—gr...
Just 26 mi/42 km from the Italian border, Lienz, Austria, is a pretty town in the scenic alpine region of East Tirol. It's easily reachable by train to Salzburg (70 mi/110 km), and a short drive (16 mi/27 km) to the spectacular Hohe Tauern National Park. Once a center for trade in a region known fo...
Liepaja, Latvia's third-largest city and a longtime home of the Soviet Baltic Fleet, located 120 mi/195 km southwest of Riga, boasts an ice-free harbor. There are also many lakes and a nice, long seabeach with fine sand. Czar Peter the Great (called Peter the First in Latvia) lived there, and his ho...
Overview Introduction Administrative center of the Loyalty Islands, Lifou is a popular tourist destination, although you couldn't call it spoiled. Accommodations consist of one comfortable, though simple, hotel and several basic guesthouses. This is the largest raised atoll in the world—it's bigg...
Lighthouse Reef, the northernmost atoll off Belize, is composed of several coral isles, including Big Northern Caye, which has an airstrip and a dive lodge, Itza Resort. Nearby is the Blue Hole, the deepwater dive site that so impressed Jacques Cousteau. It's a collapsed cave that has unusual rock...
Lihue is the county seat of Kauai and the location of the island's major airport. The only regional shopping center is also there, along with the Kauai Museum, and the state and county government offices that issue camping and hiking permits.
A jewel in southern China 200 mi/320 km northwest of Kunming, Lijiang is set among snowcapped mountains that provide an enchanting backdrop to the ancient city. Lijiang has a daily market in its Old Town: Get there early in the morning to see the full variety of tribespeople that Yunnan province i...
Overview Introduction These sandy islands, covered in baobab and mango trees, are out-of-the-way places to relax and enjoy Lake Malawi. Likoma Island is home to an impressive Anglican cathedral built in 1903 to counter the witchcraft that missionaries found when they arrived there. Chizimulu Isla...
Overview Introduction A favorite beach of the old Niuean royalty, Liku offers excellent snorkeling and swimming conditions, though it's rather small. It's an especially nice spot for a picnic. 8 mi/13 km east of Alofi.
Lille is the heart of the Pays du Nord, the northeast corner of France, and 138 mi/223 km northeast of Paris. West of this region is Normandy; east is Belgium. Lille was once in Flanders (now part of Belgium), until the city was captured by Louis XIV in 1667 and made the capital of French Flanders...
Long nestled in happy obscurity 85 mi/135 km north of Oslo, Lillehammer, Norway, was host to the 1994 Winter Olympics. Visitors can see the ski runs—there are two Olympic downhill ski slopes and more than 200 mi/322 km of marked cross-country trails—skating rinks and the Olympic village. Lillehamm...
Lillesand, Norway, 220 mi/355 km southwest of Oslo, presents an opportunity to experience daily life in a traditional Norwegian coastal village. You may be surprised to find that, for some villagers, daily life includes a round of golf at nearby Randesund, where there's a challenging nine-hole cours...
Malawi's modern capital city of Lilongwe is in the center of the country. It is split into two main centers known as the New and Old Towns. The modern New Town is a collection of gleaming buildings with manicured lawns. The more chaotic Old Town couldn't be more different. The original village of ...
Lima, Peru, is a dynamic, vibrant city full of contrasts. Modern skyscrapers stand beside pre-Incan pyramids that cover entire city blocks. The City of Kings was formerly just a stopover en route to the tourist mecca of Cusco and the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, but visitors to Lima are now spendin...
Cyprus' second-largest city, Limassol's main attractions are the beautiful palm-lined seafront promenade park, Limassol Castle and its medieval museum, and the substantial yacht marina with upscale restaurants, cafes and designer shops. Other sights include the public gardens, a salt lake with gr...
Overview Introduction This ocean-side resort has wide, flat, black-sand beaches, botanical gardens and pleasant accommodations. Take a look at the old Limbe zoo, now a primate rescue center. In the evening, taste the barbecued mackerel and bass that are sold at stands along the road. The drive fr...
On the River Shannon 110 mi/175 km southwest of Dublin and 15 mi/25 km east of Shannon, the ancient city of Limerick, Ireland, merits at least a day's visit. For many visitors, it may be best known as the setting for writer Frank McCourt's searing memoir Angela's Ashes . Be sure to see King John'...
Overview Introduction The Limfjord is the body of water that rather unequally divides Denmark's Jutland into two, about 140 mi/225 km northwest of Copenhagen. The long coastline, with its cliffs, beaches and calm waters, is popular with bathers and friendly seals. It is also an excellent place to...
Famed throughout the world for its porcelain and enamel, Limoges, France, is a picturesque medieval city 120 mi/195 km northeast of Bordeaux, surrounded by green, rolling countryside. You can shop for porcelain and enamel in the shops along the Street of the Tanners. Visit the Town Museum and the ...
Once an important banana port on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, Puerto Limon is better known as a good jumping-off point for visitors headed to Cahuita and Tortuguero national parks, or the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge. The city is also sometimes called simply "Limon" by locals, althou...
The old part of Lincoln, situated on a low hill above the modern town, provides what most travelers are looking for in England—cobblestoned streets, old shops, a castle (which incorporates some ancient Roman walls—Newport Gate is the most interesting) and a spectacular three-tower cathedral dramatic...
Lincoln, Nebraska, is primarily known as the state's capital city and the home of the University of Nebraska's flagship campus, but the city—set in the southeast corner of the state—has numerous worthwhile attractions for visitors. If time is not an issue, there are several notable buildings, incl...
Lincoln, New Mexico, located 135 mi/215 km southeast of Albuquerque, owes its fame to Henry McCarty, better known as William Bonney and best known as Billy the Kid. It was in this frontier town in April 1881 that the Kid escaped from the Lincoln County Court House, killing two deputies. Today, more ...
The way to Guyana's second-largest city of Linden includes a trip up the East Bank main road past small villages—Eccles, Republic Park, Grove (a large sugar estate), Friendship, Supply, Pearl—and then on to the Soesdyke/Linden Highway (arguably the best road in Guyana), which then will carry you pas...
Linz, Austria, is set on the Danube River 95 mi/150 km west of Vienna, and this ancient industrial city is a nice place to spend the day. Some historic figures who spent time in Linz include Napoleon, medieval astronomer Johannes Kepler, and composers Beethoven, Bruckner and Mozart. The Scheissl br...
The 400-year-old farm of Lipica, Slovenia, is the home of the world-famous Lipizzan horses. The stables, opened by Austrian Archduke Karl in the 1580s, continue to breed some of the best horses in the world. Visit the stables and the riding school (which has pony rides for children), then tour the c...
The hodgepodge of historical periods and cultures represented in Lisbon, Portugal, is a major source of its charm and travel appeal. A sprawling city on the banks of the Tagus River, Lisbon constantly reminds travelers that Portugal has been conquered several times, that it developed (and lost) its...
Located in an area known for its beautiful hills, Litchfield, Connecticut, is a pristine village 35 mi/55 km from Hartford and one of the most elegant colonial centers in America. Litchfield was first settled in 1720, and you'll see many fine examples of colonial architecture, including the birthp...
Lithuania has done away with many of the drab remnants of its Soviet past, and it's been spiffing up the old buildings that represent its earlier history. In Vilnius, the capital, hundreds of grand old baroque buildings have been artfully renovated into well-appointed hotels, minimalls and cafes. Th...
This large, impressive battlefield, 55 mi/89 km southeast of Billings, memorializes one of the final armed efforts by Native Americans to preserve their land and way of life. On 25-26 June 1876, Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and 12 companies of the Seventh Cavalry were defeated by several thousan...
Overview Introduction Little Buffalo State Park is home to picnic areas, hiking trails, and a lake for fishing and boating. This historic park features a covered bridge; a restored, operating grist mill; and an old farmhouse built on the site of a colonial tavern. In winter, ice-skaters and cross...
Little Cayman, 70 mi/110 km northeast of Grand Cayman and reached by air from Grand Cayman or Cayman Brac, has good beaches, bird-watching in the winter, bonefishing and superior snorkeling and diving. There's little to do on the island besides diving and bird-watching, though—there is no town, a...
Overview Introduction This area in the southeast corner of the state is quiet, rural Rhode Island at its best, with rolling farmland and tremendous views of the ocean. It's a great place to go bicycling. At the center of the town of Little Compton is the Commons, a typical New England village gre...
Overview Introduction The playfully named Little Rann of Kutch, India, is a desert wildlife area where you'll see gazelles, blackbucks, wild asses (it's actually the last bastion of the Asiatic wild ass), a wide variety of birds and other animals. We suggest staying two nights. It's reached by fl...
Arkansas' capital city got a lot of attention in 1957 when federal troops were sent in to enforce a Supreme Court decision against segregation in public schools. Situated on 28 acres/11 hectares along the Arkansas River, the US$165-million William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park includes t...
Liverpool, England, an industrial town on the River Mersey about 180 mi/290 km northwest of London, was Britain's major port city in the days of the empire. It was also where more than 9 million emigrants departed on their voyage to the New World. Liverpool is full of character and is Britain's m...
A small coastal town on the Amatique Bay, Livingston is distinct from much of Guatemala because it's inhabited by Caribbean blacks known as Garifunas, who have their own culture and language. They also speak Spanish, and some Garifunas speak English as well, like the people of nearby Belize. In fact...
A stop in Livingston, Montana, 25 mi/40 km west of Bozeman, is a "must-do" for art-loving visitors to Yellowstone National Park. Livingston is just an hour's drive through gorgeous Paradise Valley from Yellowstone, and is home to more than a dozen art galleries, featuring works by exceptional West...
Located 220 mi/350 km southwest of Lusaka near the Zimbabwe border, Livingstone was named after the explorer David Livingstone. It is Zambia's oldest city. Most people go to Livingstone to see Victoria Falls (which is only about 6 mi/10 km from town), but Livingstone itself does have a few sites wo...
Overview Introduction This beautiful historical town is perched high on the Livingstonia Escarpment on the top of a road with 22 hairpin bends. The settlement resembles an English village and has a spectacular view of the lake and surrounding region. Livingstonia was settled by Scottish missionar...
Situated on the Tyrrhenian Coast, Livorno, Italy, is Tuscany's second largest city, next to Florence. In addition to offering some of the best seafood in the region, the city's pebbly beaches stretch south from the town's seafront, and there is a compact historic quarter. The old Porto Mediceo pa...
Overview Introduction Malawi's finest national park lies on the banks of the Shire River and Lake Malombe, just south of Lake Malawi. Hippopotamus, crocodiles and elephants are the most commonly sighted large animals, and black rhino, waterbuck, warthogs, bushbuck, baboon, kudu and sable are occa...
The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana is a growing city and home to many museums, galleries and shopping centers. But what mainly draws visitors to the city are its red-tiled roofs, curving cobblestoned streets and centuries-old buildings. Ljubljana (pronounced loo-blan-ah ) has its own distinctive ch...
Llandeilo, Wales, is one of two historic market towns along the scenic Towy Valley. Llandeilo, along with neighboring Carmarthen, is considered among the most Welsh of towns in southern Wales. The two towns don't have much in the way of tourist attractions, but either one makes a good base for exp...
Llangollen, 140 mi/225 km north of Cardiff, is nestled in a wooded vale of the same name. Adding to the rustic charm of this country town is a revived steam railway. Each July, the Llangollen hosts an international music and cultural festival, or eisteddfod. But year-round you can see the haunting...
At the eastern end of the Ezulwini Valley, 10 mi/15 km southeast of Mbabane, Lobamba is Swaziland's legislative capital and the royal residence. All the royal buildings, as well as State House, are closed to the public, but you can visit the Houses of Parliament and the National Museum for its displ...
Though it was once the seat of the dukes of Milan, the small city of Locarno has been part of the Swiss Confederation since 1516. Set on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore 145 mi/235 km south of Zurich, Italian-speaking Locarno has a lovely old town, a castle that may well have been partly designed...
Overview Introduction A cattle ranch until 1974, this park was kept free of carnivores and other large mammals. This means that you're not likely to see lions, leopards or hyenas, but don't let that put you off—Lochinvar is still a good park, with the added benefit that you can walk wherever you ...
Lodz, Poland, a large industrial city 75 mi/120 km southwest of Warsaw, is undergoing a revitalization—many of its older buildings (the opulent palaces of textile-mill magnates) have been restored, and many new business and residential complexes have been built. Stroll down Piotrkowska Street to s...
Loen, Norway, a beautiful glacial town 210 mi/340 km northwest of Oslo on the eastern point of the Nordfjord, is in a stunning area, and the scenery is even more spectacular when seen from above. The flight over Jostedalsbreen Glacier—the largest sheet of ice on the European continent—is spectacular...
If you're looking to retreat from the world, we can't think of a more hauntingly beautiful place than Norway's Lofoten Islands. These spectacular islands lie 600 mi/965 km from Oslo off the northern coast, near the stunning Trollfjord. Bird-watchers and anglers will think they've found paradise. The...
The valley of the Loire River—an important wine-producing area—has splendid chateaus, rolling countryside and charming villages. It's a great area to rent a bicycle and explore small country roads or travel by boat from village to village. Though it's often seen on a day trip from Paris, we recommen...
Much less developed than neighboring Bali, Lombok is also drier and without Bali's tropical beauty or cultural charm. This island can be reached by hydrofoil from Benoa, ferry from Padangbai and airplane from Denpasar, Surabaya or Singapore. Mataram, the island's capital and home to its only airport...
The highlights of this capital city (pop. 865,000) are its lovely colonial buildings and its palm-fringed golden-sand beaches (though we wouldn't swim in the water—the ocean is literally the toilet of the poorer Togolese). The city is also one of the most exciting nightlife centers in West Africa. R...
Lompoc, California, between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, is known for its stunning commercial flower fields. It is also home to Vandenberg Space Force Base. Tours of the base, including a walk through an underground missile silo, can be arranged through the 30th Space Wing Public Affairs offi...
If you're visiting London, England, for the first time, you may arrive expecting a European city that overflows with pomp and pageantry. Few visitors to London will fail to be impressed by the grandeur and craftsmanship of such monumental sights as Westminster Abbey or St. Paul's Cathedral, but tha...
This region of south-central Ontario, located midway between Toronto and Windsor, took great joy in modeling itself after England: London has its own Thames River, and nearby Stratford, namesake of Shakespeare's hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon, has its own internationally acclaimed theater festival ...
Londonderry, Northern Ireland, a very old seaport 65 mi/105 km northwest of Belfast, was founded in AD 546, and so it's been visited by many, many people touring Ireland. Now it's called Londonderry by the Protestants and Derry by the Catholics. You can walk around the top of the old city walls, a c...
Long Beach, California, is located at the north end of Orange County, just a short drive south from Los Angeles. This hospitable beach town is home to the Queen Mary , the former cruise liner that now serves as a permanently berthed museum and hotel. http://www.queenmary.com. Watch the trendy, h...
Extending east from New York City, this large island stretches out parallel to the Connecticut coast. Largely residential, Long Island also has plenty of vacation spots. Once you leave the urban bustle of New York, you head through densely populated suburbs, pass the grand manors of the Hamptons and...
Inhabited since the sixth century, Lop Buri, Thailand, has an 11th-century Hindu temple and excellent 12th-century Khmer architecture. One of the oldest cities in Thailand, Lop Buri was once an important part of the Khmer empire before later becoming Ayutthaya's second capital under the reign of Kin...
Located northeast of Sydney, 320 mi/515 km off the coast from Port Macquarie in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, Lord Howe Island is part of New South Wales, though it is partly administered locally. Lord Howe Island boasts the world's most southerly coral barrier reefs. It has als...
Although millions of Americans visit Mexico each year, Loreto, a small town of about 10,000 inhabitants, has never been one of the country's "it" destinations. Located almost midway between border town Tijuana and party spot Cabo San Lucas, Loreto fronts the Sea of Cortez. Its biggest claim to fam...
On the north coast, you'll find St. Barthelemy's first settlement, the picturesque village of Lorient. Visit the Eglise de Lorient, a church built of island-quarried stone that was hauled to the town by boat, where women cut it to size with files. Inside, conch shells serve as holy-water basins. W...
Los Alamos, 55 mi/90 km north of Albuquerque, is where Robert Oppenheimer convened the team of scientists that first developed and tested the atomic bomb. In the years since, the town has become the center of the nation's nuclear-arms program. Today, the Los Alamos National Laboratory maintains a ...
Los Alerces National Park is set in Argentina's Andes Mountains in remote Chubut Province, 910 mi/1,465 km southwest of Buenos Aires. The park is less touristy than the areas near Bariloche and includes a series of pristine lakes and streams that offer excellent fishing, hiking and other types of ou...
The nation's second most-populous city (after New York), Los Angeles is a great place to do business or take a vacation. Its marvelous restaurants, Hollywood history, terrific nightlife, expansive green spaces, bustling beaches, diverse ethnic populations, eclectic cultural offerings, amusement par...
Overview Introduction Aside from the Andes and the Gran Sabana, Venezuela's most notable physical feature is Los Llanos, a nearly 800-mi/1,609-km stretch of grassy plains that extends from the Orinoco River west to Colombia. Los Llanos constitutes almost a third of Venezuela's landmass and nurtur...
Los Olivos, California, is a small, charming and historic town located in the Santa Ynez Valley, about 10 minutes from Solvang and 128 mi/206 km northwest of Los Angeles. Named after the first ranch in the area, which had 5,000 olive trees, the town is now surrounded by expansive vineyards and horse...
Overview Introduction The interior of the eastern cape is unspoiled. Los Palos features cave paintings near Lautem. There are stone sarcophagi and animist shrines nearby. Two guesthouses offer bunks and shared baths.
Overview Introduction The isolated archipelago of Los Roques is one of Venezuela's 43 national parks, with some 250 coral reefs and more than 40 islands (some of them barely large enough for a beach towel). If you enjoy diving, snorkeling, fishing or sunning, Los Roques will likely strike you as ...
Los Yungas is a beautiful area of deep valleys separating the high Andes from the Amazon basin. This tropical region is where many African slaves found refuge after escaping the mining camps of Potosi (many of their descendants have remained in Los Yungas). The trip to Los Yungas from La Paz can be ...
Long, narrow Losinj Island is joined by a small bridge to neighboring Cres Island (the two are actually a single island divided by a narrow artificial channel). Take in the wonderfully scenic drive down the length of both islands to the old Hapsburg resort town of Mali Losinj and to medieval Veli Lo...
Overview Introduction This large waterfall is located along the Congo River between Brazzaville and Boko . Boko has a nice hotel and restaurant located near the falls. Another big waterfall is southeast of Boko, at Bela —bring camping equipment if you plan to stay overnight. 50 mi/80 km southw...
After falling to the British twice, the French fortress at Louisbourg, on Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island, was finally razed in 1760, but that doesn't keep soldiers from standing guard and maids from serving in lively taverns. No, they aren't ghosts, but costumed animators who help faithfully re-cr...
Overview Introduction Named for Louis Vaez de Torres, who first saw them in 1606, these islands are absolutely beautiful (we especially enjoyed the reef diving). Rarely visited, they are worth seeing if time permits. 375 mi/600 km east of Port Moresby .
Overview Introduction Louisiana is a state steeped in history and mystery—the plantations speak of a life built on the backs of slaves, and the cemeteries cite ravages of a fever everyone feared but no one understood. There's New Orleans, of course, one of the country's most distinctive cities an...
Louisville, Kentucky, is a charming old river town. Rich with Victorian architecture and a legendary reputation for horses, bourbon and bluegrass music, Louisville also cherishes its extensive city park system. Visitors who first learned of Louisville from their Louisville Slugger baseball bats ar...
Lourdes, France, gained its fame in 1858, when the young Bernadette Soubirous had a vision of the Virgin Mary near the grotto of Massabiel Rock. Since then, pilgrims (about 6 million annually from France and worldwide) have flocked to this town 85 mi/135 km southwest of Toulouse in hopes of a miracu...
The closest resort to Denver, Loveland Ski Area is a small family resort nestled in a cozy mountain valley, boasting some of the best terrain in the state. Two-thirds of the terrain is suitable for beginner and intermediate skiers. Much more relaxed than some of the mega-resorts, it has 77 trails sp...
Lovina is the collective name of a string of resort villages on Bali's northern coast, about 70 mi/120 km north of Denpasar. It offers decent black-sand beaches, good snorkeling offshore, and a variety of restaurants and accommodations. Lovina's noise and nightlife are concentrated in Kalibukbuk, wh...
This former mill town, the City of Spindles, located 35 mi/55 km northwest of Boston, was a pioneer in the U.S. industrial revolution. Lowell, Massachusetts, is now a thriving modern city with a lively arts scene centered on the Merrimack Repertory Theater, Lowell Memorial Auditorium and the Univers...
Overview Introduction When you visit this well-preserved 1830s fort, you'll find a store, a doctor's house, a men's dormitory and other structures all built from limestone. They're filled with authentic artifacts from the fur-trading days. The whole place comes alive thanks to costumed interprete...
Overview Introduction One of Zambia's newest parks, this is a great area for canoe trips. The river is wide and slow but full of wildlife, especially hippos. You'll also see Cape buffalo, elephants, lions, impala, waterbuck, crocodiles, zebra and plenty of birds, including fish eagles. The park i...
This coastal capital city on the Bay of Bengo has some nice parks and a few hotels, but very little in the way of restaurants or nightlife. What we found to be most interesting were its colorful mosaic sidewalks. Visit the military museum (in a fort) and the National Museum of Anthropology. But Lua...
Overview Introduction This sleepy town located in the mountainous north of Laos and 433 mi/700 km north of Vientiane is a good stopping-off point if you intend to continue on to Muang Sing or the border with China. Luang Namtha doesn't have a great deal to offer, but is pleasant enough and a good...
For travelers, historians and archaeologists alike, Luang Prabang is a most startling discovery: a jewel of a town slipped over a slender finger of land at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, 242 mi/390 km north of Vientiane. Circled by mountains, the beautiful town retains some of the...
Overview Introduction There's not much to see in Luba, the second-largest city on Bioko. Not far away, however, are some isolated, beautiful beaches (but take plenty of insect repellent to ward off the biting gnats). Luba is also a good base for drives into the interior and the mountains. If you ...
"Hub City," as Lubbock is known, gets different reactions from different people. Some find a strange beauty there, but some see it as the epitome of a drab town in a very flat place. One thing's for sure: It has produced an extraordinary number of rock and country musicians, and that's probably the ...
Overview Introduction Located in the midst of beautiful mountains, between Beni and Parc-Central Rwindi, Lubero lies in a rich agricultural area. There's not much to do but enjoy some of the country's nicest scenery. 150 mi/240 km north of Bukavu.
Located 95 mi/155 km southeast of Warsaw, Lublin, Poland, is an ancient city with an old town center dating from the Middle Ages. The atmosphere around the Rynek (marketplace) is especially intriguing. There you can visit the castle, the City History Museum at Krakow Gate, the cathedral and the Domi...
Overview Introduction Set in a somewhat arid area near the Zambia border (in the south), Lubumbashi is the complete opposite of Kinshasa. A relatively compact city with gardens, nicely kept homes and red-dirt roads, it's worth a night's visit just to experience the difference in climate and cultu...
A lovely and unspoiled walled city, Lucca once enjoyed a position of power in Italy second only to Florence. Today, it's famous as the birthplace of composer Giacomo Puccini, as well as for its silks and olive oil, and it has become a favorite spot for artists and writers. When in Lucca, do what t...
Overview Introduction Located in southern Slovakia 124 mi/200 km northeast of Bratislava, Lucenec is the trade and economic center of the region. It's also an old, historic city and home to world-renowned Bohemian crystal. In Lucenec, you can visit the Novohrad Museum, with its ethnographic displ...
Lucerne is one of central Switzerland's most charming medieval cities, located about 35 mi/55 km southwest of Zurich. The Old Town has many interesting sites, which you can easily see on foot. If time permits, go high up in the hills on the other side of the lake (opposite Lucerne) to Burgenstock, a...
Located in north-central India 260 mi/420 km southeast of Delhi and not far from the border with Nepal, Lucknow has gardens, parks and the beautiful Bara Imambara tomb (an enormous tomb of a Shiite holy man). Lucknow was the site of the Uprising of 1857 against the British. Although it was ultimat...
Lubeck, Germany, has been an important port and city of trade since the 1100s. The city lies only a short distance from the Baltic Sea and is connected to it by the Trave River. The circular medieval town center was partially destroyed during World War II, but reconstruction has been fairly extensi...
Lukang, situated on the western coast, was once an important port in Taiwan, starting with the Dutch in the 17th century. After the Dutch left, Lukang remained an important port until early in the 20th century when railroads, highways and harbor siltage reduced the city to an isolated relic. This i...
It's been said that Lugano has the "gaiety and romance of Italy, encased in a Swiss precision watch." The city's culture, language and food are Italian, yet its accommodations are spotlessly Swiss. It's situated on beautiful Lake Lugano, 145 mi/235 km south of Zurich, between Mount San Salvatore and...
Near Hamburg, Luneburg, Germany, is a Hanseatic League city that was prosperous in the Middle Ages—many fine old buildings and houses remain from the 14th and 15th centuries. Some of them have step-gable roofs and ornate facades. The most notable building is the Historic Town Hall with its Great Cou...
Luoyang, in the Henan province of China, is the site of China's first Buddhist monastery, the Baima (White Horse) Temple. It was built almost 2,000 years ago, though it's been reconstructed many times throughout its history. The temple has an illustrious history that is the stuff of legends, includi...
The main reason to visit Lusaka is to change planes or begin a trip to Livingstone or one of the game parks. The capital and largest city, Lusaka is not particularly attractive and has few sights to see: Plan to spend no more than a day there. The central city is compact. Built for colonial administ...
Resembling Europe in miniature, Luxembourg has a wine country, abbey towns, castles, river valleys and a cosmopolitan city, all packed into an area smaller than the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Full of charm and with a multilingual population, Luxembourg offers something for nearly every visitor, no ...
Beautiful Luxembourg, Luxembourg (sometimes known as Luxembourg Ville or Luxembourg City), was founded in AD 963. It is filled with museums, old churches, ruined fortresses and lovely parks. Much of the city is built on top of hills and cliffs overlooking the Alzette and Petrusse rivers and steep ra...
Luxor is the most important destination for any visitor to Egypt, particularly visitors interested in ancient Egypt. Many attractions—perhaps the biggest attractions—are not in the city itself, but across the Nile. The funerary complexes in the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens and the Tombs...
Founded by the Galician-Volynian Prince Danylo Halytsky in AD 1256 and named after his son Lev ("the lion"), Lviv, Ukraine, has, at different points in time, been part of the Austrian empire, Poland and the U.S.S.R. This multicultural past has added much to the city's charm. The resultant mix of Got...
For visitors, the pretty countryside around Lynchburg, Tennessee, in the south-central part of the state is famous for one thing more than any other: whiskey. Lynchburg's main stop is the Jack Daniel's Distillery. Tours of the distillery are offered daily, departing about every 15 minutes. The vis...
A charming, tucked-away college town, Lynchburg is probably best known as home to Jerry Falwell's Liberty University. Since it's also the home of Lynchburg College, Randolph Macon Woman's College and the nearby Sweet Briar College, the area enjoys a steady influx of young people. You won't find the...
The scenic English villages of Lynton and Lynmouth are located within Exmoor National Park, a 265-sq-mi/685-sq-km wilderness filled with deer, Exmoor ponies, moorland, heather and rushing streams flowing into the Bristol Channel. A water-driven cliff railway links the two villages and provides gorge...
Lyon as a travel destination in France is still relatively undiscovered—the stunning city center remains a hidden treasure. Although Lyon's vitality is perceptible in ancient streets with restored buildings, there are still many pockets where renewal has yet to penetrate. These backstreets and cour...
A list of travel tips and tricks for l.
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