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On the southern end of the central valley is Ma'alaea, a windy area of Maui and home to the Maui Ocean Center. There are plenty of restaurants and shops in the Ma'alaea Harbor Village and a number of residential condominiums nearby. Many boat and whale-watching cruises depart from the harbor.
The Greek Catholic village of Maaloula, nestled in the foothills of the Anti-Lebanon Range 30 mi/50 km northeast of Damascus, makes for a worthwhile excursion to see the multicolored cliffside houses. Be sure to see the fourth-century Mar Taqla (St. Tekla) Monastery, which has a chapel built into ...
Maastricht received attention when it became the birthplace of the European Union—the political agreement linking the continent's major countries was signed there. Linger a few minutes in the main square (Vrijthof) to soak up the city's cosmopolitan atmosphere. Afterward, stroll the cobblestoned str...
Although its population is primarily ethnic Chinese, Macau—because it was a Portuguese territory for so long—has a distinctly Mediterranean flavor: a languorous pace with balconied pastel buildings and open pracas , or squares. Over the years it has grown considerably to transform itself into a to...
Overview Introduction This forested park centers on Macaya Peak. We enjoyed a leisurely day touring it, but be aware that Macaya is very difficult to reach by road. Inquire in Port-au-Prince about the rental of four-wheel-drive vehicles, and don't visit during the rainy season (May-July). 120 mi...
Maceio, the capital of the Alagoas state of Brazil, has its name derived from an Indian word that refers to the spontaneous streams of water that come up from the soil and drain into the sea. The town's laid-back atmosphere has begun attracting Brazilian and international vacationers to its lovely b...
Overview Introduction Machala, Ecuador, lies in the banana-growing region on the coast 75 mi/120 km south of Guayaquil. This agricultural boomtown is usually just a stopover on the way to or from Peru, though banana enthusiasts should spend some time at the World Banana Festival the third week in...
At an elevation of 8,000 ft/2,450 m (much lower than nearby Cusco), Machu Picchu, Peru, has the most spectacular setting of any ruin in the world—even those who aren't normally excited by archaeology will be impressed. This Lost City of the Incas is a place everyone should see at least once. Unknow...
Visitors to Mackinac island in the Straits of Mackinac (pronounced MACK-in-naw ), between the Upper and Lower peninsulas about 285 mi/460 km north of Detroit, can step back in time. Autos may have made Michigan's fortune, but they're banned from this island—horse-drawn carriages, saddle horses, bi...
General Sherman spared Macon on his March to the Sea (Old Cannonball House was the only building in Macon to suffer any damage), and the result is a city full of fine architecture from centuries past. More than 50 sites in Macon are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city has de...
Overview Introduction Roughly halfway between Tasmania and the Antarctic continent, Macquarie Island has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the subantarctic region. Australia's Sir Douglas Mawson built a wireless radio relay base on the island when he first brought modern communicat...
The prime attractions of Madaba, Jordan—located on the King's Highway, 20 mi/30 km southwest of Amman—are its many sixth-century Byzantine mosaics. The most famous and most impressive of these mosaics is the enormous sixth-century map of Palestine and Egypt that is located in St. George's Greek Or...
Madagascar, the world's fourth-largest island, is full of oddities and rarities. If you're partial to lizards, for example, you're in luck: You'll find more than half the world's species of chameleons there. You'll also find more than some 70 species of lemur, a family of wide-eyed, long-tailed prim...
This town, located 375 mi/600 km northwest of Jeddah, is visited primarily for its ancient Nabataean rock tombs, which have links to the extensive ruins at Petra, in Jordan. Allow an hour to see the archaeological site, but spend a long day in the area so you can see some of the nearby attractions...
Madang is often called "the prettiest town in the Pacific." It has lovely harbor islands and a jagged coastline. Most visitors arrive in Madang either to begin or to end a cruise on the Sepik River or Milne Bay, but it's an interesting place in itself (with good tourist facilities). It isn't the bes...
Located 575 mi/925 km southwest of Portugal's mainland, in the Atlantic, Madeira Island is the largest island in the Archipelago of Madeira. Handsome and immaculate, Madeira has many historical sites but only a few fairly small beaches. The primary attractions are scenic nature walks along the le...
Madison, Indiana, has been recognized as one of the prettiest and best-preserved small towns in the Midwest. It boasts the largest historic district in Indiana with more than 133 blocks on the National Register of Historic Places. Time seems to have stood still in Madison, but the times have not. ...
Thanks to a gentleman's agreement between Gen. Sherman and a local politician, the city of Madison was not burned to the ground by Sherman's army. Most of the historic homes are on the main road (Highway 441) as you drive into town. In general, the homes are private and can't be toured, but their ...
If you love Shakespeare, you'll love Madison—it's the home of the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, one of the nation's best Shakespeare repertory theaters. The Playwright's Theater of New Jersey is in Madison, too, and in nearby Millburn , the Paper Mill Playhouse has staged plays and musicals in...
Madison, Wisconsin's, secret is out: Consistently ranked by national magazines as one of the best places to live in the U.S. And Madison's population is growing more than twice as fast as the rest of the state. Some of the new folks are drawn to the city's beautiful natural setting—an isthmus separ...
Madrid, Spain, strikes a balance between constant, almost chaotic motion and uncompromising leisure. Madrilenos, as Madrid's residents are called, seem always to be on the go, except when they're taking long breaks to eat, drink and enjoy life. The competing urges to move or sit for hours are cleve...
Nestled down near the southern tip of India 280 mi/320 km south of Chennai, the 2,500-year-old city of Madurai is famous for its Hindu and Tamil cultural attractions. A must-see is the impressive multitowered Sri Meenakshi Temple built in 1560. Actually, you can't possibly ignore it: The temple is...
Just 4.5 mi/7 km from the Thai-Burmese border, Mae Sot is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Thailand. Known as "Little Burma" for good reason, thousands of Burmese migrants cross the border each day to sell their textiles, food and teak in the lively central market (along with the interes...
Located off of Tanzania's south coast, Mafia Island is a sleepy backwater that's rarely visited and in some ways is reminiscent of what Zanzibar looked like decades ago before the onset of mass tourism. Kilondoni is the main town and a refreshingly simple place. The only road is flanked by classic S...
If you want to get away to a place most travelers won't ever see, these islands are for you. Sitting in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 440 mi/700 km east of Quebec City, the Magdalen Islands (also known as the Iles de la Madeleine) have green valleys, rolling dunes, white-sand beaches, red ...
Although predominantly an industrial city, Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt, has an interesting history and is worth a stopover if you're in the area. Visit Germany's oldest Gothic cathedral (begun in 1209), which is most famous for its early-Gothic sandstone sculptures of the Five Wise and...
Located 150 m/240 km southeast of Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar, India, is a hill station set at an altitude of 4,500 ft/1,375 m amongst the Western Ghats. Walks and drives through the terraced hills and green valleys offer relief from the busy life of cities. There are many marked places to view mountains,...
Mahabalipuram, an ancient seaport of India's medieval Pallava dynasty (circa 300-900), lies south of Chennai. The Pallavas left behind an astonishing heritage of Dravidian architecture in the form of huge monuments carved out of solid rock. The Shore Temple close to the beach is remarkable: a twin...
Picture a huge granite mountain—its colors ranging from pure white to pitch black—rising nearly straight up from the sea: That's Mahe. Dotted with palm and other green trees and surrounded by more than 60 white-sand beaches, Mahe is the largest, most populated island in the chain and the group's e...
Mahebourg, Mauritius, the country's first capital, is 30 mi/48 km southeast of Port Louis and the nearest town to the international airport. It is a pretty little seaport filled with fishing boats. It also has a naval and history museum housed in an impressive French-colonial mansion; displays inclu...
Overview Introduction Mainamati is a historic Buddhist site with attractions from the 7th-12th centuries. The draws include the Salban Vihara (a monastery) and Kotila Mura (another set of ruins with some wonderful Buddhist stupas, 3 mi/5 km north of Mainamati). Visit the museum near Salban Viha...
Most visitors to Maine are attracted by the sea, whether they're visiting as sailors or merely want to look at the water from someplace high and dry. Maine's jagged shoreline includes high cliffs pounded by rough waves, centuries-old houses overlooking calm harbors, forested islands and pretty light...
Set where the Rhine and the Main rivers meet, Mainz, Germany, is an interesting city and a good spot to try local wines. Other attractions there include the Gutenberg Museum, which tells the story of how its native son, Johannes Gutenberg, invented a form of printing with movable type. It also has a...
An ancient maritime trading post of the Maya empire, Majahual is now a cruise ship port replete with restaurants, bars, saltwater pools, a beach club, artisan and luxury shopping areas, and the resources to explore the surrounding jungle and coral reefs. A few miles/kilometers away, the villiage o...
Majuro, the nation's capital, is a very narrow, 60-mi-/95-km-long boomerang-shaped atoll in the southeastern corner of the chain. It is not overly tourist-oriented so it may not appeal to some travelers. Backpackers seem to like it better than most of the more expensive Micronesian islands. Dependin...
The barren landscape of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana attracts adventurous nature lovers. The salt pans, about 310 mi/500 km north of Gaborone, are among the largest in the world, covering 2,500 sq mi/6,500 sq km between Francistown and the Okavango Delta. Bird-watchers interested in unus...
Overview Introduction In the hilly northeastern portion of the country is Makokou, a major mining town (rich iron-ore deposits dot the area). There's not much for a visitor to do, except to enjoy the pretty countryside and perhaps visit a Pygmy village. 240 mi/385 km east of Libreville.
Overview Introduction Once called Mactaris, this town sits in the foothills of the Dorsale mountains south of Tunis and could be visited for scenery alone. Its museum has a good collection of Punic and Roman bronze and marble statues. You'll also find the remains of Numidian fortress walls and va...
Overview Introduction Maku is a small town in far-northwest Iran, near the border with Turkey and Mount Ararat. Set in a scenic narrow gorge, it is a pleasant place to stop if you're in the area. It's primarily seen when going overland to Turkey. 400 mi/645 km northeast of Tehran.
Overview Introduction Metamorphosing from a sleepy, remote and rugged stretch of hard-to-reach coast into a hip, rapidly evolving favorite of both the backpacking and monied crowds, Mal Pais, Costa Rica, along with contiguous Santa Teresa and Carmen beaches, is a hot destination, especially among...
Malabo, the nation's capital, on the northern end of Bioko, was first colonized by the Portuguese in 1494. It later fell into Spanish hands and then became a British naval station in the 19th century. After British interest in the area waned, the Spanish took over again until independence came in 19...
Long known primarily as a package holiday mecca, Malaga continues to give incoming passengers even more reason to stick around. The strategy of positioning itself as an urban cultural center, in contrast to its smaller, strictly sun-and-beach-resort neighbors, pays off. Of course, being the birth...
This island, the second largest in the Solomons, is most often seen on a full-day air tour from Guadalcanal. The two most visited areas are actually offshore: Alite Village and Laulasi Village are located on small man-made islands that sit on the reefs surrounding Malaita. The islands were built m...
Overview Introduction This island is rich in traditional culture—many people there live much the same way their ancestors did centuries ago. Ceremonial spears and masks are important to their everyday life. Near Sanwir you can hike to a long-unused site where cannibalism was practiced by the Bi...
Overview Introduction A visit to this interior city offers a welcome relief for visitors arriving from the hot desert area: Malange, at an elevation of 4,000 ft/1,220 m, is much cooler. But there isn't much to do there, aside from leaving the city to see the nearby Kalandula Waterfall. 220 mi/35...
Most people visit tiny Malawi on their way somewhere else. Squeezed between southern and eastern Africa, this poor, densely populated little country makes a convenient stopover for those en route from, say, Mozambique to Tanzania. Those who do make the stop may be surprised. For such a thin sliver...
Malaysia has fervently embraced modern technology—it boasts two of the world's tallest skyscrapers and a super multimedia/cyber corridor. But Malaysia still has some of the world's most remote rain forests (in Sabah and Sarawak); one of Southeast Asia's most vibrant old ports (George Town, Penang)...
The photogenic city of Malbork, Poland, 25 mi/40 km southeast of Gdansk and 150 mi/242 km northwest of Warsaw, is the home of the Castle of the Order of Teutonic Knights, a huge, well-preserved medieval fortress. The 13th-century Gothic structure (Europe's largest brick fortress) housed more than ...
A small town high in the Alpine (southeastern) part of the country, Malbun is relaxing, scenic and friendly. In winter it's a ski resort; in summer it's a center for hiking on the many mountain trails. The meadows are particularly beautiful in June and July when an impressive variety of flowers are ...
The Maldives is a great place to play Robinson Crusoe: You can stay on a tiny island that has a soft, sandy beach, a sparkling turquoise lagoon and only a single dwelling (although Crusoe only could have imagined the comfort of some of the better resort hotels). And if you plunge beneath the surface...
The capital of the Maldives sits on a 1-sq-mi/2-sq-km island—the whole place can be seen on foot in about an hour. Home to about one-third of the country's population, it's packed to the gills with buildings and people—in fact, it's so crowded that neighboring islands have been developed to take on ...
Overview Introduction The highest of several waterfalls in Lesotho, Maletsunyane is 70 mi/112 km southeast of Maseru, less than two hours by road. There is a lodge in nearby Semonkong village with both dorm beds and rooms with private baths. Malealea Lodge is a good base from which to hike and po...
Arriving in Mali can be quite a shock. As you step out of the air-conditioned cocoon of a modern jet at Bamako's airport, you may feel as though you've left modern Western civilization behind. If you look beyond the dusty infrastructure, you'll see the real Mali: distinctive mud dwellings inhabited ...
The pictureseque island town of Mali Losinj, Croatia, holds an annual spear-fishing tournament to celebrate the New Year. The competition includes awards for the sportsmen, and fresh fish for everyone. Mali Losinj is located 160 mi/257 km southwest of Zagreb.
Kenya is fortunate to have an abundance of protected coral reefs and beaches (250 mi/420 km worth). Malindi, 75 mi/120 km north of Mombasa on what's called the Coral Coast, provides a very nice introduction to the area. You can enjoy surfing, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing and other watersports there....
Situated 345 mi/555 km east of Madrid, Mallorca (pronounced my-YOR-ka ) is the largest and most popular of Spain's Balearic Islands, drawing visitors from the colder climes of Europe. It's the only member of the archipelago that enjoys, and caters to, year-round tourism. Its beaches, sunny weath...
Sweden's third-largest city, Malmo, is 325 mi/525 km southwest of Stockholm, at the nation's southern tip in the fertile Skane region. Thatch-roofed farmhouses dot the countryside around it, and summer visitors flock to Skane's white-sand beaches, especially on the eastern coast. Malmo is just acr...
Overview Introduction During World War II, this atoll was the easternmost Japanese base in the Pacific. Bombed and bypassed by the U.S. Navy, Maloelap still has numerous Japanese guns, intact pillboxes and wrecked Zeros, as well as a submerged wreck (the freighter Toroshima Maru ). You can reach...
Malolo Island is home to several resorts and two small Fijian villages. Resort offerings include high-end properties for adults only as well as those of families, as well as more moderate options. The island itself is largely undeveloped, and while there are trails linking the neighboring Malolo ...
Malpeque, Prince Edward Island, a small community 35 mi/56 km northwest of Charlottetown, features the Keir Memorial Museum, which displays artifacts and memorabilia from the 1800s in a former Presbyterian church. http://www.malpequebay.ca/keirmuseum.htm. If you want to spend some time on the beach...
Malta may not be big, and it may not have the breathtaking scenery of other Mediterranean destinations, but the lovely group of islands exudes the kind of quiet charm that attracts repeat visitors. Picture deep-blue bays with brightly painted fishing boats and medieval cities with honey-colored st...
Like Niagara Falls, Mammoth Cave is a classic U.S. travel attraction and remains one of the country's most popular. The first tours of the cave system were given in 1839, but Mammoth Cave didn't become a national park until 1941. Today, it's the longest discovered cave system in the world, with more...
The Mammoth Lakes area is notable because it gets an unusually large amount of snow compared to other peaks in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, which lies in the Inyo National Forest. This has made Mammoth Mountain one of the premier ski destinations on the West Coast. The ski area is buil...
Overview Introduction As with Korhoga, travel to Man is not advised. The town itself is in a beautiful region that is quite different from the rest of the country. It's surrounded by 18 mountains (including handsome Mount Toukoui, which rises to 3,900 ft/1,190 m). The area is known for its masks,...
Another of Zimbabwe's UNESCO World Heritage sites, Mana Pools National Park is probably Zimbabwe's most beautiful wilderness retreat and has an excellent and tranquil river frontage on the Zambezi. The name mana means "four" in Shona and this applies to the four large pools inland from the Zambezi...
Managua, Nicaragua, is the country's large, sprawling, low-built and chaotic capital, which never quite recovered from the devastating earthquake of 1972 (80% of its buildings were destroyed). Today, it is a low-rise town that sprawls over a huge area, with many sections in ruins or abandoned. Most ...
A stopover at the famed Manakamana Temple, 75 mi/125 km northwest of Kathmandu, is easy to include in a trip to either Pokhara or Royal Chitwan National Park. The temple, home to the goddess Bagwati and a major Hindu pilgrimage site, sits at an altitude of 4,200 ft/1,300 m. The temple itself may not...
Overview Introduction Perched on a mountain ridge just off the Sana'a-to-Hodeidah road, this town of steep, narrow streets has many stone forts and fortified stone houses. Use the town as a starting point for trekking trips to the nearby towns of Shibam and Kawkaban. 40 mi/65 km southwest of Sa...
The capital city of Bahrain, Manama contains the country's best hotels, nightlife, shopping and primary tourist attractions. The city spreads over the northeastern corner of the island. At the heart of the city is the Bab al Bahrain (Gateway to Bahrain), a complex of government buildings erected in ...
The tiny town of Manarola is administratively part of Riomaggiore, but it is a small village on its own. The current town center dates back to the 12th century. A series of colorful houses, in the typical Ligurian style, crowd the main street (Via Discovolo) and the surrounding tiny alleys, known as...
Overview Introduction Manas Game Sanctuary is a fascinating jungle reserve, but it is currently closed to visitors because of political insurgencies in the bordering Indian state of Assam. This internationally recognized sanctuary is home to the once-endangered golden langur (a monkey that is act...
Manassas, Virginia, is located near Alexandria and 95 mi/150 km north of Richmond. Manassas is best known for its historic Battlefield Park, site of two major battles of the Civil War (The First and Second Battles of Bull Run). Besides a stop at the Battlefield Park, a visit to Manassas isn't compl...
Manaus, the booming and somewhat chaotic capital of Amazonas state, is on the banks of the Rio Negro, close to where that river gradually dissolves into the Rio Solimoes section of the Amazon River and 2,939 mi/4,734 km northwest of Rio de Janeiro. The rubber boom between 1888 and 1912 made Manau...
New Hampshire's largest city, 15 mi/25 km south of Concord, Manchester was a major textile-mill town in the 1800s, like its namesake in England. The Amoskeag mills were once the world's leading cloth producers. The mills closed in 1936, but the handsome redbrick buildings along the river are again h...
Although its industrial history has left parts of Manchester, England, somewhat grimy and ugly, the "capital of the North" has evolved into a thriving hub thanks to recent redevelopment. It is located 30 mi/50 km east of Liverpool. One highlight is the Lowry Centre, home to galleries and eateries....
Manchester, a pretty town about 95 mi/155 km south of Burlington, has been a summer resort since the 19th century and becomes the cultural capital of Vermont in the summer, with world-class performing acts scheduled throughout the season. Manchester is also a retail capital—there are more than 50 ou...
Mandalay, Myanmar, the famous city of just more than a million people, has suffered from several major fires that destroyed many older buildings. However, Mandalay Hill is intact and still worth climbing via its 1,700 stairs. There are beautiful temples and shrines every 100 steps or so—you can also...
Overview Introduction This fascinating region of highlands and hills is best appreciated if it's explored slowly. A good base in the highlands is the city of Maroua , which has interesting weaving and leather tanning centers and a nice market (we found some good buys on leather goods). If you ha...
There's not a lot to do in Mandeville, Jamaica, but this pretty town 60 mi/95 km west of Kingston and some 2,000 ft/610 m up in the mountains offers relief from the heat of beach resorts. It's an important center for bauxite and alumina mining, which takes place outside town. Spend a day walking ar...
The Alu caves are a popular attraction in Mang City, formerly known as Luxi, in China's southwestern Yunnan province. Three main caves are joined by easy walking paths, and tours include a boat ride among the impressive formations within, which are lit by colorful hues and the reflections from shall...
Overview Introduction The second-largest island in the area after Rarotonga, Mangaia is home to Teruarere Cave (almost 2 mi/3 km long and full of gleaming white stalactites and stalagmites). There are excellent hiking possibilities on the island, including a climb up the central peak, Rangimotia ...
Overview Introduction This town at the end of Pago Bay is home to the University of Guam. Spend some time walking around the campus and you'll meet students from throughout Micronesia. The Micronesia Area Research Center, a well-regarded library of material on the entire region, is on the campus....
Overview Introduction This suburb of Pyongyang is usually seen as a half-day trip from the capital. It's the birthplace of Kim Il Sung, and you can visit the refurbished thatched cottage where he was born (be prepared for a torrent of praise for the Great Leader and his humble beginnings). There ...
One of the atolls that make up the Tuamotu island chain, located 320 mi/510 km northeast of Papeete, Manihi exhibits the usual atoll traits. The land is a thin strip of coral that barely rises above the water and forms a ring around its very large lagoon. The emphasis is on water and sky and—as far...
Overview Introduction Pearl divers make their home on this isolated atoll in the northern Cook Islands. In fact, Manihiki is one of the world's main sources of black pearls. The island now has an airstrip and twice-weekly service from Rarotonga. 750 mi/1,200 km north of Rarotonga.
Manila, Philippines, is a city of contradictions. Residents often complain about the pollution, garbage and lack of adequate infrastructure, but many choose to live in the city for its upbeat tempo and laid-back atmosphere. The sight of beggars confirms the country's economic struggles, but a few m...
When Europeans pushed into the land that's now Manitoba in the late 1600s, they went for the wildlife. Or more accurately, they went for the wildlife's fur. Today, the province's rich supply of furry and fishy creatures—and the unspoiled wilderness in which they live—still draws travelers. One anima...
The Manitou Springs area, near Pikes Peak, offers a number of attractions. Garden of the Gods is made up of unusual red sandstone rocks that have been tilted and sculpted into fascinating shapes. Cave of the Winds is an underground cavern in the tradition of the classic (that is, somewhat touristy...
A lovely city high atop a ridge in the Cordillera Central, Manizales, Colombia, lies 157 mi/254 km south of Medellin. The city is one of Colombia's most attractive and least threatening urban centers, and is the most convenient access point for exploring the Zona Cafetera and the Parque de los Nevad...
These smaller islands are situated in the straits between the main islands of Upolu and Savai'i. Manono Island has beautiful clear water and is a great place to lie on the beach, swim or fish. The absence of hotels, dogs, shops and cars makes this island a good place to relax for the day. Manono can...
If you happen to be driving along the central Pacific coast 80 mi/130 km northwest of Guayaquil, a stop in Manta, Ecuador, offers a pleasant few hours. A busy harbor town, Manta offers the Banco Central Museum (ancient Amerindian artifacts), an artisan market in Plaza Civica, an old wooden church ...
If you have the time, the money and a true love of the rain forest, the journey into Manu National Park (located 100 mi/160 km northeast of Cusco) is a must—in our opinion, it's the most worthwhile jungle adventure in all of South America. It covers an area of more than 6,600 sq mi/10,620 sq km, mak...
The Manu'a Islands (Ta'u, Olosega and Ofu) are much less developed than the main island of Tutuila. Ta'u is the ancient headquarters of the Samoans and the place where Margaret Mead did much of her research in the 1920s. Olosega and Ofu , two islands connected by a causeway, offer spellbinding ...
One of the most popular parks in Costa Rica, located 30 mi/48 km south of San Jose, Manuel Antonio National Park has become the focus of the debate that concerns Costa Rica as a whole. It was intended to preserve nature, but its popularity threatens the environment that visitors go to see. Respond...
A small town in the wooded west-central part of the state, 215 mi/345 km northwest of New Orleans, Many is the nearest town to the restored Fort Jesup State Historic Site (6 mi/10 km east)—the fort was established by Zachary Taylor in the mid-1800s. Also nearby is Hodges Gardens (about 20 mi/35 km...
On the Pacific coast, halfway between the U.S. and Guatemala, Manzanillo, Mexico, is a prime resort destination. It can be unbearably hot in the summer, however, and is popular with Mexicans and spring-breakers from the U.S. and Canada; it's packed on weekends and holidays. The area encompasses t...
Overview Introduction The sprawling and untidy town of Manzini and the adjoining industrial area of Matsapha, 20 mi/30 km southeast of Mbabane, are between them home to the largest urban population in Swaziland. Because of their central position, nearly all roads lead there, but they have the dub...
Overview Introduction This beautiful monastery has a spectacular setting. The monastery, which was built in the 1800s, was badly damaged in the Stalinist antireligious fervor of the 1930s. Today, the damage is being repaired, and the monks are very friendly to foreign visitors. The monastery is u...
Mapungubwe National Park, South Africa's newest, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003, is dominated by Mapungubwe Hill, which lies on the border with Zimbabwe north of Muaina. Massive stone ruins, occupied from approximately AD 950-1300, are the precursor of the legendary ruins of Great...
Previously known as Lourenco Marques, Maputo, Mozambique's economic, political and cultural capital, was hit hard by the war. Although no fighting occurred there, the city was overwhelmed by neglect. Before the war, Maputo had graceful, tree-lined streets, cafes, a good variety of restaurants, vibra...
Accessible by 4x4 only, this 400-sq-mi/1,040-sq-km reserve lies 49 mi/79km south of Maputo and protects an estimated population of around 650 elephant and an incredible variety of birds. Much of its other wildlife, including a population of 65 white rhinos translocated from Hluhluwe-Imfolozi in Sout...
The city of Mar del Plata, Argentina, lies on the South Atlantic 250 mi/400 km south of Buenos Aires. It's not a pretty town and is certainly no Rio, and the beach is only average—but it has its own vibe and is something of a nostalgia icon for middle-class Argentines. Wide, sandy beaches stretch 15...
Situated on the northwest shores of Lake Maracaibo about 435 mi/705 km west of Caracas, Venezuela's second-largest city is also the country's oil center. You'll see a veritable forest of oil derricks along the east side of the lake. Maracaibo is the only major city in Venezuela where you can observ...
Also known as the "Garden City," Maracay has many attractions that were erected during the dictatorship (1908-35) of Gen. Juan Vicente Gomez, who lived in the city and made it the virtual capital of Venezuela during his rule. His architectural legacy is concentrated on and around Avenida Bolivar in ...
Overview Introduction This town of 189,000 is the customary overnight stop when traveling between Niamey and Zinder. Maradi's location in the center of the country and near the Nigerian border brings interesting people and commodities to its marketplace. It has a lively nightlife, and you can fin...
Overview Introduction This national park near Lake Kossou has big game, including hippos, elephants, antelope and buffalo. Go only if you have lots of time and are in the area—other parks (especially Comoe) are more interesting. 170 mi/275 km northwest of Abidjan.
Overview Introduction Marangu is a busy little village 17 mi/27 km east of Moshi that most people visit to climb the Marangu Route up the mountain—the entrance to the Kilimanjaro National Park is 3 mi/5 km beyond the village. Marangu is also an excellent base for gentler walks, bird-watching and ...
Marathon, Greece, located 26 mi/42 km northeast of Athens, makes an absorbing half-day trip—it's the battleground where the Greeks defeated a much larger Persian army. It was also the starting point for the original long-distance run: The story is that a runner raced off to Athens to proclaim victor...
Marbella is the premier resort town on the Costa del Sol, and perhaps in all of Spain. The exclusive prime real estate of the Golden Mile, the fashionable Puerto Banus marina and the sprawling developments of condos and golf courses in the Nueva Andalucia area are the basis for its bling-bling bran...
The North Shore town of Marblehead, Massachusetts, near Salem, has an Old Town section with Federal-style sea captains' homes and charming cottages. The views of Marblehead Harbor from Crocker Park are exquisite New England panoramas. Stop at Abbot Hall to see one version of Archibald Willard's fam...
Marco Island, Florida, a relatively undiscovered resort island 150 mi/240 km south of Tampa, offers a good alternative to some of the state's more crowded beaches. Only 4 mi/6 km wide by 6 mi/10 km long, it's one destination that you don't want to tell too many people about. There may not be a who...
Italian radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi established several wireless stations along the east coast of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, at the turn of the 20th century. The Marconi Trail, named in tribute to him, follows the coastline through many historic towns and villages and veers around the tops...
The hillside town of Mardin, Turkey, 625 mi/1,005 km southeast of Ankara and overlooking a plain that extends into Syria, is both picturesque and historically and culturally rich. A variety of churches and monasteries testify to its importance as a center of Syriac Christianity. The carvings on th...
This small ranching town 335 mi/540 km west of San Antonio in west Texas is probably best-known for the Marfa Lights—fuzzy, glowing orbs that are visible off of Highway 90 at night. A special parking area has been built to accommodate the onlookers. Scientists aren't certain what causes the lights...
Giant pearls once lured adventurers to Margarita Island. Today, the pearls are mostly gone, and it's the dazzling sunsets, duty-free shops and powdery beaches that attract the crowds. This Caribbean isle (23 mi/38 km off the northeast coast of Venezuela) is a mecca for funseekers from mainland Venez...
Overview Introduction Compared with its neighbor Ferghana, Marghilan is an older, more traditional Uzbek town. It has the largest and most famous silk factory in the country (tours are offered). The bazaar is also an interesting sight. This is a great place to buy silk carpets, and interested vis...
Serious fans of archaeology will be interested in Mari, an isolated town 140 mi/225 km northeast of Palmyra and near Syria's border with Iraq. A Mesopotamian palace and temples from the Bronze Age were discovered there and excavated in 1933. The various finds, including archives, were instrumental i...
A famous spa region in Bohemia, 75 mi/120 km west of Prague and near the Czech Republic's border with Germany, Marianske Lazne is not as pretty or as large a town as Karlovy Vary. The spa hotels and adjacent park, however, are magnificent. At the turn of the 20th century, the resort was a playgrou...
Overview Introduction Marib is really two cities. The old town was the Queen of Sheba's capital, according to legend, and remained the chief city of the region for nearly a millennium. More than 2,900 years after the Queen's reign ended, Marib has become an oil-boom town. Its highlight for most v...
Often overlooked, Maribor, Slovenia, is the country's second-largest city and a center of the wine industry. Located 50 mi/75 km northeast of Ljubljana, Maribor merits a stop if you're on your way to or from Vienna or visiting skiing resorts in the region, such as Pohorje. Also a university town, Ma...
Marie-Galante is a popular day trip from Grande-Terre—regularly scheduled ferry and air service is available. It's different enough from the main islands in the archipelago, though, that it's worth an overnight stay. Marie-Galant is agricultural and rural, with a charm unspoiled by mass tourism. Mos...
The autonomous Finnish Aaland Islands are made up of more than 6,500 islands and are a demilitarized region. Mariehamn is the capital of the islands, representing an interesting blend of Finnish, Swedish and Russian culture. The islands have popular beaches, a mild climate and more hours of sunlig...
A tiny fishing village not that long ago, Marigot, St. Martin, has gracefully grown more commercial. Streets are narrow, charming and lined with wooden houses trimmed with gingerbread fretwork and wrought-iron balconies; a few are still residences, but most have been transformed into restaurants and...
Ever wonder what happened to all the hippies who were in Haight-Ashbury in 1968 but had disappeared by 1970? Some of them—including many of the rock bands—moved to Marin County. A lot of other people moved there, too, and for good reason: Marin is right across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francis...
Marina Cay, British Virgin Islands, is located off the northeast coast of Tortola's Beef Island and west of The Dogs. The 8-acre/3-hectare island is outlined by coral and offers a small beach and moorings. The ferry service at Trellis Bay on Beef Island, Tortola, makes for easy accessibility to th...
One of the most developed Aegean resorts, Marmaris is mostly noted for its yacht harbors and the jet-setters they bring in. Its 6-mi/10-km coast, 310 mi/500 km south of Istanbul, is solid with fancy, high-rise hotels, and the local bazaar caters to day-trippers coming over from Rhodes. In terms of h...
Colombia is famous for its gold, and Marmato is where a lot of it is found. Marmato is a small mining town that lies south of Medellin, above the Cauca River Valley and the Pan American Highway. If you're traveling by road between Medellin, Manizales or Cali, stop there for crafts, photographs and a...
A glance at a globe or world map will show you that French Polynesia's Marquesas Islands are a long way from Tahiti and the other Society Islands—and a long way from anywhere else, for that matter. They lie about 875 mi/1,400 km northeast of Papeete. They are closer to the Equator, which makes the w...
Marrakech is the most popular destination in Morocco. The setting is stunning, with ocher stucco buildings on a dry, rocky plain and the snow-peaked Atlas Mountains as a backdrop (though they're not always visible). Much of the medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is surrounded by beautifully re...
Overview Introduction This oasis in the northern Kenya desert, 250 mi/400 km northeast of Nairobi, is shaded by a forested mountain and offers a view of crater lakes, including the appropriately named Lake Paradise. You'll see herds of elephants and greater kudu, lots of birds and leopards (if yo...
Overview Introduction The picturesque village of Marsaxlokk, Malta, 5 mi/7 km southeast of Valletta, will appeal to history buffs—it was the landing site for the Ottoman and Napoleonic invasions of Malta. Today, the harbor boasts a large and colorful fleet of luzzu , the Maltese fishing boats. T...
Marseille, France, is an ancient city that never ceases to arouse passions. This colorful Mediterranean port has seen the arrival of Greek settlers, Roman conquerors, swashbuckling sailors, religious crusaders, tourists looking for sunny skies and immigrants looking for a home in France's melting p...
The Marshall Islands are one of four atoll nations in the world, the others being The Seychelles, The Maldives and nearby Kiribati. Tourism is still slow to develop in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, but it is making progress. The atolls all have white-sand beaches and azure lagoons with deep ...
The island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, nearly 7 mi/11 km from the New England coast, is covered with windswept moors, dense forests, dramatic coastal cliffs and soft sandy beaches. Though relatively small, Martha's Vineyard is made up of six distinctly different towns, each with its own ...
If you listen carefully to the Creole language that's spoken on Martinique, you'll be able to hear what this island is all about: It's partly French and it's partly something different. Like France, Martinique has stylish food, stylish clothing and great pride in all things French. But it's also...
Mary (pop. 95,000) is an oasis and cotton-growing center on the Murghab River. According to tradition, the region around Mary was the original Paradise, though it hardly resembles paradise today. The main (and perhaps only) reason to go to Mary is to see the nearby ruins of ancient Merv . The archa...
Commanding a spectacular view of the Columbia River Gorge and fruit orchards, this town is noted primarily for the Maryhill Museum. The museum began as an estate built in 1914 by Sam Hill, a retired entrepreneur who wanted to establish a Quaker agricultural community along the Columbia River. When t...
Maryland's "watermen"—those who make their living pulling seafood from Chesapeake Bay—are a romantic part of the state's appeal. But in a sense, all residents and visitors to the state become watermen. In a state with this much coastline, spending a lot of time by the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic...
Located 100 mi/160 km west of Nairobi and bordering Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya offers a wide variety of wildlife—and your best opportunity to see lions (some with gorgeous, long black manes) and cheetahs. You can expect to see lions, hippos, crocodiles, ...
The center of the country's folk culture, Masaya, Nicaragua, is the spot for dancing, festivals, music and handicrafts. Most of Nicaragua's arts and handicrafts are produced in tiny villages located in Masaya Departmento's (state) highlands just west of Masaya town and the crater lake, Apoyo. The vi...
Maseru, Lesotho, has grown considerably, although there are few attractions in the city itself, apart from its laid-back pace and appealingly quirky ambience. However, it makes a good base for exploring the surrounding countryside. One possibility is a day trip to Thaba Bosiu, the former hilltop f...
This city is a pilgrimage site for Shiites, who go to pay homage to Imam Reza, an Islamic holy man believed to have been assassinated in AD 817. In the 1970s, Mashhad (pronounced MASH-had ) was known as a center for commerce, religion and tourism, and particularly as the gateway to Afghanistan. The...
Overview Introduction These islands in the Tadjoura Gulf are a short boat ride from Djibouti City. For those interested in beautiful sandy beaches, coral reefs and relaxation, we suggest spending a day on either one of them. Camping is permitted. 10 mi/15 km north of Djibouti City.
The Masoala Peninsula, 300 mi/480 km northeast of Antananarivo, boasts some of the last areas of intact rain forest in Madagascar, most of which are now protected in Masoala National Park. Several lemur species are present, including the very localized red ruffed lemur, and bird-watchers know it as ...
From the wild seacoast that beckoned Pilgrims in 1620 to the stone walls that sheltered Minutemen in 1775, Massachusetts has been the site of some of the defining moments in U.S. history. It's a land of superlatives (especially firsts and oldests). Not surprisingly, most visitors to the state go loo...
If Asmara, with its wide boulevards and colonial buildings, reflects Eritrea's Italian connection, Massawa, full of narrow streets and crumbling Ottoman-style buildings, shows off the country's Arab influence. Though the city was heavily damaged during the recent wars, many of its historic coral-blo...
Located well to the northeast of Managua, Matagalpa Department (state) is noted for large-scale coffee production, cooler climate and forested mountain countryside. Abundant foliage and cool weather provide a break from the heat and dust of Nicaragua's other cities. An interesting historic, cultural...
Overview Introduction A beautiful chasm some 50 ft/15 m deep and 50 ft/15 m wide, Matapa offers swimming in a protected mix of fresh and salt water. Another preferred bathing spot for the Niuean royalty, the chasm is an ideal spot for a day trip. On our last visit, we were treated to the sight of...
Overview Introduction Matheran, India, is a hill station 2,625 ft/800 m high, on the mountains of Sahyadri. A ban on motor vehicles there makes it a tranquil place. A heritage train chugs up the 16 mi/26 km route from the foothills. Activities such as trekking, riding and walking offer panoramic ...
The main reason to visit this town—and lots of tourists do—is to see the underground houses. They look like meteor craters from the surface, but down in the holes (30-40 ft/10-13 m below) you'll find windows, doors and ladders—some even have camel-driven oil presses operating down there. (Do be resp...
This park, located 20 mi/32 km south of Bulawayo, is split into a game reserve famous for its healthy rhino population and a recreational area that encompass windswept granite hills, caves with rock paintings and the home and grave of Cecil Rhodes. Rhodes was a British businessman/explorer/robber ba...
The city of Matsue, on the shore of Lake Shinji 110 mi/180 km north of Hiroshima and famed for its gorgeous sunsets, has much to offer. Its sinister-looking black castle is a 17th-century original—not a reconstruction—that broods over moats lined with pine trees and a street of restored samurai hous...
Overview Introduction This hilly area is coffee-growing country. Between June and September, the coffee harvest can be witnessed. The former government resthouse, Pousada de Maubisse, has 360-degree views. Maubisse is a good base for trekking Mount Ramelau.
The island of Maui, Hawaii, deserves its reputation as a top vacation destination: It's covered with pristine white-sand beaches, calm ocean bays and thrilling surf, stunning mountain and volcano vistas, sugarcane fields, highland ranches, waterfall-fed pools and twisting mountain roads. But Maui...
This raised atoll in the eastern Cook Islands has daily air service. You can easily walk the periphery of the island (about 11 mi/18 km) in a day if you carry food and water along with you. The shaded track edges many small white beaches and coral cliffs where you can sit and watch the waves. There ...
The small town of Maun, Botswana, on the edge of the Okavango Delta, lies 355 mi/575 km northwest of Gaborone. Few visitors go beyond the souvenir stalls outside the airport gates before they board the five-seat connecting flights to Okavango Delta, Moremi Reserve or Kalahari Desert destinations. ...
At a breathtaking 14,000 ft/4,265 m (with an azure sea sparkling below), Mauna Kea is one of the best spots on Earth to explore the heavens: The Mauna Kea observatory complex has 13 major astronomical telescopes. Free stargazing programs are presented each evening, weather permitting, at the Onizuka...
A quiet corner of the Society Islands, Maupiti lies 190 mi/300 km northwest of Papeete and 25 mi/40 km west of Bora Bora. Visitors can reach the island flying from Papeete (50 minutes) or by boat from Bora Bora. Few people visit Maupiti because there are no first-class hotels (visitors stay in simp...
Overview Introduction This village in northern Liechtenstein has a nice nature trail to hike to nearby Schaanwald . Mauren is also home to an interesting little church. 6 mi/10 km northeast of Vaduz.
Mauritania's attractions include desert oases, beaches, nomadic people and four-wheel-drive treks in the Sahara, but the desolation and constantly encroaching sands make other desert countries more appealing. Every year, sand dunes cover more and more of Mauritania, and even those interested in des...
For an island in the middle of nowhere, Mauritius (east of Madagascar) is a remarkably cosmopolitan place. Since outsiders first settled there some 400 years ago, it has accumulated a diverse collection of people from India, Europe, Africa and China, and could serve as a poster for multicultural h...
If you're driving around the western end of the island 70 mi/115 km southwest of San Juan, stop in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico's third-largest city, to look around and perhaps purchase the local embroidery or a brazo gitano (a jelly-filled cake roll with either chocolate, creme or tropical fruit pastes)...
The less-visited county of Mayo, in Ireland's northwest, is spectacular—worth at least a three-night visit. Achill Island and Westport are two of County Mayo's biggest draws, but there are plenty of other attractions if you have the time. http://www.mayo.ie. Drive along Clew Bay to gaze out at the ...
Mayotte consists of two islands—Grande Terre and Petite Terre—and many other uninhabited islands. It is part of an archipelago of four main tropical islands, once known as the Islands of the Moon, in the Indian Ocean off East Africa, between Madagascar and Mozambique. It is more rustic and less visi...
Tiny, arid, privately owned and nearly forgotten Mayreau Island, The Grenadines, is just 1.5 sq mi/4 sq km. Some of its fewer than 200 residents do double duty as anglers and staff for the only hotel on the island. Cruise ships anchor for three- to four-hour stays either in the sweeping arc of Salt ...
Overview Introduction Mazar-i-Sharif is not that interesting in itself, but its airport is the closest to Balkh. Mazar-i-Sharif is worth a stop to visit the magnificent Tomb of Ali (a mosque said to be the resting place of Muhammad's adopted son, Ali) and to shop for the gorgeous deep red-and-bla...
Tourism development in Mazatlan, Mexico, is exploding. Although historically not as fancy as Puerto Vallarta to the south or Los Cabos to the west, it's getting there and is now one of Mexico's fastest-growing Pacific coast resort areas. A middle-sized city that used to depend on its shrimp fleet...
Overview Introduction Mbabane (pronounced em-BAH-bahn ), Swaziland, is the capital city and a pleasant place to spend time while preparing to tour the rest of the country. Founded by the British in 1903, few historic buildings remain, and it's primarily a cluster of concrete surrounded by ring r...
Overview Introduction Named "Equator" by Stanley in the 1880s, this pleasant city (pop. 206,000) at the meeting point of the Congo and Ruki Rivers has an Equator Museum (tribal artifacts), a beautiful road along the river and a fascinating river-port area. Visit Basoko (a village built on piles...
McCall, Idaho, a former mining and timber town, was founded in the 1880s and sits on the shore of glacier-carved Payette Lake surrounded by pine forests with the northern Rockies as a backdrop. There are just a handful of streets lined with rustic log-cabin-style buildings and old pickup trucks park...
Overview Introduction East of Springfield, Highway 126 follows the beautiful, blue McKenzie River through little resort communities shadowed by towering Douglas firs. River guides can be hired for rafting or for steelhead, salmon and trout fishing. Those devoted to fly-fishing will love this area...
Overview Introduction Located on Ross Island, McMurdo is the largest settlement in Antarctica. It's home to about 1,200 residents during the summer season. The station is operated by the U.S., but it's reached by air from New Zealand. (New Zealand's Scott Base is a near neighbor.) Residents put o...
Mdina, near the center of the island of Malta, affords excellent panoramas of the island. This former capital, often called the "Silent City" because of its quiet environment, is surrounded by walls built by the Arabs and fortified by the Knights of St. John. Entrance to the city is via a bridge a...
Overview Introduction Meads Bay, Anguilla, at the western end of the island, isn't a village—it's a terrific mile-/kilometer-long beach with upscale hotels, restaurants and art galleries.
The birthplace of Muhammad, Mecca (the name means "blessed") is the holiest city of Islam and is the destination of Muslims making the sacred hajj (pilgrimage) from throughout the world. Normally a city of about 1.5 million people, Mecca's population grows to more than 3 million during the annual pi...
Overview Introduction The former Burgundian capital of the Netherlands, Mechelen has churches containing art treasures, the Jewish Museum of Deportation and Resistance and the De Wit Royal Tapestry Manufacturers (500 years of weaving history, with a collection of antique and contemporary tapestri...
Located 875 mi/400 km northwest of Jakarta, Medan is the capital city of North Sumatra and Indonesia's third largest city. It has few of the luxuries of Jakarta with all of the congestion, crowds, pollution and crime. Most people who go to Medan are on their way someplace else, since it is home to t...
The stunningly beautiful city of Medillin, Colombia, 150 mi/240 km northwest of Bogota and capital of the department of Antioquia, is where drug lord Pablo Escobar and his Medellin cartel waged a violent war with the army, police and anyone who happened to get in the way during the 1980s. However, E...
Overview Introduction Surrounded by the pear orchards of the Rogue River Valley, 245 mi/395 km south of Portland, Medford offers miles/kilometers of paved bike and running paths. While passing through, visit the Harry & David's homebase for flowers and delicious fruits to send home. Their cak...
The city of Medina, located 200 mi/320 km north of Jeddah, has a population of more than 1 million. Its name means "radiant," and it is the second-holiest city of Islam. Muhammad is buried there. Only Muslims are permitted to visit it. There are several mosques in Medina, including the green-domed...
Located 16 mi/26 km southwest of Mostar, near the border with Croatia, Medjugorje has became an enormously popular religious shrine for Roman Catholics—millions of pilgrims have visited the site since 1981, when local children reported seeing visions of the Virgin Mary on a nearby hillside. The Virg...
This gateway to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is very much tied to the history of the West. At the park's visitors center museum, you can relive that history through a collection of frontier artifacts and other memorabilia. The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame showcases the hist...
Overview Introduction Mekele lies 310 mi/500 km north of Addis Ababa, and two very interesting markets are this town's main draw for travelers. The first sells only rock salt; the second, held on Monday, is a large, lively market that draws rural people on camelback. Day trips can be made 50 mi/8...
The imperial city of Meknes doesn't draw the crowds that Marrakesh and Fez do, which means you can explore its medina (a UNESCO World Heritage site) at a relaxed pace with relatively little hassle. From 1672 to 1727, Meknes served as the capital for Muslim ruler Moulay Ismail. His ornately decorated...
Melbourne, Australia, offers a wonderful mix of Victorian architecture with world cultures. From its favored site on the banks of the Yarra River, Melbourne offers travelers some of the best shopping and theater in Australia, a varied arts scene, top-notch food and wine with restaurants to fit any ...
Perched on a bluff over the Danube 50 mi/75 km west of Vienna, Melk, Austria, is most famous for its incredibly ornate Benedictine abbey (it provided inspiration for Umberto Eco's best-selling novel The Name of the Rose ). The abbey has a beautiful baroque library (the decorative cherubs almost ou...
A museumlike town in a rugged mountain region, Melnik is Bulgaria's smallest town and out of the way for most visitors but worth the effort to see. It is 118 mi/190 km south of Sofia, near the border with Greece. The beautiful historic village has a spectacular backdrop of pyramid-shaped, bare, rock...
The city of Melville, Saskatchewan, grew up around the railroad, and it's now home to the Melville Railway Museum. Train buffs will love the museum's old cars and locomotive, and the old Grand Trunk Pacific Station is also part of the museum. The whole city turns out to celebrate Railway Days, held ...
Memphis is where you go to learn about the blues, the birth of rock 'n' roll and Graceland. Ties to the past are strong and deep there—and accessible via the living music of the blues. Memphis is a modern city of innovation, where FedEx brought overnight package delivery to the world and Kemmons W...
Menaggio is a large and busy village situated on a small peninsula on the western shore of Lake Como, 23 mi/37 km north of Como. It's dominated by the ruins of an old castle that was destroyed by the Swiss in 1523. Its surroundings may be somewhat blighted by a noisy bypass road, but its historic, a...
Although it can be reached by a short flight from Mt. Hagen, Mendi, the provincial center for the Southern Highlands, isn't visited very often. That's a shame, because it has a hand-loom industry, very traditional culture, caves and stunning mountain scenery. Like Mt. Hagen, Mendi has a frontier fee...
Mendocino County, in northern California, an area that begins 130 mi/210 km north of San Francisco, has some of the most beautiful and rugged coastal scenery in California. Several state parks are located in the county along the coast. Good places to appreciate the shoreline include Russian Gulch, M...
The old colonial section of Mendoza, Argentina, was destroyed by fire and earthquake in 1861, so there's little of historical interest to see in this city 610 mi/980 km northwest of Buenos Aires. It is, however, a bustling place with leafy boulevards and a wonderful climate, thanks to its location a...
Overview Introduction One of the Balearic Islands, Menorca (sometimes written as Minorca) has fabulous sandy beaches (often at the end of long, bumpy lanes) and a relaxed atmosphere. Unlike Mallorca and Ibiza, Menorca has escaped the worst of mass tourism and continues to be a relatively low-key ...
Northeast along the French Riviera coast, past Nice, St. Jean Cap Ferrat and Monaco, you'll find Menton, France. Menton is a quiet, peaceful town with a climate that's mild year-round. It's probably best known for its annual Fete des Citrons (lemon festival). The festival takes place every February...
Overview Introduction Mentone has Alabama's only ski resort, Cloudmont Ski and Golf Resort (phone 256-634-4344; http://www.cloudmont.com). Snow-making machines provide the snow December-March. You will also find golf and a dude ranch on the 1,000-acre/405-hectare resort. Mentone is 75 mi/120 km ...
Overview Introduction This banana port and Arabian town (pop. 189,000) has interesting architecture. Game animals were once seen in the surrounding countryside, but no longer. 50 mi/80 km southwest of Mogadishu.
The capital of Yucatan state, Merida, Mexico, is a charming colonial city in a tropical locale and one of the Spanish conquistadores' first strongholds in New Spain. Built over a Mayan settlement, Merida retains a strong Maya influence even today: Many people still speak the language, and women dre...
Overview Introduction This village is across from Cocos Island. If you're there in August, attend the Merizo Water Festival. The town's parish house is the oldest Spanish building on the island. Merizo is the place to catch a boat to Cocos Island. 20 mi/35 km southwest of Hagatna.
Overview Introduction On the east bank of the Nile northeast of Shendi, these ruins of pyramids, temples and palaces are remnants of the Meroitic era (350 BC to AD 350). The kingdom was influenced by Egyptian art and religion, but it became isolated, developing its own script and art. After weat...
Overview Introduction Mersch, Luxembourg, located 12 mi/ 20 km north of Luxembourg City, is in the very center of the country. There you'll find the remains of a Roman villa and a medieval castle. Mersch is also an agricultural center and a good jumping-off point for tours of the Valley of the Se...
Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, is Known as the "Iron Town." Its past wealth was forged in the Industrial Revolution: The cannons that defeated Napoleon were all cast there. By the 19th century, Methyr's population had reached 60,000, making this town 25 mi/40 km north of Cardiff larger than Cardiff, Swans...
Overview Introduction At the southeastern tip of Java, this park has a superb rain forest (leeches included), but visitor numbers remain very low because of primitive accommodations and difficulty of access. The park is reputed as the last refuge of the near-extinct Java tiger, although no eviden...
If you remember Elsa, the lion of Born Free fame, you'll want to visit Kenya's Meru National Park: It was Elsa's home. Located 135 mi/215 km northeast of Nairobi, the park isn't on many itineraries, so you're not likely to encounter swarms of safari vehicles when you go on game drives. Meru has ...
Located in southwest Colorado, Mesa Verde is one of the best places to view the ancient cliff dwellings built by the Anasazi. They lived throughout the area from about AD 550-1300, when their dwellings were suddenly abandoned. Other popular sites are at Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, Canyon de Chelly i...
Mescalero, New Mexico, is home to Ski Apache, part of the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino. The park collects an average of 15 ft/4.6 m of powder each season and peaks at 11,500 ft/3,565 m, with 55 distinct trails for all levels. Eleven lifts service these trails on the Rockies, includ...
Located on the southeastern corner of Nevada along Interstate 15 and on the borders with Arizona and Utah, Mesquite is a resort destination popular with golf enthusiasts. Mesquite fans also include those seeking a little outdoor adventure to go along with their spa treatments, fine dining and gambli...
The third largest settlement on the island of Sicily, Messina is an interesting mixture of old and new architecture, as much of the city had to be rebuilt following earthquakes in the 19th and 20th centuries. Be sure to visit the Piazza del Duomo to see Orologio Astronomico, the world's largest astr...
The main attraction in Messolonghi, Greece, is the Park of the Heroes, which commemorates the Greek war of independence (an 1821-30 struggle against the Turks' Ottoman Empire). The park also has a statue of the English poet Lord Byron, who died in Messolonghi fighting for Greek independence (his hea...
The natural sandstone towers of Meteora, Greece, 160 mi/260 km northwest of Athens, are the site of spectacular monasteries. Atop gray-rock pinnacles jutting some 2,000 ft/600 m in the air ( meteora means "hanging between heaven and Earth"), these 11th-century religious centers contain ancient manu...
Mexico is popular with travelers from all over the world. They go there for reasons almost too numerous to mention: sunshine, blue seas teeming with fish and coral, crystal-white beaches, lofty mountains and volcanoes, jungles full of exotic wildlife, world-famous museums and painters, collectible f...
Mexico City, Mexico, embodies the word megalopolis . It is one of the world's most populous cities, at the same time modern and cosmopolitan yet sprawling and ramshackle. Its industry, traffic (with accompanying smog), hotels, restaurants, museums, architecture, historic sites (both Spanish and Az...
Overview Introduction This reserve 300 mi/485 km southwest of Kampala protects the mountain gorillas of the Uganda portion of Virunga volcano range. At only 21 sq mi/34 sq km, this is Uganda's smallest park. It's a pristine swath of tropical rain forest and bamboo, which gorillas love to eat. One...
Miami, Florida, has always billed itself as a travel destination. Warm weather, sandy beaches and bright sunshine were selling points more than 100 years ago, just as they are today. But Miami's allure extends beyond its shores. People from all over the Caribbean and Latin America have settled in M...
Water. It's the reason European explorers and fur traders arrived in Michigan long before they got to many other parts of the Midwest. With shoreline on four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan was directly on the canoe routes that were the superhighways of the 1600s. Water is also the primary reason...
Micronesia is an immense geographical region encompassing an area larger than that of the U.S. However, the actual landmass of this vast stretch of islands is smaller than Rhode Island, the smallest state in the U.S. The rest is deep blue sea. Like neighboring Polynesia or Melanesia, it has always h...
Located 125 mi/200 km southwest of Amsterdam, Middelburg was a medieval cloth-making center and 17th-century trading port. The 16th-century Gothic town hall stands on the marktplein , and nearby is the Nieuwe Kerk with its abbey and tower. Between Middelburg and Rotterdam is the Rhine and Maas de...
Though Middle Caicos is the largest island in the Turks and Caicos, its population is fewer than 300 people. Located in the middle of the chain and connected to North Caicos by a causeway, Middle Caicos has Lucayan and Arawak sites under excavation at the towns of Bamberra and Lorimar. It is said ...
The lovely town of Middlebury, at the heart of the Champlain Valley 30 mi/50 km south of Burlington, is home to Middlebury College and a number of cultural landmarks. These include the well-stocked Vermont Book Shop, where Robert Frost used to shop, and the Vermont State Craft Center at Frog Hollow,...
On the west coast (partly below the Arctic Circle), this region is best recognized for its highly varied scenery. Kangerlussuaq ( Sondre Stromfjord )—Founded as a World War II airfield, the U.S. sold Kangerlussuaq to Greenland for one krone (US$0.15) in 1992. Greenland continues to run it as a sc...
Overview Introduction Together with its nearby neighbor Odessa, Midland is at the very heart of west Texas oil country, the Permian Basin (315 mi/505 km southwest of Dallas). Oil wealth paid for a number of the finer attractions in both cities.
If you're interested in seeing the midnight sun, anywhere north of the Arctic Circle will do. But we think that the North Cape (Nordkapp), at the very top of the country and 750 mi/1,200 km north of Oslo, has the best view, and the "day" lasts from mid-May until the end of July. The North Cape itsel...
A quiet town (130 mi/210 km northeast of Helsinki), Mikkeli has a nice 14th-century church (with a stone chapel) and a good military museum. In Visulahti (4 mi/6 km from Mikkeli), visit Miniland (a sampling of Finnish architecture in miniature), the Automobile Exhibition (about 30 old cars) and th...
Set in the center of the lovely Great Mazurian Lake District 110 mi/175 km north of Warsaw, picturesque Mikolajki, Poland, affords many opportunities for camping and invigorating hikes in the surrounding forests. May-September, lake boats depart the town dock for scenic day cruises to Gizycko and ...
Tanzania's medium-sized Mikumi National Park (650 sq mi/1,685 sq km) offers good viewing of giraffes, impalas, warthogs, elephants, lions, hippos and other animals. The landscape is woodlands and grassy plains fed by the floodplains of the Mkata River. Mikumi is the Kiswahili name for the borassus p...
From the enchanted rooftop world of the Duomo, you can see the graceful porticoes and ornate friezes of medieval Milan, Italy, fade into the sharp lines and angles of the modern city. It's a clear reminder that Milan isn't just a relic from the past. This magical yet understated city is bursting wi...
In spite of its remote location on the South Island and its wet climate (roughly 200 in/550 cm of rain a year), Milford Sound is one of New Zealand's premier natural attractions. (In summer, it's visited by 50 or more tour buses a day.) Although it's called a sound, it's really a glacier-carved fjor...
Overview Introduction The main island of Mili atoll is Mili-Mili . During World War II, the local population joined forced laborers from Korea and Okinawa in a revolt against the Japanese. Their revolt was brutally suppressed. War relics exist, but today the island is wonderfully peaceful. Beaut...
Mill Valley is a shady, artsy community in Marin County populated by millionaires and famous names. Located at the base of Mount Tamalpais (known affectionately by locals as Mount Tam), it's about a 30-minute drive north from San Francisco. The downtown area is filled with boutique shops, yoga studi...
Overview Introduction Named for Gen. James Miller, who played a prominent role in the War of 1812, this is New Hampshire's oldest state park. Located near Peterborough in the southwestern part of the state, the park has fine hiking trails leading to the summit of Pack Monadnock Mountain. This ver...
Overview Introduction This dazzling, isolated and rarely visited region is made up of the eastern end of the New Guinea mainland and a series of islands, including Samarai Island and the Trobriand Islands, the D'Entrecasteaux Group (three islands), Goodenough Island (two high mountains and th...
Overview Introduction Once the home of the Venus de Milo , this island, located 95 mi/155 km south of Athens, offers isolated coves and white-pebble beaches. The island is mostly famous for its crystal clear waters and amazing beaches. Visit the castle in Milos town and stroll along the harbor. ...
Miltenberg, which has many beautiful half-timbered buildings, is located in the Main Valley and is adjacent to many vineyards, so be sure to sample the superb local wines. The Hotel zum Riesen, rebuilt in 1590 on 12th-century foundations, is one of the oldest in Germany: Many emperors (including F...
Milwaukee's friendly and unpretentious citizens personify its touted spirit of gemutlichkeit , a German word loosely translated as "enjoying good times with friends." The bonus in Milwaukee is that great food and entertainment vary more—and cost much less—than you might imagine. Whether your idea ...
Situated 500 mi/800 km south of Manila, Mindanao Island, Philippines, is not a completely safe destination for travel. Islamic insurgents are active throughout the island, and attacks against tourists have occurred at Samal Island, among other places. When it becomes safe again, travelers will find ...
Located 17 mi/27 km southeast of Kearney, the small town of Minden, Nebraska, was settled by German, Swedish and Danish immigrants. Since 1915, citizens have lavishly decorated the Court House Square with colored lights each December, resulting in Minden's local reputation as Christmas City. The...
Mindoro Island, Philippines, is located 100 mi/160 km south of Manila and offers jungle, mountains, coral reefs and interesting tribal villages. Just a few hours south of Manila on the island of Mindoro, the coastal town of Puerto Galera draws city residents and tourists alike who all visit to enj...
Overview Introduction One of the four ancient cities surrounding Mandalay, Mingun, Myanmar, lies a relatively short boat ride up the Ayeyarwady River. We enjoyed the pleasant river scenery along the way, as well as the sights of Mingun itself: the base of the huge Mingun Pagoda and several smalle...
Minneapolis and St. Paul might be called "the Twin Cities" but they are not identical. Minneapolis is often considered the more cosmopolitan and shiny city; St. Paul (10 mi/16 km away) is the state capital that offers a more historical, traditional atmosphere. The Minneapolis metro area, flanking b...
Minnesota means "land of sky-blue waters" in the tongue of the Native Americans, who hailed the beauty of their land. Immigrating Scandinavians loved it for the same reason: Its fabled 10,000 lakes looked just like home. Today, the summerlong weekend exodus "up to the lake," as local parlance has it...
Although it's the capital and largest city in Belarus (population 1,975,000), Minsk can be seen in one day. As is the case with so many cities in the region, Minsk was leveled during World War II. The many lovely parks and open areas resulted from postwar planning and reconstruction (the only draw...
Although not particularly easy to get to, the Middle Egypt town of Minya on the western bank of the Nile, 150 mi/240 km south of Cairo, is an ideal place to stay while exploring several archaeological sites, including Hermopolis, Tuna el-Gebal, Tell el-Amarna and Beni Hasan. The Office of Antiquitie...
Overview Introduction While there is nothing of note in Mirebalais itself, nearby Saut d'Eau is the site of a beautiful waterfall that is the destination of a mid July pilgrimage for Haitians (the alleged presence of water spirits inspires fantastic voodoo ceremonies). A jeep and driver/guide a...
Although it's an industrial town, Miskolc's streets have their charm, and the city does have some unusual attractions: Avas Hill, which overlooks the city and is filled with numerous wine cellars; interesting 13th-century castle ruins; a wooden church; and museums, including the Otto Herman Museum, ...
Misiones Province, located in the far northeastern corner of Argentina 600 mi/965 km northeast of Buenos Aires, was so named because of its 12 Jesuit missions, which are now in ruins. The most notable are along the route between Iguazu Falls and the town of Posadas, which has a regional museum, too....
"The past is never dead," said William Faulkner. "It is not even past." The author's famous quotation could be used as a slogan for his home state's tourism department. With a legacy of turbulence and grandeur, Mississippi's history takes center stage for visitors. You can see the antebellum homes ...
Home to the University of Montana, the oldest university in the state, Missoula is a college town. Located 340 mi/545 km northwest of Billings, Missoula has a fun downtown area featuring a wide range of shopping, entertainment and dining, along with events held on the riverfront in Caras Park. Kid...
Along Missouri's southern border, the state's charming small towns seem more like the state's southern neighbor, Arkansas, with flat terrain, a rural landscape and miles/kilometers of rivers and springs. As you travel north along the Mississippi River, the flatlands morph into the hillier terrain fo...
Alaska's Misty Fiords National Monument, 675 mi/1,087 km southeast of Anchorage, encompasses more than 2 million acres/810,000 hectares of old-growth forest, granite mountains, waterfalls, islands, lakes, rivers and coastal habitat. Boats and cruise ships thread their way through extremely narrow c...
If you're driving west from Sioux Falls on Interstate 90, be sure to stop in Mitchell (70 mi/112 km away) to see the turreted Corn Palace. Take some time to look at its decorative patterns and pictures made up of grasses, corn and other grains that are remade annually with locally harvested products...
Known for its bananas and lake eels, this island has few facilities but may be reached by air three times a week. A fine reef surrounds the tiny island, which is almost completely flat (almost every house has an ocean view). Mitiaro has a number of underground caves, some of which contain pools of c...
The island of Miyajima, Japan, has some of the most beautiful wooden shrines in all of Japan. The Itsukushima Shrine was first built in the sixth century. Its unique location, floating on top of the seawater, makes it a one-of-a-kind World Heritage site. The shrine's beauty is further enhanced by ...
The entire western part of Mljet Island is a national park. There are two small saltwater lakes (Great Lake and Small Lake), a church and a monastery from the 12th century, which is now a restaurant. There are also plenty of hiking trails. http://www.mljettravel.com/national-park.html. The island u...
Named after an isolated area mentioned in the Bible, Moab, Utah, was a uranium-mining town in the 1950s. In recent years, Moab has become one of the biggest adventure-travel centers in the U.S. It is located 240 mi/385 km southeast of Salt Lake City. Visitors interested in mountain biking, hiking, ...
Many travelers bypass Mobile for points farther south on the beautiful Gulf Coast, but the city has much to offer. Founded by the French in 1702 on the west side of Mobile Bay, the city was first called Fort Louis de la Mobile. Its French heritage is celebrated with an annual Mardi Gras festival. M...
Modjadjiskloof, South Africa, located about a 25-minute drive from Tzaneen, is home to a very peculiar bar, one that exists in the belly of an African baobab tree. The Sunland Baobab is billed as the largest baobab on earth and is said to be more than 4,000 years old. About a dozen people can cram...
Overview Introduction Moenjodaro (Mound of the Dead) is an ancient city that claims to be the birthplace of the 4,500-year-old Indus Valley Civilization. Today, it's much less civilized: Travelers are advised to take an armed escort from tourism authorities in Hyderabad as a precaution. So far, a...
Overview Introduction Though efforts are being made to maintain peace, Mogadishu (pop. 1,257,000) remains divided among hostile clans. At one time Somalia's capital and largest city merited a two-day visit. Mogadishu has suffered extensive damage since then—the Italian colonial downtown area has ...
Overview Introduction Toward the Russian border, 115 mi/185 km east of Minsk, Mogilev (pop. 360,000) is one of the few places that still has an interesting old town center. Maybe, not worth going out of the way to visit, but it provides a break if driving through.
Overview Introduction Mohacs is a small town that is most famous for two battles fought during the Ottoman domination of Hungary. In February every year, the town holds the Busojaras carnival, which is a celebration of the end of Ottoman rule and the end of winter. Mohacs is an approximately 40 m...
Moheli (also known as Mwali) lies 50 mi/75 km southeast of Moroni and is the smallest and least mountainous of the islands. Because it is mainly agricultural, Moheli is rarely visited. But it has a fascinating marine reserve with sea turtles and coral reefs. You may get to watch sea turtles come a...
A trip through California's vast Mojave Desert, which takes up one quarter of the state, is an intensely rewarding experience, especially if you've never been in a large desert area before. Unless you happen to be passing through on your way into or out of California, you'll need to detour to see it...
Overview Introduction Moka is home to the lovely campus of the University of Mauritius, as well as the Mahatma Gandhi Institute. It's about 4 mi/6 km south of Port Louis. Near town is Maison Eureka, a beautifully furnished colonial house dating to 1830. It is surrounded by waterfalls and gardens....
Molde, Norway, lies 230 mi/370 km northwest of Oslo amid the spectacular fjord country on the coast between Bergen and Trondheim. The town sits beneath glacial cliffs, which protect it from the harsh elements, and it's blessed with a comparatively mild climate. Unfortunately, Molde was destroyed du...
Moldova remains at a stalemate. The former Soviet republic is split into two regions, with most of the country controlled by the government and a small slice of land controlled by rebel separatists. Neither side possesses the political drive to end the division. Another faction is demanding that the...
In northwest Ghana, 270 mi/435 km from Accra, Mole National Park sees relatively few people, which is what makes the wildlife viewing (lions, elephants, kob antelopes, baboons and so forth) special. The best way to see the park is on one of the guided treks led by park rangers, when you can expect t...
Overview Introduction To really get away from it all, head to Molimo-Nthuse, Lesotho (the name translates as God-Help-Me Pass). The views are great, and the hiking is pleasant, albeit very basic. The government's Pony Trekking Center is there and can help you arrange treks of up to five days. The...
The Hawaiian island of Molokai (26 mi/42 km east of Oahu) is for those who want to unwind quietly. It's a great place if you like isolated beaches, deep-sea fishing, history, hiking and relaxing. Residents voted to retain Molokai's rural flavor instead of invite tourism development. Potpourri Molok...
The major city on the Coral Coast, located 275 mi/440 km southeast of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kenya, has been a trading center for centuries—Persians, Turks, Indians, Portuguese and the British have all left their marks. Ancient mosques, forts, museums and temples abound. Parts of the city have a North A...
Founded in 1537 on a bank of the Magdalena River, the old center of Santa Cruz de Mompox, Colombia, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. During colonial times, Mompox (also spelled Mompos), located 317 mi/511 km from Bogota, served as the primary port on the Magdalena River, Colombia's...
Monaco is not so much a country as it is a family project, passed along from one generation to the next. Since 1297, the Grimaldi dynasty has shaped everything from its borders to its image, and it's hard to separate the principality from its principals: When was the last time you read an article ab...
This medieval town has been developed into a popular resort, complete with gold-sand beaches. At the center of town is the impressive eighth-century red-stone ribat (a fortified monastery), which now houses a small museum of Islamic arts. Tunisia's first president after independence, Habib Bourgui...
Many travelers miss downtown Moncton, 115 mi/185 km east of Fredericton, because they stop on the TransCanada Highway at the Magnetic Hill—a naturally occurring perceptual illusion that will have you convinced your car is rolling uphill—it even looks like the stream is flowing uphill. Or they visi...
Mondorf les Bains, Luxembourg, is located 20 mi/32 km southeast of Luxembourg City. The town is home to a famous spring-fed health spa, mineral baths and a casino. Though the spa building exteriors are concrete and not very pretty, the spa is worth the visit. Make sure you taste the warm, salty wa...
The rolling hills and mountains, and the pleasant year-round breeze in Mondulkiri Province make the area unique within Cambodia. Few people visit there, but those who do enjoy wonderful scenery, treks into hill-tribe villages and cascading waterfalls. The area is at an elevation of around 2,625 ft/8...
Monemvasia is located 99 mi/160 km south of Athens and is one of the most picturesque places in Greece. The old town is actually a fortress town, a perfectly preserved medieval settlement, albeit one inhabited by modern people. Vehicles are not allowed there and the atmosphere is magical, transferri...
Overview Introduction Mongar is on some itineraries because it is visited as an overnight stop for those traveling east: There are no special attractions in the town itself. It's interesting mainly for its Mongar Tsechu festival November-December.
The world of the Mongols may have shrunk a bit since Genghis Khan and his hordes overran most of Asia, but when you're in Mongolia nowadays, you may think its vistas are boundless. From steppe to desert, the empty landscape seems to stretch into infinity. It's the most sparsely populated country in ...
Formations of tufa, a spongy form of calcium carbonate, tower in the Mono Lake state reserve just east of Yosemite National Park at the base of the Sierra Nevada and 180 mi/290 km east of San Francisco. Initially formed underwater, the eerie, netherworld formations now stand like abstract sculptures...
Set on the banks of the Ouachita River in northeast Louisiana, about 200 mi/322 km northwest of New Orleans, Monroe is the trade center for that region of the state. In the middle of a lakes-and-streams area, it does make a convenient base for fishing and other watersports. The Emy-Lou Biedenharn ...
The main port and capital city of Liberia was completely destroyed during the civil war in the 1990s and came under rebel attack again beginning in 2002. Heavy fighting in and around the city demolished buildings, roads and bridges. Reconstruction, done in fits and starts around hostilities, has bee...
Mon's Klint refers to the chalk-cliff formation on the east coast of the island of Mon, Denmark, 50 mi/75 km south of Copenhagen. The dazzling white cliffs form what some consider to be the most spectacular landscape in Denmark. Try to see them in the early morning when the colors are most stunning....
Montagne d'Ambre National Park is one of the most visited attractions in Madagascar. Located in the northern region, 620 mi/1,000 km northeast of Antananarivo, it contains more than 12 mi/20 km of trails for self-guided hikes. With more than 70 species of birds found in the park, including the uniqu...
Although Montana is no longer the Wild West, it remains a state where the wildlife outnumbers the people. Its independent, friendly residents treasure the solitude Montana's wilderness areas provide, and they do all they can to protect them. Travel into the backcountry of Glacier National Park, an...
Overview Introduction The village of Mont-Carmel lies in the heart of Prince Edward Island's Acadian culture, 56 mi/90 km west of Charlottetown. Be sure to see Our Lady of Mont-Carmel Church, which has rounded vaults reminiscent of European churches. Also worth checking out are the nearby Musee A...
At the far northwest corner of the Dominican Republic, about 100 mi/160 km west of Santiago, Monte Cristi National Park protects the largest mangrove system in the nation. Flamingos and roseate spoonbills parade in briny lagoons, and American oystercatchers, boobies and six species of terns nest o...
On 40 minutes from Florence by train, this spa town offers beauty and health treatments at every turn. To get a taste of the elegant and healthy life, spend an afternoon "taking the waters" at the elegant, Liberty-style Terme Tettuccio Spa. Music, relaxing and strolling the manicured grounds are all...
Also called El Trifinio, Montecristo National Park is in northwestern El Salvador about 70 mi/115 km northwest of San Salvador. It borders Honduras and Guatemala. Protected by all three governments, the Montecristo cloud forest has many microclimates and is home to an abundance of plants and wildl...
Known fondly as MoBay, Montego Bay is the second-largest city in Jamaica and the country's lively epicenter of tourism: Cruise ships frequent its port, and many of the visitors who arrive in Jamaica by plane land just east of Montego Bay at the Sangster International Airport. The waterfront is li...
Montelimar, Nicaragua, was once the beach getaway of dictator Anastasio Somoza. After he fled the country in 1979 (following a shootout at the estate), the Sandinistas turned it into a luxury resort complete with villas, restaurants, bars, discos and a casino. Situated 60 mi/100 km southwest of Ma...
Declared independent from Serbia in 2006, the small country of Montenegro features the best of both summer and winter vacation possibilities, including fabulous beaches. Because of its geographical diversity—the Adriatic Sea lies at its southern border, and 70 mountain peaks are scattered inland—M...
Central California's Monterey Bay Peninsula offers some of the most dramatic coastal views in the world. The winding Monterey coastline varies from wooded, rugged and rocky to fishing piers, crashing surf and white sandy beaches. Sea life is abundant. It is not uncommon to see playful sea otters, h...
With approximately 1,500 inhabitants and a story dating back to the 11th century, Monterosso is the largest and oldest village of the Cinque Terre. It is located in the westernmost part of the area and can easily be reached by train from Genoa. Monterosso is divided in two districts, the Old Town, ...
Overlooked by the twin peaks of Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Mountain), Monterrey is the industrial and cultural capital of northern Mexico. Located 150 mi/240 km south of Laredo, Texas, this city has devoted some of its iron and steel profits to beautifying itself, and the jagged mountains that ring ...
Monterrico, 77 mi/124 km south of Guatemala City and accessible only by boat through some swampy wetlands, is often referred to as Guatemala's best beach. Like all of Guatemala's Pacific Coast beaches, Monterrico has black sand and a strong riptide. Because of that riptide, an undertow and a lack of...
If the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve were Costa Rica's only attraction, nature lovers would still flock to the country. This reserve, on the steep slopes of a mountain range and 120 mi/195 km northwest of San Jose, is home to rare and unusual wildlife, including jaguars and pumas, although the thi...
Uruguay's capital, Montevideo, is one of South America's more attractive capitals, even if its once-grand colonial architecture could use a little sprucing up. Home to nearly half the country's 3.3 million people, it's a city of beaches, plazas, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and casinos. The Ciuda...
Montezuma, a lazy seaside village on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, attracts an offbeat clientele but has become increasingly popular with the local elite. A one-hour water-taxi service from Playa Herradura, near Jaco, has increased traffic to the area. There are a number of unique bohemi...
The Civil Rights movement began in Alabama's capital, Montgomery, where a yearlong bus boycott ended in a Supreme Court decision to integrate public transportation in 1956. Today, you can watch a re-enactment of that historical event at the Rosa Parks Library and Museum. The Civil Rights Memorial,...
With a population of approximately 8,000, Montpelier (an easy 30 mi/50 km drive southeast of Burlington) is the smallest state capital city in the U.S.—in fact, it's not even large in comparison with other Vermont cities. But the Montpelier Historic District includes some of the best-preserved 18th-...
Montpellier is a fascinating pastiche of all the architectural eras of France—medieval structures stand next to 18th-century buildings and free-form modern designs in this city 50 mi/80 km southwest of Avignon. The Antigone District has neoclassical architecture that people either love or hate. Th...
Although Montreal is often compared to Paris, this cultural metropolis is very much its own distinct city. It has much of the Gallic charm associated with Paris: the French language, fine restaurants, historical buildings, lively streets and sidewalk cafes. But many visitors find Montreal more casu...
Montreux, Switzerland, with its large old-world-style hotels and relaxing atmosphere, is in a resort area on the eastern end of Lake Geneva, 15 mi/25 km east of Lausanne along the lake. It and nearby Vevey offer lakeside areas for lounging, summer watersports (including windsurfing) and an entertain...
If your idea of the Caribbean involves casinos, luxury shops, gourmet restaurants and long sandy beaches, Montserrat will bore you silly. With just barely more than 5,000 permanent residents and only one or two ATMs, Montserrat fits the dictionary definition of "quiet." There are no four-lane roa...
Mont-St.-Michel is perhaps the most famous site in Normandy and the third-most-visited site in France, after the Eiffel Tower and the Versailles Chateau. The fortified medieval city sits on a natural island off the coast of Normandy, protected by the Mont-St.-Michel bay that surrounds it. A causeway...
On the Arizona/Utah border in the northeastern part of the state, this stark landscape is what most of us imagine the western U.S. to look like—grand mesas, buttes, canyons and needlelike formations rising into the sky. Not surprisingly, these sights have played a part in many classic western movies...
Moore Town, a remote village high in Jamaica's John Crow Mountains, is the capital of the Windward Maroons, whose ancestors were slaves who were freed by the Spanish in the mid-1600s and who later battled English colonists. Getting to Moore Town is not easy, partly because you have to travel a bum...
One of French Polynesia's "big three" tourism islands, Moorea sits right next door to Tahiti, 12 mi/20 km northwest of Papeete and just a five-minute flight from the international airport or a 30-minute ferry ride from Papeete's harbor. Despite their proximity, Moorea is quite different from the c...
There's a small but active artists colony in Moorhead, which bumps up against Fargo, North Dakota, to create one metropolitan area. While in Moorhead, see the Red River Valley Heritage-Hjemkost Interpretive Center, home of the Hjemkomst , a full-size replica of a Viking ship. In 1982, a crew sailed...
Visitors to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, are greeted by "Mac the Moose," a giant moose statue that stands beside the visitors center. The source of the town's name is uncertain but likely derives from the Cree word moosegaw , meaning "warm breezes." Today, Moose Jaw, located 125 mi/200 km southeast o...
The Moosehead Lake area, in west-central Maine, offers a chance to experience the state's incredible natural beauty and wilderness with far fewer people than you'll run into along the coast. The lake itself is huge—more than 40 mi/65 km long, with lots of shoreline, and begins 125 mi/200 km northeas...
Established in 1903 as a trading post on the Moose River 600 mi/965 km north of Toronto, Moosonee is the northern terminus of the four-hour Polar Bear Express train ride that begins in Cochrane. The train, which runs late June-early September, travels through beautiful wilderness and can be taken ...
A city spread over three islands, Mopti sits at the junction of the Niger River and the Bani River, almost halfway between Timbuktu and Bamako. The stronghold of the Fulani tribe, Mopti is an interesting market town where various tribes go to trade for fish and salt. Vendors sell cloth, leather good...
Set in the scenic Pembina Valley, about a 90-minute drive southwest of Winnipeg, Morden's Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre houses the world's largest collection of marine fossils, all of them found in Manitoba, a large part of which was once the bottom of a prehistoric lake. The museum's best foss...
Part of North Carolina's Crystal Coast, Morehead City sits on a peninsula bordered by the inland waterway to the south, the Newport River to the east and Calico Creek to the north. It has the best of both worlds, with shopping and dining in the downtown section and boating and fishing right off the ...
The capital of the state of Michoacan and 160 mi/260 km west of Mexico City, the scenic city of Morelia was built by conquistadores in the Spanish colonial style. Its center declared a national monument, Morelia is well worth visiting to see the architecture (much in pink stone), the cathedral, the ...
Morgantown is 130 mi/210 km northeast of Charleston. As is the case in many university towns, the college in Morgantown—West Virginia University—is the town's main attraction, but certainly not its only one. Getting to and around the campus is easy with one of the country's most advanced—and most ...
Overview Introduction Mormugao is the main port of the Indian state of Goa, located on the tip of a peninsula in the Indian Ocean. Panjim, which is located 25 mi/40 km from the port, is the capital of Goa and is a pleasant and friendly city. Vasco is a smaller town closer to the port that include...
Located 6 mi/10 km southeast of Portsmouth, Morne Diablotin National Park, Dominica's largest national park, encompasses a vast expanse of 8,000 acres/3,200 hectares of rain forest. It's located in the mountainous northern interior of the island and is named for Morne Diablotin, Dominica's highest ...
Overview Introduction This mountainous park boasts Pic La Selle, Haiti's tallest mountain. Some of the last native vegetation in the country is found there, as well as parrots and parakeets. The park is located near the town of Seguin. 30 mi/50 km southeast of Port-au-Prince.
A visit to the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, an extraordinary rain forest 16 mi/26 km southeast of Portsmouth and 3 mi/5 km east of Roseau, is the highlight of any visit to Dominica. The park occupies 17,000 acres/6,900 hectares in the southern part of the island and includes waterfalls, wild or...
Morocco's dazzling mosaic of Arab and Berber cultures—with a dash of African and European influence—is at once strange and romantic, alluring and disconcerting. It's little wonder that Morocco has regularly drawn seekers of the exotic. The country is one of Africa's most popular travel destinatio...
An important center of the Sakalava people in Madagascar, Morondava is a good base for visiting their decorated tombs. Unfortunately, many of the sculptures associated with the tombs have been stolen, so the tombs are considerably less impressive than they once were. Anyone wishing to visit the tomb...
Morristown has been making history ever since Gen. Washington chose it for his winter encampment during the Revolutionary War. Two brutal winters there came close to causing mass desertion among the troops, but following the patriots' victory, the campsite became the nation's first historic park. ...
Moscow, Russia, is changing fast. Once-empty shops have become expensive restaurants, designer boutiques and 24-hour convenience stores. Moscow's nightlife, which used to be restricted to cheesy singers at bad restaurants, has exploded into one of the most vibrant party scenes in Europe. Yet the mo...
Most travelers find themselves in Moshi because of its proximity to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. It's from there that trekking companies depart early every morning and head into the Kilimanjaro National Park to commence the climb to the top. The region is particularly fertile because of the volcan...
Built along a rocky peninsula, Mossel Bay, South Africa, has a number of Portuguese flags and names dotted around, thanks to the first Europeans to moor in the bay—Bartolomeu Dias in 1488, followed by Vasco da Gama 1497. The town was named by a Dutch trader, Cornelis de Houtman, who in 1595 found a ...
Mostar is a small historic town in southwestern Bosnia, surrounded on three sides by rugged mountains. Mostar is Bosnia's most famous and popular destination, mainly because of its impressive Ottoman-era historic district and famous Ottoman-built arched stone bridge over the Neretva River gorge. Alt...
North of Baghdad, on the west bank of the Tigris River, Mosul is called the "City of Two Springs" because its autumn is like spring. It's a fairly scenic, hilly town. Sites include the Umayyad, Djami, Mujahidi and Nurid mosques (unusual minarets); the Black Palace of Badr Ud Din Lulu; and numerous a...
Joined to her much better known neighbor Rangitoto Island, Motutapu consists of rolling grassland pastures still farmed, natural and regenerating native forest, an old World War II army training camp and sites related to this period of New Zealand's history. Most notable are the concrete and steel g...
Overview Introduction Chad's second-largest city is currently experiencing a revival because of the oil rush from the Doba basin. Although it has a couple of lively markets and a few good restaurants and bars, Moundou is better known as the home of the Gala Brewery, which produces some of the bes...
India's Mount Abu hill station provides welcome relief from the Rajasthani heat. Another of those towns so treasured by the British during the Raj, it retains a colonial feel. Today, the town, 385 mi/620 km north of Mumbai, is a popular summer retreat for vacationing Indians. Mount Abu has been an...
This small town in the beautiful North Carolina mountains is the hometown of actor Andy Griffith. Downtown Mount Airy reminds many visitors of Mayberry from The Andy Griffith Show . Mount Airy also is located in the Yadkin Valley Wine Country, where more than 50 wineries are found. Tours are avail...
The 16,945-ft/5,165-m peak of Mount Ararat is allegedly the land first spotted by Noah after the flood. The peak is in eastern Turkey, 650 mi/1,045 km east of Ankara and near the rustic frontier town of Dogubeyazit, the last Turkish checkpoint on the way east toward Iran. Nearby is the spectacula...
Approximately 40 mi/65 km from Wanaka, this national park is part of a UNESCO World Heritage area. It encompasses a variety of landscapes, from mountains and glaciers to rivers, lakes and valleys. At its heart lies Mount Aspiring, or Tititea, which means "glistening peak" in Maori. Scenic flights de...
Most of New Zealand's tallest mountains are 200 mi/320 km southwest of Christchurch in the Southern Alps, including the country's highest, Mount Cook (12,345 ft/3,827 m), now also called by its Maori name, Aoraki. From Mount Cook village, there are several long and short walks that take you close to...
Just 25 mi/40 km from Orlando, Mount Dora, Florida, is a pretty Victorian city with dozens of antiques shops around Donnelly Street, in the downtown area. Lovely turn-of-the-century homes are interspersed throughout quiet neighborhoods. Mount Dora is on a chain of lakes that connects with the inlan...
Overview Introduction Located 142 mi/229 km east of Kampala, Mount Elgon is an extinct volcano straddling the border with Kenya, although the peaks all lie in Uganda. Rising to a height of 14,175 ft/4,321 m, it is said to have the largest base of any volcanic mountain in the world and once would ...
Kenya's very isolated Mount Elgon, 250 mi/400 km northwest of Nairobi, is seldom visited. A dormant volcano covered with equatorial vegetation, it rises to 14,170 ft/4,320 m (the summit is actually across the border in Uganda). Hikers can trek to the highest peak on the Kenya side, which is about 13...
Overview Introduction Mount Hood stays topped with snow year-round, and the Timblerline Lodge, set near the top, is one of the most iconic American lodges in the country. The historic 1937 lodge was built by the Works Progress Administration and dedicated by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt o...
Overview Introduction At 9,022 ft/2,750 m, this is the tallest mountain on the Korean peninsula. In Korean mythology, it is the birthplace of the Korean people, so it is considered sacred. North Koreans also believe it is the birthplace of Kim Jong Il (he was actually born in Siberia). Paektu str...
Overview Introduction Located in southeast Iowa, Mount Pleasant is home to two unusual museums: the Midwest Old Threshers Museum (devoted to farm implements) and the Museum of Repertoire Americana (relics of the days of tent shows and traveling theatrical troupes). 110 mi/177 km southeast of Des...
Towering over the surrounding landscape, Myanmar's solitary Mount Popa can be seen from quite a distance. The remains of an ancient volcano, the mountain is an important Burmese pilgrimage site, located 30 mi/50 km southeast of Bagan. A museum there contains 37 nats , or spirits, that are the objec...
Overview Introduction Hatobuilico is at the mountain base. Drive up about 45 minutes and continue by foot for about three hours to the summit. Vistas range north to Ata'uro and south to the coast. The plateau forest offers protection for overnight camping.
This town in the north-central part of the state specializes in authentic crafts and mountain music. Both can be found in abundance at the Ozark Folk Center, a state park that promotes traditional folk culture with demonstrations of blacksmithing, pottery making and other traditional crafts. There a...
The village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Provence, in an exceptional setting, surrounded by the Gorges du Verdon, the Lac Sainte-Croix and the lavender fields of Valensole. The village is known for its faience (pottery), enjoying a rich history in cera...
In the early 1970s, Mozambique was entrenched as one of southern Africa's top travel destinations. Sunshine, warm weather and long golden stretches of palm-lined sand made Mozambique beaches a paradise. However, independence from Portugal in 1975 sparked a brutal and protracted civil war that reduce...
Just off the northern coast and linked to it by a motorable causeway, this historic island served as the Portuguese capital in East Africa from 1530 until it was usurped by Lourenco Marques (Maputo) in 1898. It was more recently inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its trove of magnificent ...
Overview Introduction Mrauk-U, Myanmar, 180 mi/290 km southwest of Mandalay, was the capital of the Arakan empire in what's more recently known as Rakhine state during the 15th-18th centuries. Today, the empire is gone, but its ruins remain—go to Mrauk-U (pronounced mraw-oo ) to visit the ancien...
This well-known national park centers on towering Mount Rainier, Washington's tallest peak at 14,410 ft/4,392 m high, crowned by glaciers. Underneath the scenic mantle of snow lies an active volcano. The volcano's last eruption occurred more than 500 years ago, but occasional rumblings and mud flow ...
As Europe's only monastic state (since 1060), Mount Athos, Greece, is a truly fascinating area. Located on a peninsula in the Aegean, 100 mi/160 km east of Thessaloniki and 175 mi/280 km north of Athens, Mount Athos is a spiritual center for the Eastern Orthodox Church and is home to 20 monasteries....
Overview Introduction Named for one of the ships of explorer James Ross and located on Ross Island, Mount Erebus is one of three active volcanoes on the Antarctic continent and the southernmost active volcano in the world. Scientists estimate that the volcano erupts at least once or twice a day. ...
An almost perfectly conical volcano, Mount Fuji is a familiar symbol of Japan, located 70 mi/115 km southwest of Tokyo. It is 12,388 ft/3,774 m high and beautifully snow-capped in winter. Ascending the mountain in summer does not require any special mountain-climbing skills or equipment, though it d...
This provincial center of Western Highlands Province lies at 6,000 ft/1,830 m. It offers an excellent, cool climate—days average 75 F/24 C—and a wild, primitive feeling. Attractions include tribal villages, beautiful mountains, coffee plantations, jungle scenery and waterfalls. Your introduction to ...
Overview Introduction This area is known for its bat guano, which is mined from the many limestone caves in the area. The local Pygmies (Wambute tribe) have seen many tourists before you—although probably not recently—so don't expect a "pure" tribal experience. There's a lodge in the vicinity, ne...
Mount Kenya, more than 17,000 ft/5,200 m high and 100 mi/160 km north of Nairobi, is actually made up of several peaks (and 12 glaciers). The area above 8,000 ft/2,480 m is protected forest, and the area above 10,500 ft/3,200 m is designated as the park. Animals living there include cape buffalo, el...
Africa's tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro is truly one of the most impressive sights on the continent. "Kili" can be seen from various points in northern Tanzania, and even as far away as Tsavo and Amboseli parks in Kenya. Part of its spectacular appeal is that Kilimanjaro is not part of a mounta...
The tallest mountain east of the Mississippi, Mount Mitchell (6,684 ft/2,037 m) is located in Mount Mitchell State Park, 25 mi/40 km northwest of Asheville. You can drive to the top, and the short walk to the observation point will reward you with some spectacular views if it's a clear day. A numb...
Overview Introduction Central Africa's highest mountain (9,848 ft/3,002 m) is surrounded by a region famous for its tea plantations, trout-filled streams and fragrant cedar forests. Mountaineers and hikers will be pleased to find huts available for overnighting on the mountainside (reservations r...
At 4,583 ft/1,397 m, Mount Pelee is the tallest mountain on Martinique—even without its top, which blew off in the 1902 eruption. Though smoke occasionally wisps out of its crater today, the volcano has not erupted since 1929, and scientists do not expect it to erupt again anytime soon. There are s...
Located in the southwestern part of the state, 35 mi/56 km southwest of Rapid City, Mount Rushmore is one of the most famous landmarks in the U.S. and the draw that started the Black Hills tourism boom. The likenesses of four U.S. presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and T...
Located near Castle Rock, Mount St. Helens was the site of a staggering volcanic eruption in 1980. The explosive eruption blew 1,312 ft/400 m off the top of Mount St. Helens. Rock, snow and ice produced an avalanche traveling down the mountain at 200 mph/322 kph. The avalanche poured into Spirit Lak...
Formerly Umtata, the rough-and-tumble town of Mthatha, South Africa, 370 mi/600 km south of Johannesburg, once served as the capital of the Transkei, an apartheid-era "independent" Xhosa homeland that was reintegrated into South Africa following the release of its most famous son: Nelson Mandela. T...
Mtskheta was home to the first Christian church in Georgia, now the cathedral of Svetitskhoveli, which was built over the tomb of Sidonia, a woman who died clutching the robe of Christ. She is said to have been buried with it. Mtskheta was the capital of the eastern Georgian kingdom of Iberia from...
Overview Introduction This resort town on the Atlantic Ocean offers nice beaches—a good place to spend one or two nights. 230 mi/370 km southwest of Kinshasa.
Located in Laos' far northwest corner, 472 mi/760 km northwest of Vientiane, near the borders with Myanmar and China, Muang Sing is a good place to see some of the country's most colorful hill-tribe people. Once the largest opium market in the Golden Triangle, Muang Sing still has a number of opium ...
The port of Muara is Brunei's only deepwater port and is a great way to enter this tiny country. Developments started there with coal mining at the Brooketon Colliery, which closed in 1924. Muara's main attraction is its beautiful mile-/kilometer-long white-sand beach, perfect for relaxing during ...
Named for the Byzantine princess Modrene, Mudurnu, Turkey, is a small town south of the main Istanbul-Ankara highway, 100 mi/160 km northwest of Ankara. It's a good place for an overnight stop, with its beautifully preserved and decorated wooden houses from the Ottoman period, a lovely old Turkish...
Overview Introduction Once the center of Bahrain's pearl trade, Muharraq is where you'll find the main airport. The city is connected to Manama by a short causeway. Attractions in town include the picturesque old town, the Abu Mahir Fort and the National Museum and Civic Center. The National Mus...
Mui Ne's status as the rising star of Vietnamese tourism is because of its geography. The curved southern coast bay looks out over 7 mi/11 km of impossibly perfect tropical beach (which is, administratively, a part of larger Phan Thiet to the west), shaded by coconut palms and with a gentle arc arou...
Overview Introduction This mountain town merits a night's visit for its cool climate and special atmosphere. The local peaches are extraordinary. 95 mi/155 km northeast of Aden .
Overview Introduction In this centrally located city (pop. 773,000), look for blue-tiled monuments, the 14th-century tomb of Rukn-i-Alam, a good bazaar and local handicrafts. 250 mi/400 km south of Islamabad.
Mumbai—or Bombay, as it was known until 1997—remains India's city of dreams. It is so dynamic that immigrants still flock there in hopes of becoming successful entrepreneurs. Despite its rich heritage and friendly citizens, Mumbai can overwhelm foreigners with its sheer headcount, smells and sounds...
Munich is the third largest city in Germany, after Berlin and Hamburg. It is undeniably a city of revelers, yet there's much more to Munich than Oktoberfest and the city's reputation as the beer-brewing capital of the world. Munich is Germany's tech hub (Silicon Bavaria), one of its film and publ...
Murfreesboro, Arkansas, located 100 mi/160 km southwest of Little Rock, is most noted for the nearby Crater of Diamonds State Park, the only diamond mine in the U.S. What's more, you can dig for the gems and keep what you find. (In 2004, a couple from Rochester, New York, took home a 2.68-carat diam...
The medium-sized town of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, about 35 mi/55 km southeast of Nashville, is the site of Stones River National Battlefield, where a crucial Civil War engagement was fought in late December 1862 and early January 1863. The bloody three-day affair ended more or less in a draw, but th...
The largest city in the world north of the Arctic Circle, in the zone of the eternal frost and 630 mi/1,015 km north of St. Petersburg, Murmansk, Russia, is a port town and base for the Northern Fleet (submarines). It's said that Murman translated as the "end of the Earth" when the town was named—...
A 25-minute drive south of Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, is a picturesque fishing village—a quiet alternative to Myrtle Beach's hustle and bustle. Murrells Inlet hosts the Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival, a juried show, every September. It's also the site of Brookgreen Gardens. ...
Overview Introduction A wild and barren peninsula of ochre mountains, Musandam has some of the most remarkable scenery in the Arabian Peninsula. Cut off from the main body of Oman by the poorer coastal emirates of the United Arab Emerites, it's quite a drive from Muscat but well worth a three-day...
Oman's capital, Muscat, lies on the Gulf of Oman coast. It is not one city but rather a combination of three urban areas and a number of districts strewn over 80 sq mi/130 sq km. Because of the hills scattered throughout the area, the three towns have remained distinct entities. The chief city, so...
A lot of regional culture flows through this area, which was once known for a treacherous series of rapids on the Tennessee River. (The rapids have since been tamed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Tennessee Valley Authority—the area's Wilson Dam has one of the world's highest single-lift navi...
Muskogee is known to most people as the place where folks don't smoke marijuana (and don't do a lot of other things, either), claims made in Merle Haggard's late-1960s hit "Okie from Muskogee." It's the home of the Five Civilized Tribes Museum, which is housed in a restored Indian Agency building. I...
The quiet, spellbinding Mustique Island, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, is quite small, but it looms large on the list of exclusive vacation getaways. Mustique's development began in 1958, when the island was purchased by Colin Tennant. A few years later, he gave Princess Margaret some land on...
Mwanza is one of the best places in Tanzania to see Lake Victoria, though it is far off the usual tourist itinerary despite being the country's second largest city. It has an attractive setting on the lakeshore and is dominated by Bismarck Rock—a massive outcrop of granite rocks. Founded in 1892 a...
To many, Myanmar presents a dilemma. On the one hand, it has a timeless beauty—it feels like something out of a dream. It's one of the last remaining places where you can catch a glimpse of Old Asia—of men and women in traditional longyis walking beside golden pagodas and dilapidated colonial bui...
With a history dating from around 3000 BC, the Mycenae region is one of the longest inhabited areas in Greece. Mycenae's citadel dates from before the Trojan Wars, around 1550 BC to 1200 BC, although it wasn't uncovered until 1874. Entering through the famous Lion Gate, you can explore the remains...
Set like gems in the sparkling blue Aegean Sea, each of the Cyclades islands has its own character. For Mykonos, the local culture is a mix of the sacred and the profane. This island is the gateway to the neighboring unoccupied island of Delos, the sacred center of the Cyclades. With more than a ...
Overview Introduction Surrounded by rice paddies and jute (a plant often used to make burlap) plantations, this city is the capital of a district with many indigenous tribal people. Don't bother spending much time along the outskirts of town; go straight to the sadar , the walled town center, an...
Overview Introduction This beautiful, mountainous nature area is usually seen as part of an overnight trip from the capital. Although time is often allowed for hiking, the primary attraction is the International Friendship Exhibition, a six-story museum of gifts given to Kim Il Sung and Kim Jung ...
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the center of the Grand Strand—a 60-mi/97-km strip of clean, sandy shoreline that stretches from Calabash, North Carolina, to Georgetown, South Carolina. But if you're looking for quiet ambience, be forewarned—Myrtle Beach has more in common with Orlando than Hilt...
In the hill country of southwestern India, 540 mi/870 km southeast of Mumbai, the Mysore region is cooler than the coastal cities—one of the reasons so many maharajahs chose to live there. The main sight in Mysore is the Mysore Palace built in Indo-Sarcenic style with beautiful domes, arches, turr...
Mystic, Connecticut, on Long Island Sound, makes a lovely day's visit, especially for families. There's plenty for the kids to see. Topping the list is the Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium. Other sights in town include Olde Mistick Village (shops and restaurants) and two historic houses, Whit...
Once an ancient military outpost, the site of Mystra (or Mystras) in the center of the Peloponnese Peninsula is an extraordinarily complete example of a Byzantine city. The last Byzantine emperor's headquarters, Mystra has fine Byzantine relics and architecture—allow several hours. Not as much rem...
Overview Introduction This colorful valley region has five ksour (fortified towns): Ghardaia, Beni Izguen , Melika , Guerrara and El Atteuf . The villages offer a glimpse of traditional life with their pyramid-shaped mosques, small souks (markets) and winding streets. If this appeals to y...
Overview Introduction In the far north, Mzuzu is the biggest regional center in northern Malawi and is mainly visited on the way to Tanzania or the northern parts of Lake Malawi. The town has an airport, a few shops, a good hotel, several restaurants and local guesthouses, and a good hospital. 1...
A list of travel tips and tricks for m.
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