Dates Released For 2025 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Spring Blooms Ahead: EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival 2025 Get ready to stop and smell the roses … and the orchids, and the geraniums, and the citrus blossoms! The ...
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Sa Dec is a sprawling port city in the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam. The city is more focused on business and agriculture than tourism, but that gives visitors a chance to see an authentic Vietnamese town. Sa Dec has a population of roughly 200,000, and a significant number of residents are Ch...
Located about 65 mi/105 km north of Dar es Salaam, Saadani is the only major East African national park with an Indian Ocean beachfront, and it is as important to marine wildlife (especially the turtles that breed on its beaches) as it is to more familiar safari creatures such as elephant, lion, buf...
Estonia includes more than 1,500 offshore islands. The largest, Saaremaa, is about 80 mi/130 km southwest of Tallinn and was off-limits to visitors for more than 50 years. That had the unintended effect of preserving much of the island's old way of life—except for fishing. The Soviets worried the is...
Over the years, Saba (pronounced SAY-buh ) has become one of our favorite Caribbean islands, but it's definitely not for those seeking the typical Caribbean beach vacation. This tiny island—little more than a dormant volcano, really—looks uninhabited, and it almost is. The 1,500 people who call Sa...
Malaysia's second-largest state, Sabah is located 975 mi/1,570 km east of Kuala Lumpur.on the northeastern tip of the island of Borneo. Tourism Malaysia calls it "the land of eco-treasures"—and that's not just hype. Opportunities to get close to nature range from trekking up the tallest peak in Mala...
Overview Introduction This ancient city was once ruled by Carthaginian and Numidian kings before falling under Greek and then Roman rule. Although not quite as impressive as Leptis Magna, it offers unique houses (some two-stories tall) with colorful mosaic floors and paintings from the seventh ce...
Sacramento, California's, role in the gold rush of the mid-1840s gave the city its nostalgic charm, but that's just a part of this capital city's appeal. Although historic Old Sacramento re-creates the city's gilded history, modern Sacramento's high-rises, high-tech industry and burgeoning art scen...
Overview Introduction A desert town near the Saudi border, Sa'da is surrounded by a 1,000-year-old clay wall. Walking on the wall affords an unforgettable view. Sa'da has unique four- and five-story adobe buildings with narrow slits for windows. Be sure to visit the Al Hadi mosque (non-Muslims ca...
Overview Introduction Safaga is an industrial port that is used by cruise lines as the gateway to Luxor. Luxor is three and a half hours away by bus. Location Traveling to Luxor makes for a very long touring day, and it is recommended to take the ship sponsored excursion rather than an altern...
Safranbolu, Turkey, is a must-see for anyone interested in Ottoman houses and architecture. Most of this town 155 mi/250 km north of Ankara is under historic preservation and gives a glimpse of domestic life 200 years ago. Safranbolu hasn't been artificially renovated to suit tourists—it's genuine, ...
Overview Introduction Set on the western bank of the Ayeyarwady, 15 mi/20 km southwest of Mandalay, Sagaing is the center of Buddhism in Myanmar. The surrounding hills are covered with pagodas, stupas and cave temples—some 5,000 monks make their homes in more than 500 monasteries in the area. The...
Most cruises embarking for the Saint Lawrence and Saguenay Fjord region begin in Montreal or Quebec. Both cities are large and maintain a variety of transportation options for arriving and departing the city, including air, train and vehicle. The majority of the settlements in the Saguenary Fjord ...
Overview Introduction Occupying most of Algeria, this fascinating and exciting region should be visited by everyone at some point in a lifetime. There are three primary routes that can be considered: RN1, which runs from Algiers to Tamanrasset and is by far the most popular (from north to south, ...
Overview Introduction With distances so long and public transportation a bit slow, it's a good idea to book a tour with a travel agency or hire a local guide if driving your own four-wheel-drive vehicle. Ghadames is the nearest desert spot to Tripoli. But the most impressive landscapes are farthe...
Saint John, New Brunswick, also known as "Port City," has some of the highest tides in the world. It's situated where the mouth of the mighty St. John River meets the Bay of Fundy. The funnel-shaped dip in the Atlantic coastline creates tides of up to 55 ft/17 m twice a day. At high tide, the water...
For many, the name St. Emilion conjures up the taste of rich red wines, but the town itself (about 25 mi/40 km northeast of Bordeaux) is worth a visit. St. Emilion is elegant and cozy, with lots of cobbled streets, medieval buildings and romantic views. It is surrounded by vineyards as far as the ...
The ancient walled city of St. Malo was once a home base for fierce corsairs (pirates), but now the city is a popular destination for visitors touring Brittany, France. St. Malo is made up of several districts, though the most popular for tourists is the Old Town, located within the walls of the c...
Former capital of the Trust Territory of the Pacific, Saipan (pop. 62,392) is the current capital of the Commonwealth. This small island (14 mi/22 km long and 5 mi/8 km wide) is modern and somewhat overbuilt, but its marine sports, excellent golf courses and active nightlife draw visitors (primarily...
The smallest of Kenya's national parks, Saiwa Swamp is less than 1 sq mi/2 sq km. Located 225 mi/360 km northwest of Nairobi, this park was created specifically to protect the rare sitatunga antelope, a shy and unusual animal that lives in swamps and, when threatened, will submerge itself beneath th...
In Saudi Arabia's northern region, about 550 mi/885 km north of Mecca, Sakakah is an excellent base for viewing area sights. South of town are the ancient standing stones of Rajajil. Just to the west, near the town of Al Jawf, you'll find the magnificent second-century-BC fortress Qasr Marid and the...
Overview Introduction Scenic surroundings and a spectacular gorge are among the main attractions of this city. Originally sited lower down the hill, Saki was moved to its present location after a devastating flood. Long famed as a silk center, it was once the site of the Soviet Union's largest si...
Overview Introduction Thanks to its location on the shores of the Indian Ocean, Oman's largest southern city benefits from the monsoons in June and July, which turn the dry landscape into a lush green expanse of rivers and thick vegetation. The summer temperatures are cooler than in much of the c...
Originally a fortified Roman camp, the historic university town of Salamanca, Spain, is an architectural delight with its narrow cobblestoned streets and buildings carved from a unique golden stone. The town used to be a summer resort for Madrid's wealthiest families (only 130 mi/210 km to the so...
Overview Introduction Now part of Turkish Cyprus, this ruined city was the capital of ancient Cyprus and the most impressive of the 10 Cyprus city-kingdoms. The site of a famous Greek victory over the Persians in 449 BC, it was hit by serious earthquakes in AD 76 and AD 331, which tumbled parts o...
Salaspils, Latvia, has seen much suffering: A terrible battle nearby killed thousands in 1605, and more than 100,000 died in a Nazi concentration camp there. Salaspils was also the site of Latvia's nuclear reactor that has recently stopped operating. The town is 11 mi/18 km southeast of Riga.
Overview Introduction The pride of this province in southern Laos, 300 mi/485 km southeast of Vientiane, is the Bolaven Plateau, a scenic area of waterfalls, forests and coffee plantations. The indigenous Bolaven (Phu Thai) tribes, who live in houses arranged in circles, hold water-buffalo sacrif...
Overview Introduction Salaverry is a small port town that serves as the gateway for cruise ship passengers visiting Trujillo, Peru's second-largest city. Salaverry is not very touristy, but the unique culture of the Moche and Chimi people is a compelling reason to check out the area. However, mos...
The town of Salem, Massachusetts, 15 mi/25 km northeast of Boston, is best known for the witch trials Puritans held there in 1692. Based on the accusations of a small group of children and women, 20 people were put to death on the suspicion that they were involved with witchcraft (19 were hanged, on...
Salem, Oregon's capital city, is well-located: It's an hour south of Portland, an hour from the beach and less than an hour from the Cascade Mountains. One of the state's oldest cities, Salem also sits in the midst of a rich agricultural valley and is the home of Willamette University, the oldest in...
Located on the eastern extreme of Italy's famous Amalfi Coast, Salerno is a large port city with a well-preserved historic district, long waterfront walkway and vibrant southern Italian atmosphere. In the Middle Ages, Salerno was a center of learning and culture, and became famous as home to the wor...
Near Stonehenge, 75 mi/120 km southwest of London, the town of Salisbury, England, merits a visit to see its enormous cathedral (you'll see its spire long before you get there) and the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum. This and other fine buildings are within the walled streets of the Cathedral ...
Salisbury, Maryland, is a relatively large inland town near the Delaware border, 85 mi/135 km southeast of Baltimore. Salisbury can be used as a base to see area sights, among which are the early-1800s Poplar Hill Mansion, as well as the Downtown Plaza and Newton Historic Districts. We also recommen...
Overview Introduction Salisbury, the county seat of Rowan County, was settled by Scot-Irish and Germans and figured in both the American Revolution and the Civil War. At different times in 1781, Patriot Gen. Nathanael Greene and British Gen. Charles Cornwallis called it their headquarters. During...
The Salmon River bisects Idaho from east to west and empties into the Snake River just south of Lewiston. The Salmon—one of the longest undammed rivers in the U.S.—is also called the "River of No Return" because treacherous rapids allowed early explorers and traders to go down the river, but not bac...
North of Salmonier, Newfoundland and Labrador, on Highway 90 is Salmonier Nature Park, which contains natural-habitat enclosures that are home to disabled wildlife. Among the animals in this preserve 35 mi/55 km southwest of St. John's are rough-legged hawks, snowy owls, bald eagles, peregrine fal...
Salt Cay Island, slung below Grand Turk at the far eastern end of the Turks and Caicos chain, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Among the inhabited islands in the Turks and Caicos, it is the most difficult to access, requiring a domestic flight. Its residents are friendly enough to offer you a ride i...
Located between Cooper and Peter Islands (south of Tortola), Salt Island, British Virgin Islands, doesn't offer a lot. The two salt-evaporation ponds are perhaps the most notable features, although they're not much to visit. It's the sea surrounding the island that's the draw, offering excellent div...
Salt Lake City, Utah, owes much to its Mormon pioneer heritage. Evidence of its religious roots can be found everywhere, from the spires of the granite temple at the center of downtown to the statues and monuments dedicated to the city's founding fathers. But Salt Lake City is far more than a cit...
Salta, Argentina, founded in 1582, still has a very Spanish feel. That's ironic, because this city 800 mi/1,290 km northwest of Buenos Aires is where the decisive battle for Argentine independence from Spain took place. There is also plenty of Inca history mixed in. The capital of the Salta province...
Saltillo, Mexico, lies in a magnificent scenic region of canyons and mountains 50 mi/80 km southwest of Monterrey, but otherwise has a lot of industrial sprawl. The downtown area, which is built around two plazas, has maintained its colonial charm, however. Plan to visit the Cathedral of Santiago an...
Overview Introduction Located 260 mi/415 km northwest of Montevideo, on the Argentine border, Salto, Uruguay, is a surprise: a cow town with a good art museum, the Museo de Bellas Artes y Artes Decorativas. There's also an anthropological museum, a history museum and a sculpture museum dedicated ...
Salvador, Brazil's coastal former capital, is a striking city 750 mi/1,200 km northeast of Rio de Janeiro. It lies on the beautiful Bay of All Saints (Bahia de Todos os Santos), the second-largest bay in the country. There is a strong African influence derived from the slaves brought to work in the...
Running southward from Dakar toward the Sine-Saloum Delta, the Petite Cote (Small Coast) is now the hub of Senegal's tourist industry, thanks to its succession of sandy swimming beaches and the many hotels and resorts that line them. The main tourist focus there is the small town of Saly Portudal, w...
Lovely Salzburg, located 155 mi/240 km west of Vienna, is Austria's premier tourist city—it's as popular with Austrians as it is with visitors from the rest of the world. As a result, it can feel overrun with tourists during the summer high season—especially August. If you're going then, be prepa...
A cultural oddity in a country usually associated with Columbus and Spanish domination, the town of Samana, 65 mi/105 km northeast of Santo Domingo, was founded in the 1750s and later settled by English-speaking U.S. slaves in the 1820s. This came about through the efforts of U.S. abolitionists and...
Samar, the third-largest island in the Philippines, has caves, Sohoton National Park and the Blanca Aurora Waterfall, near Gandara. Samar also has good beaches and hot springs. It is situated 290 mi/465 km southeast of Manila.
Overview Introduction There's not much to see on this 60-acre/25-hectare island, although it is a nice place to walk around. Its main town (on the harbor), now small and sleepy, was once an important port before it was destroyed by the Japanese during World War II. You can reach Samarai by ferry ...
Samarkand, Uzbekistan, has some of the largest and most finely decorated sights along the Silk Road. Central Asia conqueror Tamerlane (more properly known as Timur) made it his capital in the late 1300s and brought in the best builders and craftspeople to make it imposing and beautiful. But even bef...
Overview Introduction Once an ancient capital and major trading center, Samaxi was nearly destroyed over the centuries by repeated earthquakes. Some old buildings have survived, however, and are worth seeing. Notable among them are a royal mausoleum, a fortress and a 19th-century mosque on the si...
Samburu National Game Reserve, 150 mi/240 km northeast of Nairobi, is rich in species not seen in southern Kenya's more famous parks—Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, kudu and gerenuk (an unusual antelope that spends much of its time on its hind legs reaching up to trees). You'll also have a good ...
Overview Introduction Samcheok is a quaint fishing village and beach town 120 mi/190 km east of Seoul in the middle of a coal-rich area. Within an easy drive are the Yongchu Waterfalls; Seongnyu Limestone Cave; the Jukseo, Mangyang and Wolseong pavilions; and the Baegam and Deokgu Hot Springs. Tw...
The nation that was once called Western Samoa is now simply Samoa. Sometimes it's also referred to as independent Samoa, a particularly apt name for this Polynesian island group, where people still very much go their own way, as they have for more than three millennia. Indeed, life in this widely s...
Samos, Greece, is known for its beauty and for those said to have been born there: Hera, queen of the Greek gods; Pythagoras, the philosopher and mathematician; and Epicurus, the philosopher who believed that a simple life of pleasure was the highest good. The island is dotted with green wooded hi...
The small village of San Agustin, Colombia, lies in the center of an assemblage of ancient archaeological sites noted for their stone monoliths, in one of the most beautiful areas in the entire country. The civilization existed there AD 500-1100 and remains a mystery to this day: All that's known a...
Located on the plains of western Texas, 230 mi/370 km southwest of Dallas and at the point where the branches of the Concho River come together, San Angelo has more water than most towns in this part of the state. In frontier times, the town grew up around Fort Concho, and the site of the fort is ...
San Antonio, Texas, will forever be associated with the Battle of the Alamo. But the city's Hispanic culture is just as important to its identity. San Antonio is a bit of Mexico, a bit of slick U.S. promotion, and it has an energy that we never get tired of. San Antonio's identity is shaped by a c...
Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, the small Pacific-coast town of San Blas, Mexico, lies between Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta about 140 mi/225 km northwest of Guadalajara. Located on the northern tip of Nayarit, San Blas is a low-key port town and will interest travelers who don't care fo...
Palm-lined beaches, coral-ringed islands and jungle-cloaked mountains make the San Blas Islands, Panama, 65 mi/105 km northeast of Panama City, look a lot like paradise, but the main reason for going there is to spend time with the Kuna people, who have managed to preserve their traditional culture....
Overview Introduction A major island (about 80 mi/130 km long and 20 mi/30 km wide) in Makira Province, seldom visited San Cristobal offers beautiful scenery, tribal culture and excellent diving (especially among the southern reefs). Kira Kira is the administrative center of the island, and sh...
Sprawling across the steep foothills of the Andes, 500 mi/805 km southwest of Caracas, this state capital is most famous for its 10-day festival of San Sebastian held every January. Visitors from dozens of nations congregate there to watch bullfights, folkloric shows and sports events. If you plan t...
A beautiful colonial city in the leafy highlands of Mexico's Chiapas State, San Cristobal de las Casas is a fascinating place to see elements of indigenous cultures that can no longer be found in other locales—although the recent influx of visitors has had a pronounced influence on the city's charac...
San Diego, California, is sunny and mild—not just in weather, but in personality, as well. This is a place where the people are friendly and the sun shines more than 300 days a year. To top it off, San Diego is blessed with considerable natural beauty: broad, gorgeous beaches on its west side, crev...
San Francisco, California, is a world-class destination, a favorite of international travelers and domestic tourists alike. An unmatched spectrum of dining experiences, first-class cultural events, exceptional scenery and a pleasant climate combine for an enjoyable visit. Compared with cities such ...
San Francisco, Mexico, is a small, quiet village in Nayarit where locals ride horses beside the crashing waves of the beach. Enormous banyan trees, situated around the village, provide shade to San Francisco's environmentally conscious population. Examples of green living are evident in the various...
San German, Puerto Rico, is an old town with colonial buildings. Located between Mayaguez and Phosphorescent Bay, it can easily be seen in a few hours. However, if you stay the night you can visit the bay and the beautiful Porta Coeli Chapel, which is now a religious-art museum.
San Gimignano is one of the most charming and picturesque of all the Tuscan hill towns (and that's saying a lot). San Gimignano dates back to the third century BC and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, the town has a few noteworthy historica...
The medium-sized settlement of San Ignacio, on the banks of the Macal River in Belize's hilly western region, is another culturally diverse Belizean town—with quick and easy access to superb natural and historical sites. Its wooden and concrete buildings are picturesque, set against the green of the...
San Jose, Costa Rica, is the country's social, political and commercial center, and it's more cosmopolitan and prosperous than many other cities in Central America. San Jose is a pleasant place to visit, although it has comparatively few colonial structures, and most travelers use it as a stepping ...
San Jose, California, is more than just the unofficial capital of Silicon Valley, the place where the U.S. computer industry took off and created a high-technology world. Palm trees and luxury hotels line busy boulevards in lively downtown San Jose, and the city's trendy restaurants, classy shops an...
As part of Los Cabos—a name bestowed by Mexican tourism officials upon the once-remote Baja California communities—San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas frequently are considered to be the same type of place. However, party-hearty Cabo San Lucas is strictly a resort, while 200-year-old San Jose del ...
San Juan, Puerto Rico, with stunning beaches, is one of the busiest leisure and business travel destinations in the Caribbean. It is especially convenient for U.S. citizens, because they do not need a passport to go to Puerto Rico and the currency there is the U.S. dollar. Old San Juan's walled e...
Located 110 mi/175 km north of Mexico City, San Juan del Rio, Mexico, is primarily an agricultural center, but it is also known for its semiprecious gems (opals are mined locally). The many jewelry shops overflow with already-set opals, or you can also design your own pieces from loose gems. The p...
Located near the border with Costa Rica, San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua, is a fishing village on the Pacific that has become a seaside resort. Located 60 mi/95 km south of Managua, the San Juan Del Sur area offers beaches, rocky vistas and seaside restaurants. Surfing is possible, though the waves are ...
These 172 spectacular islands—lodged between the Olympic Peninsula, northern Puget Sound and Vancouver Island, approximately 70 mi/115 km northwest of Seattle—are a must-see for any visitor to Washington. Fishing villages dot the coves, embracing a simpler time, and many artists reside on the islan...
Straddling Highway 101 between Los Angeles and San Francisco, San Luis Obispo is a quaint, convenient stop-off for travelers on Highway 1, the scenic coast highway. It's the home of California State Polytechnic University and is known for its Thursday Night Farmers Market downtown—one of the best an...
Though an industrial center 225 mi/375 km north of Mexico City, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, has wonderfully preserved colonial architecture (churches and civil buildings) in the downtown section. It's also home to the National Museum of Masks, which displays examples of masks that play a large role in ...
When Napoleon passed through tiny San Marino back in 1797, he was so amused by the nation that he offered to increase its size. His offer was declined, and San Marino remains one of Europe's smallest countries. And it's still amusing to travelers who are just passing through. In fact, San Marino has...
In eastern El Salvador 75 mi/120 km east of San Salvador, San Miguel is near the picturesque 6,994-ft/2,132-m San Miguel Volcano. There is little in the way of sights in San Miguel, but the town itself is intriguing, with bustling street markets, nice parks and a cathedral from the 1700s. It is ...
Founded in 1542 as a way station for wagon trains, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is popular with U.S. and Canadian retirees, artists and writers. The town's centro zone is a national monument and UNESCO World Heritage site, so changes to its beautiful buildings and cobblestoned streets are prohib...
San Miguel de Tucuman is surrounded by beautiful scenery and best known simply as Tucuman. Founded by the Spanish in 1565, Tucuman is a nice place to take a vacation from your vacation in Argentina—it's 660 mi/1,065 km northwest of Buenos Aires, the pace is slow, the year-round climate is mild (60s-...
The now-sleepy town of San Nicolas was at the heart of Aruba's economy for most of the 20th century, when oil was king. In the 1800s, the Aruba Phosphate Company provided high revenues for the island by exporting its product. The oil industry's need for labor brought foreigners from as many as 40 di...
San Pedro, Chile, is a charming colonial village, with a large central square, the 18th-century adobe San Pedro Church, and streets lined with low-rise shops, restaurants and small hotels and hostels. Barely an hour southeast of Calama and 1,040 mi/1,678 km north of Santiago, San Pedro is at an ele...
The country's manufacturing and commercial center, San Pedro Sula is the fastest-growing city in Honduras and one of the most prosperous. Many foreign companies have set up operations there, especially U.S. textile companies. Located 110 mi/175 km northwest of Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula will most l...
The peaceful town of San Rafael, California, the government seat of Marin County, is home to a replica of the 1817 Mission San Rafael Archangel, the Falkirk Cultural Center (built in 1888) and the Marin History Museum. The city makes a great base for exploring the rest of Marin County. Downtown San...
The capital of El Salvador and its largest city, San Salvador is a bustling place with massive traffic jams during rush hour. The ongoing construction of expressways adds to the slowdowns. Though it was established in 1546, most of San Salvador's colonial buildings were destroyed by various earthq...
Also known by its Basque name of Donostia, the beautiful city of San Sebastian, Spain, is picturesque, expensive and one of the most fashionable spots to spend the summer. Long the chosen summer escape for kings, political figures and celebrities (especially during its international movie festiva...
Few places in the U.S. are as opulent as the Hearst Castle, which publisher William Randolph Hearst built in 1919 in the hills above San Simeon, California. It is roughly the halfway point between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Outfitted with imported treasures from around the world (ancient Greek v...
San Vicente, El Salvador, a charming town with a soaring white clock tower, is picturesquely situated in a valley beneath a twin-peaked volcano 28 mi/45 km east of San Salvador. Stroll down the cobblestoned streets, past red-roofed houses, and see the town square and El Pilar, one of El Salvador's o...
Sana'a, Yemen's capital (pop. 972,000), is the oldest city in the country. In many ways, it hasn't changed in centuries: It's a beautiful and fascinating city of unique architecture and veiled women. Among its attractions is the world's first skyscraper—the 2,000-year-old, multistoried Palace of Gh...
This small hilltop town 115 mi/185 km southeast of Warsaw, Sandomierz, Poland, is a nice stop en route to Krakow from Warsaw. Guided tours are available for the burghers' houses on the main square, the 14th-century town hall and the 15th-century cellars beneath the town square.
Sandpoint, Idaho, is a folksy arts-oriented community on the north shore of Lake Pend Oreille (pronounced pon-duh-RAY ). Located 305 mi/490 km north of Boise, Sandpoint is a center for watersports (fishing, swimming, sailing, boating) and mountain activities (hiking, mountain biking, horseback ridi...
Overview Introduction This summer resort area is where you'll find Cedar Point, which is known as the roller-coaster capital of the world. There, you'll find 17 roller coasters and more than 50 other rides. It is one of three must-see theme parks in the state. (The others are Paramount's Kings Is...
On the western end of Cape Cod, Sandwich, Massachusetts, established in 1637, is the cape's oldest town. The Sandwich Glass Museum displays the products of a glass factory founded in 1825. Demonstrations are offered several times a day. Thornton W. Burgess, Sandwich son and author of the Peter Rab...
The seafront Sandy Ground Village is the launching point for many of Anguilla's boat races and has some interesting architecture and history. On the main road, for example, is the Old Manse, a photogenic, three-gabled house that dates from the early 1900s. Of similar age is the White House by Sa...
Overview Introduction This area of rain forest is home to Pygmies and other tribes. Sights include the Odzala National Park , Lake Manamingoye and Mount Nabemba (the highest peak in the country). 365 mi/590 km north of Brazzaville .
Overview Introduction Sani Pass is the only road in Lesotho's northern mountains that goes from Lesotho into South Africa. Only accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicle, it twists dramatically down into the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Mountains, and the views from Lesotho at the top are inspiring. The S...
Accessible from the mainland by toll bridge, Sanibel Island, Florida, is 12 mi/19 km long and some 2 mi/3 km wide. It's pretty and lush, although condo and hotel construction has changed its once pristine, undeveloped character. With lots of full-service resorts, restaurants and shopping, this islan...
Situated near the border with Syria 400 mi/650 km southeast of Ankara, Sanliurfa is Turkey's most Arabic city. More commonly called Urfa, it's a place of religious pilgrimage for Muslims and is extremely conservative—visitors should be aware that it is almost impossible to purchase alcohol there. ...
A pleasant place located 40 mi/65 km northwest of San Salvador, Santa Ana is El Salvador's second-largest city. It's geared to a slower pace than San Salvador. Santa Ana Volcano towers over the town, and sugarcane and coffee are grown in the surrounding region. The city has a striking neo-Gothic...
Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara, California, is all about the outdoors. The weather is comfortable year-round, and visitors as well as residents can ride bikes, walk along the beach or take lazy drives into the hills or through the outlying vineyards. Located north of Los Angeles, San...
The large industrial and university town of Santa Clara, which is 176 mi/276 km (about a three-hour drive) east of Havana, played a pivotal part in the war to topple the Batista dictatorship. In December 1958, a guerrilla army led by Che Guevara defeated Batista's troops there, causing the dictator ...
This attractive large city is Bolivia's richest—you'll see expensive cars and luxury merchandise for sale (and plenty of affordable arts and crafts as well). The people of the city and the department (Santa Cruz), known as Cambas, are very proud of their success. By any measure, the Santa Cruz regio...
Located 65 mi/105 km south of San Francisco, Santa Cruz is in many ways the quintessential California town, combining a laid-back counterculture atmosphere with plenty of shore activities and, of course, surfing. The historic boardwalk contains one of the oldest amusement-park areas on the West Coas...
With the largest port on La Palma Island, Santa Cruz de la Palma (often called, confusingly, La Palma) is a popular destination, and for good reason. Visitors to the city enjoy the cobblestoned streets and delicately beautiful Spanish colonial mansions, as well as the quirky shops and abundance of l...
A stop on Santa Cruz Island is often the highlight of visits to the Galapagos because it is the place to see giant tortoises, both in the wild and in captivity. At the Charles Darwin Research Station, visitors can observe baby tortoises being bred for release on their native islands. The station's m...
These remote and rarely visited small islands (mostly coral atolls) offer superlative ocean, lagoon and beach swimming, dinghy and canoe rides, shopping for local handicrafts (masks and wood carvings) and small, basic accommodations (government rest houses). A great place to relax, they're in Temotu...
The rich cultural heritage of Santa Fe, New Mexico, is apparent everywhere—from the Native Americans selling goods on the Plaza to the Hispanic influence of its chili-flavored menus and the still-entrenched feel of the Wild West. The adobe buildings of Santa Fe line its twisting streets, and in the...
Santa Fe, also known as Barrington, has vegetation as unusual as the wildlife. Giant Opuntia cacti stud the hillsides of this small island between San Cristobal and Santa Cruz. Some of the cacti stand 32 ft/10 m tall. Although difficult to find, the Santa Fe land iguanas are endemic to the island an...
Santa Fe de Antioquia, Colombia, is an appealing and well-preserved colonial town in the Cauca River valley, about 37 mi/60 km north of Medellin. It was the colonial capital of the province of Antioquia and retains the flavor of the period with well-preserved architecture and a beautiful cobbled pla...
Overview Introduction A relatively long, narrow island (120 mi/195 km long and 10 mi/15 km wide), Santa Isabel is reached by flying into Buala on the east coast. It's quite beautiful—we stayed one night and wished we had more time. Kia , a village in the northwest, is built on stilts over the ...
Overview Introduction Located 168 mi/270 km north of Los Angeles, Santa Maria, California, is famous for its traditional style of barbecue. Check out the Barbecue Hall of Fame at the local historical society museum. Addition sights include the Dunes Center, home to the 1923 movie set for The Ten...
You shouldn't miss Santa Marta, Colombia, located 450 mi/725 km north of Bogota. The oldest city in Colombia (founded 1525), it has a splendid beach-lined shore backed by the highest coastal mountain range in the world. Santa Marta is divided into old and new towns. The new part is unexceptional. In...
Overview Introduction This quaint, picturesque village (pop. 11,857) is home to the pretty Namo Falls Botanical Gardens and a large number of mango trees. 11 mi/18 km southwest of Hagatna.
Overview Introduction The largest town in the Sonoma region, Santa Rosa, is 55 mi/88 km north of San Francisco.
Located on top of a hill overlooking pine-covered mountains, 125 miles/200 km northwest of Tegucigalpa, Santa Rosa Copan is a pleasant town that has colonial architecture and a large cigar factory, La Flor de Copan, that is open to the public by appointment. Santa Rosa is also known for its colorf...
On the Pacific coast, Santa Rosa National Park was the scene of Costa Rica's most famous military victory in 1856. An army, led by U.S. adventurer William Walker, invaded from neighboring Nicaragua and fought fiercely for about 15 minutes before being defeated by Costa Ricans. The park is now the ...
Although often overlooked on foreign visitors' itineraries of Spain, Santander, with its lovely beaches and gardens, has been a popular summer resort for more than a century among well-heeled guests from other parts of Spain. It's also a good base from which to explore the surrounding region of Cant...
Situated along the Amazon River between Manaus and Belem, Santarem is 870 mi/1,400 km upriver from the Paraense capital. Once you get to it, the sleepy port town is ideally located for discovering still-virgin patches of the Amazon forest. Santarem lies at the junction of the Amazon and the Tapajos ...
Located 50 mi/80 km northeast of Lisbon and nestled on the western bank of the Tagus River, Santarem, Portugal, offers such attractions as the Portas do Sol (a pretty walled park with stunning views of the river and surrounding plains), occasional bullfighting and an agricultural fair in June. San...
Santiago, like Chile in general, has enjoyed a renaissance of cultural, intellectual and especially commercial activity for more than two consecutive decades. The Andes Mountains overlook Santiago's eastern edge, and their snowy peaks provide good hiking, skiing, rafting and kayaking—and the beach ...
Also known as San Salvador or James, Santiago is the fifth-largest and one of the most visited of the Galapagos Islands. It is uninhabited, and there was a failed attempt at colonizing it in the 1930s. There are three visitor sites, and the two on the western coast of the island are Puerto Egas and ...
The Dominican Republic's second-largest city, formally named Santiago de los Caballeros, lies in the heart of the cigar-producing Cibao Valley about 80 mi/130 km northwest of Santo Domingo. However, this sprawling city is not a popular tourist destination. Its colonial core, full of historic build...
In the Middle Ages, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, was the third most important religious pilgrimage site after Jerusalem and Rome (according to legend, the apostle James is buried there). Today, it recalls its glory with the Fiesta de Santiago (held every year on 25 July) and the Holy Year Jubilees...
Santiago de Cuba, one of Cuba's oldest cities, lies on the eastern end of the island—485 mi/780 km east of Havana. Founded in 1514 as the country's first capital, this hill city predates Havana and has a distinct architectural style. Earthquakes have damaged it repeatedly: Most of the buildings are...
The Dominican Republic's capital and largest city, Santo Domingo is the oldest city in the Americas. It was founded in 1498 and was Spain's first colonial headquarters in the New World. Today the country’s largest metropolitan area and home to more than 2.9 million people, Santo Domingo is the la...
The lowland city of Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Ecuador, is near the home of the Colorado Amerindians. These native people get their name from their unique appearance: They rub red dye on their skin and hair ( colorado means colored red). The native dress is also unusual, but seldom worn. They ...
Santorini, the southernmost of the Greek Cyclades, has to be one of the world's most dramatically beautiful islands. Its unique topography is the result of a massive volcanic eruption some 3,600 years ago, which blew the middle out of the island to create a caldera, a volcanic crater filled with de...
Overview Introduction Santos is the busiest and largest port in Latin America. Santos is located 50 mi/80 km from Sao Paulo. A taxi between the two cities is quite expensive and the drive takes about two hours. We recommend finding a tourist shuttle bus if possible. Location Cruise ships dock...
Overview Introduction Sanur occupies a happy medium between other Bali beach towns—it's not as frantic as Kuta, and it's not as expensive (or insulated) as Nusa Dua. The white-sand beach, which is lined with outrigger canoes, fronts spacious hotel compounds. The offshore reef makes the water calm...
Founded by a French pirate and named after a French king (Louis XIII), Sao Luis is the bewitching capital of Maranhao and one of Brazil's most beautiful cities. It is 1,430 mi/2,300 km northeast of Rio de Janeiro. Located on an island in the Bay of Sao Marcos, Sao Luis' claim to fame is its colonia...
Sao Paulo—or Sampa, as residents call it—is one of the largest cities in the world, sprawling like a land-guzzling monster. It's full of high-rises, and the streets are an endless bustle of sidewalk traders, shoppers and sharp-suited business folk. Traffic jams in Sao Paulo are ubiquitous. Sao Pau...
The beautiful and rugged island of Sao Tiago (sometimes written on maps as Santiago) in the southern (leeward) part of the chain is the largest and most populous Cape Verde island. It has the most African feel of the islands. Praia (pronounced PRY-ah ) is the country's capital, and it can be a li...
Renowned for its beautiful white beaches and clear blue waters, the country's main island offers a perfect setting for those wishing to sunbathe, snorkel, scuba dive or go deep-sea fishing. If you want to swim, head to Praia Grande, Praia das Sete Ondas (best waves on Sao Tome), Praia das Pombas, Pr...
Unlike Africa's better known island paradises off the east coast of the continent, the island nation of Sao Tome and Principe lies in the Atlantic—in relative obscurity. Although they were once the most bountiful sugar-producing area in the world, these beautiful little islands, separated from Afric...
In the northwest corner of the archipelago, 185 mi/295 km northwest of Praia, this slow-paced windward island is quite pleasant. Hiking to Monte Verde, the island's highest peak, is a must. Its main port, Mindelo, is an agreeable town that offers some nice beaches and bays. It is considered the cu...
Overview Introduction This region in the western Grand Erg is adjacent to both Morocco and Mauritania. It's fairly difficult to reach even the main towns in this area because there aren't many roads. Tindouf is most easily visited from southeastern Morocco. It's also the base for thousands of t...
Sapa, Vietnam, a former French resort town 210 mi/330 km northwest of Hanoi, is tucked into the mountains near the borders with China and Laos. The sight of Vietnam's tallest mountains pushing through the dawn mist is beautiful. It's a good place to encounter some of the many ethnic groups (known ...
This park, in southeastern Liberia near the town of Greenville, came into existence to protect some of West Africa's most significant tracts of rain forest. Although the park area was recently expanded by 50%, large swaths of nearby forest were cleared and sold as lumber to buy arms during the civil...
Located 515 mi/830 km northeast of Tokyo, Sapporo, Japan, is familiar to millions of people around the world as the site of the 1972 Winter Olympics—and to millions more as the home of the Sapporo beer brewery. This Hokkaido island city is one of the most modern in Japan (most buildings are less ...
Saqqara is a special spot because its monuments cover every period of ancient Egyptian history, from the first dynasty to the Ptolemaic and Persian periods. It is located 22 mi/33 km south of Cairo, on the west bank of the Nile. Start your visit to Saqqara with the Step Pyramid in Zoser's mortuary...
Once ravaged by war, today Sarajevo is a symbol of renewal and modernization. Hotels, restaurant, stores and cafes have long since reopened. Modern shopping malls and international branded high-rise hotels have been built, and a normal bustle occurs on the streets. Today, Sarajevo is a fully-functio...
This seaside resort, 100 mi/160 km south of Tirana and a short ferry ride from the Greek island of Corfu, is the gateway to the spectacular scenery along the Albanian Riviera. It is also known as the No. 1 honeymoon spot for Albanians. The town is a popular summer resort with its rocky beaches and h...
Among the early tourists to be smitten by Sarasota, Florida, was circus magnate John Ringling in the Roaring '20s. He scooped up property all around the town, moved the circus's winter home there, and built himself a winter residence, an art museum, a circus museum and a college. All these years ...
Saratoga Springs, New York, is a longtime resort area 30 mi/50 km north of Albany in the north-south corridor between New York City and Montreal, best known for horse racing, its therapeutic baths and Yaddo, the famous artists and writers colony. The aura of its days as a high-society haven still li...
Located 600 mi/965 km east of Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak is a land of many mysteries, from seductive tales of horrifying headhunters to the legend of the first White Rajah, an English adventurer named James Brooke who united the warring indigenous tribes and then settled there in 1839. His family ruled S...
Located about 40 mi/65 km northwest of San Jose, Sarchi enjoys a lovely setting amid mountains and valleys planted with pineapple, sugarcane and coffee. The town is Costa Rica's center of crafts and fine furniture manufacturing, and the presence of numerous, active artists' cooperatives helps ensu...
Sardinia, Italy, is a striking island—the rocks are colored black from basalt, silver from granite, red from porphyry—and it has had great historical and strategic importance. Its location 150 mi/240 km southwest of Rome helps explain why every Mediterranean power has controlled the island at one t...
The ancient Lydian capital of Sardis, Turkey, 205 mi/330 km southwest of Istanbul, is where the process for minting coins was developed. It's also the site of one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor (usually seen as a half-day tour from Izmir). Attractions include the Ionic Temple of Artemis, a ...
This town's second name, Ville Verte (or Green City), comes from the leafy green trees planted during colonial times. Unfortunately, the trees are about the only thing that's thriving in Sarh. Old colonial homes along the Chari River are rotting, factories and hunting lodges are closed, and the peop...
Sarlat (also known as Sarlat-la-Caneda) is a pretty medieval town 90 mi/145 km east of Bordeaux with winding streets, attractive buildings and the "Lantern of the Dead," a 12th-century tower set in a cemetery. This little town is popular as a movie set because the houses, shops and streets seem to...
Site of Buddha's first discourse, Sarnath, India, is as peaceful as nearby Varanasi is hectic. Buddha's teachings are studied in Sarnath, and its atmosphere is more like a campus than a city. It has lovely gardens, temples, a zoo, shrines, an archaeological museum and ruins. Most people go to Sarn...
Sarteneja is a fishing village on the Shipstern Peninsula of Corozal District. Though still off the beaten path, it is beginning to attract both visitors and expats looking for a quieter and more unspoiled side of Belize. Sarteneja, home to a small population of mostly Spanish-speaking lobstermen,...
Saskatchewan, Canada, has an undeserved reputation as a flat and featureless expanse of prairie. In truth, the northern half of the province is covered with lakes and forests where fishing and campfires lure the city-weary traveler. Saskatchewan's central parkland is a delight of rolling hills and...
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan's largest city, is the business and science hub of the province, located 140 mi/225 km northwest of Regina. You might start your tour by walking along the riverbank and over University Bridge to the University of Saskatchewan with its lovely greystone architecture. The univ...
Saturnia, Italy, is a small hilltop village 75 mi/120 km northwest of Rome and halfway between Rome and Florence (west of Orvieto, in Tuscany). Saturnia is known primarily for its sulphur baths and thermal springs (Terme di Saturnia) and the attendant resort complex. It's a good place for those wh...
For travelers, the most apt symbol for Saudi Arabia may be the veil. The country's traditions, influenced by a strict interpretation of Islam, have long mandated that a woman's features be hidden from public view, and a similar concealment seemed to apply to the country as a whole. It has remained l...
Overview Introduction This small but very friendly town, only a 45-minute flight from Cayenne (120 mi/195 km), feels like a frontier trading post. Saul is recommended only for those who have little or no time constraints, but we enjoyed our one-day stay. While there, you can see an interesting fo...
Situated on the St. Marys River that connects Lake Huron to Lake Superior, Sault Ste. Marie (pronounced Soo Saint Marie and often known simply as "the Soo") has been an important site for centuries. Native Americans gathered there to fish, and the French established a mission there in 1668, making...
Sausalito hugs the waterfront just inside the Golden Gate, offering stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, Alcatraz and San Francisco itself. Sausalito also has the San Francisco Bay Model, a hydraulic scale model of the bay housed in an old warehouse on the waterfront, and operated...
At the northern end of Grenada is Sauteurs, the third-largest town and the site of one of the saddest events in the history of Grenada. In 1651, French troops embarked on a campaign to rid the island of Carib Indians. Soldiers surrounded the remaining Caribs on a lonely promontory above the village....
The larger and less developed of the two main islands, Savai'i is primitive in both look and feel. It has no major towns: Its people live in small villages along the coast. Travelers will find great snorkeling, surfing, blowholes, isolated beaches and pools fed by waterfalls (which provide an unbeli...
Savannah . The very name sounds like a southern drawl. With its history, cobblestoned streets, old homes and beautiful gardens, Savannah, Georgia, is everything you think a southern city should be. Add a collection of glorious beaches and coastal lowlands just a short drive away—including Tybee Is...
Just across the border from Thailand, Savannakhet is the country's second-largest city, located 291 mi/470 km southeast of Vientiane. Savannakhet is the most widely visited province in southern Laos, but with the opening of a Friendship Bridge from Mukdahan, Thailand, the town is witnessing a massiv...
The Save (pronounced sah-ve ) Valley Conservancy in Zimbabwe's southern lowveld area, 43 mi/70 km from the small town of Chiredzi, was formed by landowners joining together and taking the fences down between their former farms. The result is a vast wildlife conservation area covering 1236 sq mi/320...
Overview Introduction This primitive volcanic island, populated by friendly people, is the home of the megapod bird, which lays huge eggs in the sand. If your timing is right, observe the Sacrifices to the Megapod Bird ceremony, an ancient ritual that includes kite fishing from a canoe. The hot s...
Overview Introduction In the Lake Region, Savolinna, 180 mi/290 km northeast of Helsinki, deserves a two- or three-night visit to see spectacular scenery, Suruton (a museum in a handsome villa), the 500-year-old Olavinlinna Castle (the impressive setting is beautiful) and Kerimaki, Finland's larg...
Savuti, Botswana, has two luxury camps and a campsite. Savute Elephant Camp has spacious, air-conditioned, well-furnished tents with polished wood floors, big double-sink baths and separate showers, a swimming pool overlooking a waterhole, and quality food. The chalet-style Savute Safari Lodge has...
Northwest of Sun Valley and part of the Sawtooth National Forest, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho, contains three mountain ranges, several beautiful alpine lakes and more than 60 mountain-biking and hiking trails. It is a starting point for excursions on Redfish Lake or float trips on the S...
Overview Introduction This dry, dusty town on the Trans-Mongolian rail line is an inexpensive base for hardy, independent types to see the Gobi Desert (most tour groups prefer Dalanzadgad as an entry point into the Gobi). Hire a Jeep and guide to take you to the interesting rock formations of Ba...
With its bohemian charisma, Sayulita, a fishing village turned tourist hub, offers a jumble of handicrafts shops, small bakeries, chic boutiques and stores with talavera tiles piled in the front yards. Posters cram shop windows offering flamenco, psychic readings, painting classes and yoga. Local ...
Overview Introduction Sayun (pop. 20,000) is the best place to stay while visiting the Hadramawt Mountains area. In town, see the Sultan's Palace, which is now a museum exhibiting archaeological remains, coins from the days of the sultans and displays with themes such as marriage, birth and Arab ...
Scarborough, Tobago's main town, lies on a beautiful bay on the southern coast with a lovely hill as a backdrop. It straggles along the waterfront, where you will find the Scarborough Esplanade, which features a local handicraft market. You can purchase unique handicraft items, leatherwork (such as...
Scarborough, England, located 115 mi/185 km northeast of Manchester, is a classic seaside town well worth a visit for its Victorian grandeur, beautiful sea views and kitschy beachfront (you can take donkey rides on the beach). Walk along the coast and reward yourself with fish-and-chips from one of ...
Overview Introduction The rail center of the country, Schaan dates back at least 1,600 years. There's a ruin of a Roman fort, the Theater am Kirchplatz (international performances and exhibitions), a carnival and several factories (one hard-to-find factory makes and sells great ceramics). The St....
Most people go to Schauffhausen, Switzerland, a small city near the border with Germany, to see Rheinfall, the biggest waterfall in Europe (think wide and mighty, not tall and graceful). The city itself, which is 31 mi/52 km north of Zurich, has a nice Old Town with well-preserved houses that displa...
Overview Introduction This small northern village has scenic mountain trails and two interesting castles (we thought Botst Castle was especially nice). One wooden house dates from 1518, and it serves as a rural museum documenting the frugal life of Liechtenstein's early population. 7 mi/11 km no...
Schenectady, New York, is 15 mi/25 km northwest of Albany and features a large residential area with a host of cultural venues and colleges. Its historic stockade district has several homes dating from the early 1700s. Many are open to the public during the annual walkabout in September, but some ca...
Schengen, Luxembourg, located 25 mi/40 km southeast of Luxembourg City, is known for the 1985 signing of the Schengen treaty, which abolished border controls on people and goods in Schengen countries. This Moselle town is also the southern start point of the Route du Vin, or wine trail. Spend an h...
The bundesland (state) of Schleswig-Holstein, located 61 mi/99 km northwest of Hamburg on the isthmus connecting Germany to Denmark, has coastlines on both the North and the Baltic seas, with some of the most rural stretches of land in the country. Expansive, sandy beaches and flat pastureland c...
Schwyz (pronounced shfeetz ) is a very typical Swiss town near Lucerne in central Switzerland, 20 mi/35 km east of Lucerne. The surrounding canton, also called Schwyz, was one of three founding members of the Swiss Confederation and gave its name to the rest of the country (Switzerland is called "d...
These days, Scotland's vibrant cities have become every bit as popular as its sweeping pastoral landscapes. Glasgow is an important center for architecture and design, and the annual Edinburgh International Festival, one of the largest in the world, gets bigger and zanier every year. The Scottish P...
Scottsbluff, Nebraska, is the principal town of the far western part of the state, located 450 mi/725 km west of Omaha. Travelers know the area mainly for Scotts Bluff National Monument, a massive outcropping rising 800 ft/245 m above the valley floor. It may have been named after Hiram Scott, an ...
Once a simple farm community and now one of the largest cities in Arizona, Scottsdale values a high quality of life centered on a relaxed environment. It is also a city that continually reinvests in itself. An updated streetscape on Scottsdale Road provides a more pedestrian-friendly path through t...
Scranton, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding area were once important to the iron and coal industry. Today, Scranton, which is 125 mi/201 km north of Philadelphia, has several attractions that allow visitors to appreciate the importance of heavy industry in the development of the U.S. The Anthracite...
Visitors to the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro may want to take a side trip to Seagrove, North Carolina, also known as Jugtown. The small town of Seagrove has been home to internationally known pottery for many years. Blessed with large deposits of surface clay, the area has supported communities ...
Just to the west of Panama City is Seaside, Florida, a picturesque and uncluttered town with the quaint look of a late Victorian beachfront village. If Seaside makes you think you've returned to a simpler time—think comfortable cottages, porch swings, evening strolls—well, that's the idea. Seasi...
The combination of water, hills and lush greenery in a mountain setting on the shores of Puget Sound make Seattle, Washington, one of the most beautiful urban areas in the U.S. With its efficient bus system, growing light-rail network and compact downtown district, Seattle is also user-friendly. ...
The hills around Sedona, Arizona, are a magnet for new-age enthusiasts and psychic healers because of their purported vortexes, or psychic-energy sites. But these spiritual seekers don't have this beautiful place to themselves: For nonbelievers as well, Sedona is a welcome oasis sitting beneath mas...
This atoll is not at the top of the list, although it does have its charms. Seenu (also known as Addu), south of the equator and 300 mi/480 km south of Male', is the site of Hithadhoo, the second-largest city in the Maldives. Gan, the southernmost atoll in the archipelago, was once the site of a B...
Segou, the main city of the Bambara tribe, is near the remains of Mbella, the ancient Bambara capital. Segou is a nice place to stop and catch your breath after the dust and congestion of Bamako: It's a calm, tree-lined city with more than its share of friendly people. Monday is market day—a good da...
A perfectly preserved Roman aqueduct is one of the symbols of Segovia, Spain, a city more than 2,000 years old: It's full of structures from the past performing the duties of the present, including many shops, restaurants and hotels housed in ancient buildings. The 1,800-ft/550-m aqueduct itself pro...
Located 85 mi/135 km southeast of Maseru, Sehlabathebe National Park in Lesotho has some wild animals, but it's primarily a place to escape and unwind. There's a rustic lodge and plenty of space for camping (take everything with you). Sehlabathebe can be reached by air, via a decent dirt road (in ...
Overview Introduction This ancient town on the banks of the Indus River is a Muslim pilgrimage center. The Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a 12th-century holy man, is visited by those seeking miracle cures. Nearby Manchar Lake is a good birding site, and a half-day excursion can be made to Raniko...
When the Cayster (Kucuk Menderes) river that had played such a vital role in the life of Ephesus finally silted up, the town's remaining inhabitants moved a few miles/kilometers inland and established a new settlement on the site of what is now Selcuk (pronounced cell-juk ), the charming small town...
Overview Introduction Selkirk is the self-proclaimed Catfish Capital of the World, but its main attraction is the Marine Museum of Manitoba, which has five grounded and restored ships you can explore. Selkirk's main events are the Festival on the Red (dances, snowmobile races, motorcycles on ice...
The 35-mi/55-km route from Montgomery to Selma has been designated a National Historic Trail. The town's name became internationally recognized in 1965 when, on "Bloody Sunday," state troopers clashed with civil-rights activists participating in the historic Selma-to-Montgomery protest march. The ...
Established in 1922, the Selous Game Reserve is Africa's largest wildlife reserve (21,235sq mi/55,000 sq km), and is in fact roughly the size of Switzerland and four times larger than the Serengeti. The park is named after Captain Frederick Selous, a British explorer and hunter who wrote a book abou...
The largest city on Java's north coast, Semarang is a former Dutch colony on the north end of the Indonesian island of Java that found wealth in the exportation of sugar and other agricultural goods. From the 17th through the early 20th centuries, it was a busy seaport that saw traders from China, I...
Overview Introduction The dainty Russian-style town of Semey, 620 mi/1,000 km north of Almaty and near the Serbian border, was once the destination of Russian political exiles and the site of extensive underground nuclear testing. The tests left permanent genetic mutations among the populace: Exa...
There's no mistaking the French influence in Senegal, Africa. You'll hear French spoken nearly everywhere in the country, and you'll see its colonial heritage in the wide boulevards and stylish elegance of downtown Dakar, Senegal's capital, which still claims a large French population, as well as in...
Overview Introduction Senga Bay has a wide variety of accommodations, and beach and watersports activities, and is a very relaxing place to spend a few days (be aware of the danger of bilharzia, however). There is also a large curio market there where you will have to bargain hard over the famous...
An easy trip from Singapore's HarbourFront Centre by cable car, bus or foot, attractions on Singapore's holiday resort Sentosa Island are organized into four categories to make it easier to plan your day: Sun and Sea, Fun and Entertainment, Nature, and History. There you can enjoy water rides, golf,...
Overview Introduction This beautiful park has deep mountain gorges, sparkling streams, granite pinnacles, remote temples and lots of hiking trails. It's a great place to enjoy mountain scenery and relax, especially in the autumn. At least two days could be spent there, visiting the Sinheung Templ...
Much of Seoul bears the distinct stamp of the 21st century: Multilane highways carry a constant stream of traffic among steel-and-glass skyscrapers. But look closer and you'll find ancient temples miraculously spared destruction in the Korean War, as well as painstakingly restored historic palaces ...
While much has changed since anthropologist Margaret Mead first described the region, journeys on the Sepik River are still like a step back in time—life is primitive, and the abundance of plants and animals is truly astonishing. The 700-mi/1,125-km river, which can be as wide as a half mile/one kil...
Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains east of Fresno, Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks are truly spectacular, and a rival to Yosemite National Park, which they closely resemble. The only roads through the contiguous parks, which are administered as a single unit, are a 45-mi/75-km scenic an...
With the secession of Montenegro in June 2006, the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro was dissolved, leaving Serbia an independent country. The State Union of Serbia and Montenegro was all that remained of an old Yugoslav federation that once included Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia and Slovenia. Now...
Covering almost 5,000 sq mi/12,950 sq km, the Serengeti National Park is Tanzania's second largest game reserve after the Selous and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978. The word Serengeti comes from the Maasai word siringet , which literally means "an extended area." The Serenget...
Overview Introduction Sete, France, retains the old school, Mediterranean charm that many similar towns have lost as a consequence of an influx of tourists to the region. The locals are friendly and will usually outnumber any tourists, so ask anyone for directions if you get lost. However, few pe...
Overview Introduction Set midway between Algiers and Constantine, Setif (pop. 187,000) is an ideal place to stay when you're visiting the nearby Roman ruins of Mila and Djemila. 60 mi/100 km northwest of Constantine.
You will probably pass through industrial Setubal, Portugal, on the way to some of the seaside resorts nearby. These include Troia, a modern resort with fine beaches and good hotels; Sesimbra, a fishing town and traditional resort; and Portinho da Arrabida, a tiny village with a nice beach, backed b...
The port city of Sevastopol and the once top-secret Soviet submarine base at Balaklava were both important sites in the Crimean War, immortalized in Tennyson's poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade." Arriving in Sevastopol is akin to sailing into a fortress, with gray Russian and Ukrainian warship...
Exploring the labyrinthine old city of Seville, Spain, might give you a clue as to how Sevillanos in the 1500s developed the skills to become masters of global navigation. Even with today's GPS apps, finding your way through the maze of narrow winding streets can pose a challenge. But you'll know i...
Set along the protected waters of Resurrection Bay on the eastern tip of the Kenai Peninsula, Seward, Alaska, is a terminus for many Gulf of Alaska cruises and is a base for exploring nearby Kenai Fjords National Park. It's surrounded by forest and park preserves, snowcapped peaks, calving glacier...
Although travel to Seychelles might be considered a luxury, it is without question a spectacular destination. The Seychelles islands are filled with physical beauty—distinctive granite rock formations, white-sand beaches and clear blue waters surrounding Seychelles' beaches. The Seychelles (pronou...
Seydisfjordur, Iceland, a fishing town (herring, mainly) on the country's east coast, has 19th-century wooden houses and an impressive coastline. Located 250 mi/400 km east of Reykjavik, it's regarded as one of Iceland's most picturesque towns and is generally seen as a one-night stopover while driv...
Seydnaya, an interesting cool spot (its elevation is 4,640 ft/1,415 m) 12 mi/19 km north of Damascus, is worth a day trip to visit the monastery of Seydnaya. Be sure to see the Virgin Mary icon, said to have been painted by the apostle Luke. During the Crusades, pilgrims claimed that its face oozed ...
Tunisia's second-largest city is not packaged for tourism the way other coastal cities are, but we think Sfax makes an interesting overnight stop when traveling between the north and south of the country. The old walls and arched gates are a nice introduction to the medina. The casbah has a museum o...
The state capital of Selangor, Shah Alam, is home to one of Malaysia's most impressive mosques. Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, more commonly known as the Blue Mosque, is the largest in Malaysia and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. Crowned by a distinctive 350-ft/106-m blue and white ...
Overview Introduction Located on the coast, Shahhat doesn't offer much for today's visitors, but it was once the ancient city of Cyrene, built as a Greek settlement in 631 BC. A replica of Delphi, Cyrene contains temples, mosaics underfoot, and a museum housing a good collection of Greek statues....
Overview Introduction This town south of Samarkand, reached by crossing a beautiful mountain pass, is most often seen as a day trip. Tamerlane was born in a village not far away, and he chose Shakhrisabz as the site for his main palace. Not much is left of the Ak-Saray, but the size of what is th...
The name Shanghai still conjures images of romance, mystery and adventure, but for decades it was an austere backwater. After the success of Mao Zedong's communist revolution in 1949, the authorities clamped down hard on Shanghai, castigating China's second city for its prewar status as a playgroun...
Located in County Clare, Ireland, Shannon is a new town, built in the 1960s and incorporated in 1982. Intended as a planned town to house the workers for the nearby Shannon Airport and its surrounding industries, it was not as successful as hoped because of the proximity of other, more attractive re...
Chairman Mao's hometown of Shaoshan, 400 mi/645 km southwest of Beijing in Hunan Province, still draws nearly 800,000 visitors each year (though a far cry from the millions of "Revolutionary Tourists" who visited each year during the Cultural Revolution). There is an audiovisual museum of Mao's li...
The United Arab Emirates' third-largest emirate, Sharjah has beautiful beaches on both the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It's replacing its diminishing oil revenues by fashioning itself as a regional business center. It's a major residential center for people working in Dubai, and the traffic j...
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, near the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, is the most developed resort in the area—it's a good base for exploring the rest of the peninsula and a good spot for diving and other watersports. Most of the tourist facilities are at Naama Bay. Accommodations range from luxur...
You may not have time to see the mountainous Shasta/Cascade region on your first visit to Northern California, and even repeat visitors may find it a little difficult to work into their itineraries. But this area of majestic beauty and plentiful outdoor recreation is so unlike the rest of the state ...
One of the most pleasant areas of the state, Shawnee National Forest covers almost the entire southern eighth of Illinois. Located 310 mi/500 km south of Chicago, it includes several state parks and the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Near the city of Carbondale (home of Southern Illinois Univers...
Overview Introduction A busy port on Lake Michigan, Sheboygan is the site of Sheboygan Indian Mound Park, which contains several animal-shaped ceremonial mounds that were constructed between AD 500 and 1000. The Sheboygan County Historical Museum has several buildings from the 1800s, including a ...
Located just 8 mi/13 km south of Burlington, Shelburne is home to the remarkable Shelburne Museum. This 45-acre/18-hectare outdoor museum includes 37 relocated and restored historic buildings. Inside the buildings there are thousands of pieces of Americana—everything from homemade quilts and weather...
The spectacularly beautiful Shenandoah area incorporates the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains and rolling hills of orchards and farmland. Its pastoral beauty makes it hard to believe that life-and-death drama unfolded there during the Civil War. In 1862, Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson earned hi...
Overview Introduction On the Nile northeast of Khartoum, Shendi was a large 18th-century market town. Now it's mainly visited on the way to the Meroitic ruins of the Naqa and Musawwarat temples. Frequent bus service departs Khartoum. 110 mi/175 km northeast of Khartoum.
In Shenyang, China, you'll want to see the enormous statue of Mao and his fierce-looking comrades dominating central Zhongshan Square. Birthplace of the Qing Dynasty, many of Shenyang's historical attractions date back to this important Chinese era. Be sure to visit Liaoning Provincial Museum, con...
Busy downtown Shenzhen, China, a fishing village just a few decades ago, is now a city of 15 million. It is a mere 45-minute ride from Kowloon via Hong Kong's rapid transit system, making even day trips from Hong Kong feasible. Designated as China's first Special Economic Zone in 1979 and growing ev...
This name for Curacao's Shete Boka National Park comes from a Papiamento phrase that translates as "seven mouths"—a reference to its seven natural inlets. Shete Boka showcases a spectacular cavern, Boka Tabla, carved into limestone cliffs on the north coast by millions of years of pounding surf. S...
Scotland's 100 Shetland Islands are only about 60 mi/100 km north of the Orkney Islands, but they're startlingly different: Orkney is characterized by rolling farmland, but Shetland is a barren archipelago. The population traditionally worked as shepherds and fishermen, but today many are employed b...
Overview Introduction This ancient city (320 mi/515 km east of the town named Shibam) is probably the most impressive in southern Yemen. Set in the Hadramawt Valley, Shibam has a truly magnificent skyline of hundreds of white five- or six-story buildings (many of the buildings are in dire need of...
Japan's fourth-largest island, Shikoku, 60 mi/95 km southwest of Osaka, is also the most rural and least developed. Its temples have been a pilgrimage destination for the past 1,000 years. Every spring and fall, devout Buddhists begin a two-month pilgrimage, visiting each of the island's 88 temples ...
Shiloh National Military Park, Tennessee, is a must-see for any Civil War or American-history buff: You can almost hear the battle cries of the soldiers who fought there. Located in the southern part of the state, near Savannah and 115 mi/185 km southwest of Nashville, this park commemorates one o...
Less than an hour south of Mombasa (just 20 mi/30 km), Shimba Hills is not visited by many tourists but is well worth a stop. It is an unspoiled tract of lush rain forest that leads down to green rolling hills. Thanks to the cooling sea breeze, the climate is very comfortable there. Its wonderful Sh...
Perched 7,200 ft/2,232 m above sea level, Shimla (also known as Simla), India, is the "Queen of the Hill Station," an escape conceived in the 1820s by the lords who ruled over British India from Delhi. As the capital's steamy heat set each summer, the British Raj would make the trek to the western H...
Shiraz, called the "City of Poets, Wine and Roses," was the Persian capital and rival of Isfahan during the 18th century. It's now a regional capital and university town with beautiful gardens filled with roses and orange trees (it's particularly nice in April when the orange trees are in blossom—yo...
Overview Introduction This important northern city lies near Lake Scutari in a relatively flat valley about 55 mi/88 km northwest of Tirana and surrounded by majestic mountains. Shkoder has always been the country's most independent and free-thinking city—it was instrumental in bringing down the ...
Overview Introduction The United Nations High Commission for Refugees maintains an office in this town in eastern Sudan (there is also an office in Khartoum). Many refugee settlements may be found in this area. 85 mi/135 km southwest of Kassala.
Shreveport, 265 mi/425 km northwest of New Orleans, is the largest city in northern Louisiana and the site of the annual Louisiana State Fair. Home to the gardens of the American Rose Center, it's known for being one of the world's rose capitals. The roses are best seen in May and October, and the c...
In addition to being one of the finest Tudor towns in England, Shrewsbury also claims a famous son, Charles Darwin. The town sits within a loop of the River Severn 40 mi/65 km northwest of Birmingham, and its abbey has long been a pilgrimage site in honor of St. Winifred. Be sure to see the 12th-cen...
Located 295 mi/475 km northeast of Vancouver, Shuswap, British Columbia, is yet another lake recreation area, but it offers something a little different: paddle-wheeler tours and rental houseboats that can be maneuvered through 600 mi/1,000 km of waterways. Swimming, kayaking, sailing, canoeing and ...
The dusty, southern industrial city of Shymkent, 385 mi/620 km southwest of Almaty, is notable chiefly as the home of Astrakhan coats—the Karakul Sheep Breeding Museum has an exhibit demonstrating how the sheepskins are processed to give pelts that tight, curly, twisted look. If you want to spend ...
Si Chiangmai, also known as Sri Chiang Mai, Thailand, lies directly across the Mekong River from Vientiane, Laos, in a region of interesting villages 320 mi/515 km north of Bangkok. Founded by the Laotian King Setthathirath, the grandson of a former queen of Chiang Mai, this ancient capital was name...
The Mexican government created the huge Sian Ka'an nature reserve in 1986. Its diverse ecosystems spread over 1.3 million acres/526,091 hectares, harbor hundreds of species of plants and animals as well as unexcavated Mayan ruins. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage site, which protects several endang...
Although much of 750-year-old Siauliai was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1872, some nice areas remain. Visitors can stroll around Clock Tower Square and the pedestrian-only section of Vilniaus Street, a pretty boulevard adorned with potted plants and small fountains. Siauliai, which is 115 mi/18...
The attractive coastal city of Sibenik, Croatia, 30 mi/50 km northwest of Split, shows traces of its fascinating history, having been under Venetian, Byzantine, Bosnian, Austrian, Italian and Hungarian rule over the centuries. The old town centers on Poljana Square, which is surrounded by old pat...
Overview Introduction This Transylvania city, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, merits a full day to see its many sights. Among them are the massive Evangelical Church (it houses the tomb of Dracula's son), the 18th-century Bruckenthal Art Museum, the Museum of History and the fascinating Museum ...
Sicily is a mountainous island dotted with lemon, orange, almond and pistachio orchards—an extension of the Apennine Mountains separated from the mainland by the Strait of Messina. La Sicilia is the largest island in the central Mediterranean, with some 9,927 sq mi/25,711 sq km of variegated terrai...
Side (pronounced SEE-day ) is a town with fascinating Byzantine, Greek and Roman ruins, some dating from the seventh century BC. In this Turkish town 250 mi/400 km southwest of Ankara, ruins seem to pop up everywhere—scattered between the buildings or even emerging from the sand of the outlying d...
Like most coastal cities in Lebanon, Sidon (Saida in Arabic), 25 mi/40 km south of Beirut, was a Phoenician settlement founded around 4000 BC. Its name means "fortified," but this didn't stop a long list of invading armies over the centuries. An earthquake inflicted heavy damage in 1837, but there...
Overview Introduction Siem Reap, Cambodia, is where travelers stay when visiting Angkor, just 5 mi/8 km away. Located 145 mi/235 km northwest of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap is rapidly building a tourism infrastructure to cater to the demands of Western travelers. Must See or Do Sights —Angkor Archae...
Siena, Italy, lies in the scenic hill country of Tuscany just 43 mi/70 km south of Florence. This picturesque, well-preserved medieval town has been a bitter competitor with Florence for much of its history, and it is a treasure trove of art, pageantry and architecture. Some might say it's a Gothic...
Even in a region that has known considerable turmoil, Sierra Leone stands out. The United Nations has named it the least developed and least livable country in the world—a sad irony for a nation that is endowed with large deposits of gold and diamonds. But then, it was in large part a struggle for c...
The town of Sighisoara probably comes closest to what most visitors think an old Transylvanian town should look like. Nicknamed the Pearl of Transylvania, it was settled in 1280, although archaeologists have found evidence of Roman settlement four milennia ago. The city is still surrounded by medie...
On top of a rock plateau overlooking dense jungle and a vast plain, 90 mi/145 km northeast of Colombo, is Sigiriya, the mysterious remains of the fifth-century fortress of King Kasyapa. When it was built, an impressive 5-acre/2-hectare fort sat astride the rock and a city nestled at its base, but no...
Sigtuna is one of Sweden's oldest towns. This early trading center 40 mi/65 km northwest of Stockholm contains ruins of medieval monasteries that date from the 11th century. In comparison, the town hall is relatively modern: It was built in 1744 and is the smallest one in the country. Take time to...
This small resort and winter-sports center, with castles perched above a valley, is just 30 mi/50 km northeast of Riga. It boasts a variety of sights, including several castles. Another popular site is the grave of the Rose of Turaida, a local beauty who is said to have died in 1721 defending her...
Overview Introduction Also known as Kompong Som (the communist name), Sihanoukville (its royalist name), Cambodia, is a port city built in the 1950s, located 100 mi/160 km southwest of Phnom Penh. The city is still an important port and has become a stop for many Southeast Asian cruise ships. Sih...
Overview Introduction Situated 180 mi/290 km southeast of Bamako in the country's agricultural region, Sikasso is not interesting enough to make the journey there worthwhile. Only stop by if you are on your way to or from Burkina Faso or Cote d'Ivoire.
Sikkim, India, was an independent kingdom in the Himalayas until 1975, when it was annexed following a referendum. Some dispute the validity of that vote, and there is still some resentment toward Indians. A special permit is required to go to Sikkim and can be obtained in advance at a Foreigners Re...
Silesia, Maryland, is a southern suburb of Washington, D.C. Military-history buffs and children will enjoy seeing Fort Washington, which overlooks the Potomac River. This fairly well-preserved fort, dating from the 1800s, is complete with towers, drawbridge, ramparts and gun ports. In nearby Clint...
This mountainous island, 20 mi/35 km northwest of Mahe, is a wonderful place for a hike and a view of the sunset. Granite peaks are interspersed with forests, and the whole place is enveloped in bird song and a riot of tropical color. The island's main resort hotel is the Labriz Resort and Spa. http...
The atmospheric, unrestored buildings of Silver City, Idaho, make it one of the West's legendary mining towns. It's not a ghost town, exactly—some people do live there—but it's not in any danger of overcrowding either. The only way to get there is on a 23-mi/37-km winding dirt road that connects to ...
A trek 325 mi/525 km northwest of Addis Ababa in the Simien Mountains is likely to be the high point of a visitor's time in Ethiopia. (The highest peaks top 13,100 ft/4,000 m.) The breathtaking mountain landscape and vegetation provide some of the finest scenery in the country. Many of the animals l...
The Sinai Peninsula is east of the Suez Canal, with coasts along the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea (the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez). Air and land tours can be arranged from Cairo, and overland trips leave also from the Israeli resort town of Eilat. The coastline along the Gulf of Aqaba ...
Set in a valley of the beautiful Subcarpathian Mountains, this ski resort has refreshingly cool summers and relatively mild winters. It's also a great jumping-off point for hikes in the lower Carpathians. The skiing isn't that great (the mild winters mean there's not much snow), but the atmosphere m...
This swampy area 75 mi/125 km south of Dakar, where the Sine and Saloum rivers meet, is one of the prettiest parts of Senegal, with mangrove trees, lagoons, forests, dunes and islands. It's home to the Saloum Delta National Park, where you can take pirogue trips on the rivers to look for flamingoes,...
Singapore has always been a crossroads between East and West. Once upon a time, its port swelled with Chinese, Arab, Malay, Indian and European traders who went to exchange exotic wares. Today, the city-state has expanded to become one of the world's busiest ports, and over time, as goods have been...
Overview Introduction This coastal resort town 50 mi/80 km northwest of Cayenne has a fascinating handicraft market, where feathered flowers and gold embossing (among other items) are for sale. The town is also an ideal place to begin canoe trips into the jungle to see the red ibis, a beautiful ...
Sinop, Turkey, is best seen by walking. On the coast of the Black Sea 190 mi/305 km northeast of Ankara, it's a town of charming stores, small mosques, hidden tombs, parks and historical sites. Visit the ruined Hellenistic temple and the site where Diogenes, the seeker of honest men, was born. Als...
Easily meriting a day's exploration, Sintra, Portugal, offers castles, palaces, formal gardens and stately homes scattered about the green hills of the area. Located 15 mi/25 km northwest of Lisbon, Sintra is near some fine Atlantic beaches. In the center of town, visit the huge Palacio Nacional d...
Sion, Switzerland, is a charming town in the Rhone Valley, 100 mi/160 km from Geneva. It is perched on a steep hillside with several medieval monuments set, citadel-style, atop craggy peaks. Castle Tourbillon and the Castle of Valeria, seen from afar on its twin peaks, make it immediately recognizab...
Sioux City, 165 mi/265 km northwest of Des Moines, sits at the convergence of the Big Sioux and Missouri rivers. An important center for the transportation and processing of grain and livestock, it's also home to Morningside College and Briar Cliff College. Among the attractions are the Sioux City...
If you're entering South Dakota from Nebraska, Iowa or Minnesota, you'll likely pass through Sioux Falls, South Dakota's largest city and the center of commerce for the eastern part of the state. It's named for the Sioux tribe of Native Americans and the Big Sioux River's waterfalls. Its downtown a...
This tiny island, located 240 mi/385 km from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, still offers world-class diving for experienced divers. About 50 ft/15 m offshore is a spectacular 2,000-ft/610-m underwater drop-off covered with marine life, including the island's famously abundant population of sea turtles. Exp...
High in the hills above Selcuk, Sirince (pronouned shirin-jay ) is a village with an interesting history that provides an alternative base for visitors to Ephesus or a pleasant day trip from the nearby cities of Selcuk, Kusadasi, Izmir or Aydin. In Turkish, Sirince means "quite pretty," but legend...
Less developed for tourism than the other Cycladic islands, Siros, also known as Syros, was once a center of commerce and shipping for the archipelago. Today, Siros has lost its prominence, though the neoclassical mansions and elegant architecture remain. It is located 75 mi/120 km southeast of At...
Sisters, Oregon, claims to be the llama capital of North America. More than 200 of the animals graze there on a llama-breeding ranch (located near the Mount Bachelor ski area). The commercial district of Sisters preserves the feeling of an 1880s town with its eclectic shops, galleries and eateries....
Sitges, Spain—a small town located about an hour west of Barcelona by train—has a Mediterranean feel with whitewashed buildings and flower-lined balconies. And it offers a beach experience that can't be beat. Unlike Barcelona and other coastal cities in Spain, Sitges manages to maintain its old-wor...
The setting of Sitka, Alaska, in a tranquil bay on Baranof Island, is nothing short of spectacular. Tiny islands dense with evergreen trees dot the blue-green water, which is crisscrossed by dozens of fishing boats. Looming over the town and waterfront is Mount Edgecumbe, a Mount Fuji look-alike lo...
Sivas, Turkey, is the point at which western Anatolia melts gently into more exotic eastern Anatolia, 280 mi/450 km east of Ankara. It's a conservative town, although that doesn't detract from the ruined Seljuk medreses dotted around its central park, several of which contain pleasant tea garden...
Dominated by Vatnajokull, the massive ice cap, the spectacular Skaftafell National Park in east Iceland was founded in 1967 with the help of the World Wildlife Fund. Many walks, climbs and hikes are possible in the area 220 mi/355 km east of Reykjavik. The glacier is 3,000 ft/900 m thick in places, ...
The delightful fishing port of Skagen is Denmark's northernmost town, just 65 mi/100 km northeast of Aalborg, and the town's white, sandy beaches attract many summer visitors. Skagen offers the open-air museum Fortidsminder, which depicts life in an old Danish fishing village, and it's famous for i...
Located at the northern end of the Inside Passage, Skagway, Alaska, emerged in the late 1890s as a makeshift gold-rush town of tents and shacks with a population of 8,000-10,000 adventurers who arrived by boat with supplies for the hellish trek overland to the Yukon gold fields. Of course, the town...
At an elevation of 7,500 ft/2,300 m, this scenic but stark area has some of the world's highest mountains, lakes and glaciers—an ideal place to trek and relax in a cool climate. Attractions include the Karpochu Fort (great views) and Lake Satpara, as well as the somewhat arduous but interesting and ...
Overview Introduction Many ships have wrecked along this desolate coast in northern Namibia because of dense fogs, hence the region's eerie name—the Skeleton Coast. The park, which encompasses some 5 million acres/2 million hectares of undulating sand dunes and dry, gravel plains, now has a road ...
Just past Caherciveen on Ireland's Ring of Kerry drive, it is possible to take a ferry over to Valencia Island, and from there to visit the Skelligs. Valencia Island can also be reached by a bridge that crosses from Portmagee. Valencia Island was where the Atlantic cable made landfall in the mid-19...
The attractions of the mountainous island of Skiathos (one of the greenest in the Sporades) include a ruined fortress, remains of the 16th-century village of Kastro (allow several hours—the view demands it) and some 17th-century churches (many with frescoes). Visit at least one of the many enchant...
Once a Venetian possession, this island 75 mi/120 km north of Athens in the Sporades has beautiful sandy beaches, cobblestoned streets, flowers, numerous bays, pine and olive trees, and churches—many boast frescoes, carved-wood pulpits and Byzantine icons. The island's main town, Skopelos Town, is...
The capital and modern city of Skopje has everything that any other capital city can offer—fabulous churches, mosques, excellent museums, galleries, shopping, concerts, theater, opera, ballet and even casinos—but all on a smaller scale. And one of its greatest highlights is the biggest and oldest Tu...
Skyros, Greece, is a relatively unspoiled island, 80 mi/130 km northeast of Athens in the Sporades. It has a ruined Byzantine and Venetian fortress located in Chora (Skyros Town)—note the entrance relief of the Lion of St. Mark. Other draws include caves, a couple of museums, fourth-century walls ...
Located west of Traverse City, 235 mi/380 km northwest of Detroit, near the towns of Empire and Glen Arbor, Sleeping Bear Dunes is a spectacularly large area of shifting sand that encompasses some of the most picturesque shore areas in the state. There are numerous hiking trails that lead to the lak...
The picturesque landmark of Sleepy Hollow in Mount Pleasant on the Hudson River is immortalized in author Washington Irving's stories, particularly "The Headless Horseman," who is rumored to be buried in the village's Old Dutch Church burying grounds. River cruisers also appreciate a visit to Sunny...
Overview Introduction Sliema, about 1 mi/2 km across Marsamxett Harbor from Valletta, is the address of many of the capital's resort hotels, shops and restaurants. It's also the port of embarkation for most island cruises.
In the northwest corner of Ireland, 115 mi/185 km northwest of Dublin, the relatively small region of Sligo Bay is rugged yet green. It has long, deserted beaches and a spectacular Atlantic coastline. This is Yeats country—he's buried in the churchyard in Drumcliff. Although you can see the area i...
Slovakia deserves its own turn in the spotlight. When it split from the Czech Republic in 1993, Slovakia got the heavy industry and a less progressive government. The Czechs got the tourist sites, most of the economic opportunity and the "buzz" on the international scene. But with its flood of visi...
The Slovene Riviera is located 120 mi/190 km southwest of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Though the country only has 29 mi/46 km of coastline, Slovenes have made the most of their tiny presence on the sunny Adriatic. Slovenia's largest port, the city of Koper is an interesting, historically rich city that ha...
Take a little bit of Bavaria, a sliver of Mediterranean Riviera, a stretch of the Danube, a touch of Venice and a slice of the Balkans—and you have Slovenia, one of Europe's best-kept secrets. This charming little country, which declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, walked away relatively...
The Smaaland area, located about 225 mi/360 km southwest of Stockholm, is often called the Glass District or the Kingdom of Crystal. The fairly compact area's several towns are all home to glass-making plants. About 20 of the factories, all within a short drive of one another, offer free tours. Most...
Smederevo, Serbia, located 29 mi/46 km by road southeast of Belgrade, is accessible by major transportation. The town is known for its triangular shaped fortress, which is built on the site of a former Roman fortification. Smederevo is also home to an interesting museum that features Roman artifac...
Maryland's Smith Island (actually three islands), in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay and accessible only by a 12-mi/20-km boat ride, is not a tourist hot spot. Cars cannot be transported to the island and there are few inns, restaurants or shops. It's the lack of development that's the attraction t...
This quaint ski resort town is 60 mi/100 km south of Plovdiv and 155 mi/250 km southeast of Sofia in the lovely Rhodope Mountains. It can be seen on a long day trip from Plovdiv, though an overnight stay is recommended. At 3,310 ft/1,009 m, Smolyan is Bulgaria's highest town and is set against a b...
Smugglers' Notch ski area is located just outside Jeffersonville, Vermont. Its namesake is a narrow mountain pass running adjacent to Sterling Mountain, which smugglers used many years ago. The ski area consists of three ski mountains—Morse Mountain, with terrain geared more towards families and be...
Overview Introduction Established in 1700 as an English Quaker settlement, 30 mi/50 km south of Wilmington, this town contains many fine examples of Federal and Victorian architecture. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, a 15,980-acre/6,465-hectare haven for migrating and resident waterfowl, is...
Although it's a bit of a drive from other Salt Lake City ski areas, die-hard skiers shouldn't miss the opportunity to hit the slopes at Snowbasin in Huntsville, Utah, about 40 mi/65 km from Salt Lake City and 17 mi/27 km from Ogden. The powder falls light and fluffy in Snowbasin, and the snow bowls ...
Located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah's Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort is known for its steep vertical drop and challenging terrain, with two north-facing bowls and one south-facing bowl accessible by several lifts and a huge aerial tram. Lifts connect skiers with the neighboring Alta Ski Area...
Snowdonia National Park, the largest and most dramatic of Wales' national parks, includes Mount Snowdon (3,560 ft/1,085 m), the highest mountain in Wales or England. It is not the Rockies or the Alps, but the Carneddau, Glyders and Snowdon mountains nonetheless are a gorgeous area, filled with pin...
Snowshoe Mountain, West Virginia, is a prime ski resort in the Allegheny Mountains. The resort, located in the bowl-shaped convergence of Cheat and Back Allegheny mountains, is home to the second highest point in the state—Cheat Mountain—at more than 4,800 ft/nearly 1,500 m. Unlike many ski resort...
Soberania National Park, just outside Panama City, is one of the world's most accessible rain forests. A mere 30-minute drive takes you to tropical wilderness, where you can see monkeys, toucans, iguanas and agoutis (a large rodent). Once inside the rain forest, start at the park office, where you...
The unusual subtropical climate around the "Russian Riviera" city of Sochi makes it a popular destination for the Russian elite. The post-Cold War boom in tourism resulted in a sprawl of resort hotels and condominiums along its once-pristine coastline. Further development took place in advance of ...
Overview Introduction Unless you're willing to put up with some very basic surroundings, you probably won't want to visit Socotra, the Arabian Sea's largest island (1,400 sq mi/3,625 sq km). Even though there is a weekly flight, there are almost no tourist facilities. The island (pop. 30,000) has...
Most visitors begin their tour of Bulgaria in the beautiful, history-rich capital of Sofia, a 2,200-year-old city. Sofia is so rich in history that Roman ruins are part of a downtown mall, and the fourth-century St. George Rotunda (which also served as a Roman bath and a mosque) is located behind th...
Located along the northeast coast 100 mi/160 km northeast of Seoul, Sokcho is a fishing town that can be used as a base to visit the beaches, waterfalls, temples and beautiful scenery in the vicinity. The most important attraction in Sokcho is Seoraksan National Park, but other sights include the ...
Overview Introduction Sokhna is a beautiful resort region that is located one-and-a-half hours away from Cairo. Most of the town's attractions are located within walking distance of the port. Taxis are available, as are shuttles that double as tours of the area.
Overview Introduction This primarily Muslim village in the middle of the country is known for the quality of its leather crafts. It's also known for a daring ceremony called Gadawou, or "Dance of the Sword," during which celebrants cut themselves with knives or swords and apparently feel no pain....
In the Solomons, they talk about "The Islands of Pride," a reference not only to their country's natural beauty, but also to the people's contributions to the Allied cause in World War II. Some of the war's bloodiest battles took place in this idyllic setting of glimmering lagoons, orchid-laden jung...
Solvang, California, a Danish-American community in the Santa Ynez Valley less than an hour's drive from Santa Barbara, has windmills—which are lit at night with strings of white lights—and shops built in the Danish style that sell imported Danish china and traditional Danish foods. If you have a sw...
Located on the eastern shores of Egypt on the Red Sea Riviera, near Hurghada, Soma Bay has pristine beaches, watersports including scuba diving and snorkeling, and an international-quality golf course. Insiders call this side of the Red Sea "Egypt's best-kept secret," and now visitors departing fr...
Putting war-torn Somalia back together has been like trying to repair a mosaic without cement: As soon as the pieces seem to be in order, it falls apart again. Clan conflicts remain unresolved, so fighting can flare up at any moment. Daily life is so dangerous and unpredictable that even relief agen...
Few tourists venture this far north, but for those who have the time and stamina, there is a fascinating reward: the villages of the Somba tribes. These traditional warriors and hunters live in the most beautiful part of the country—if your car or taxi isn't bouncing too roughly for you to enjoy the...
Sonamarg, India, (the Golden Meadow, as it translates) is the last lush green area on the road leading from Kashmir's capital Srinagar to barren Ladakh. Located 400 mi/650 km north of Delhi, Sonamarg is really just a small collection of stores (such as the Cheepest Chemist) and a government-run hote...
Overview Introduction Sonargaon is the ancient capital of both Hindu and Muslim rulers. Remnants of those 13th- and 14th-century reigns are scattered throughout the area, though there are virtually no reminders in modern Sonargaon itself. Mograpara , just a few kilometers from Sonargaon, has the...
Overview Introduction Near the Malaysian border 460 mi/740 km south of Bangkok, Songkhla, Thailand, lies near Songkhla Lake and a bird sanctuary. In December 1941, Japanese troops landed on nearby beaches, invading Thailand before heading south toward the Malaysian cities of Perlis and Penang and...
Overview Introduction West of the Napa Valley and bordering on the Pacific, Sonoma County is an area full of California history, spectacular scenery and excellent wine. Sonoma is a younger wine region than Napa, and many visitors take note of the more laid-back feel created by the family-owned wi...
Sopot, Poland's most elegant seaside resort in eastern Pomerania, 180 mi/290 km northwest of Warsaw, is close enough to Gdansk (13 mi/20 km) to allow for spontaneous sightseeing and shopping trips. In the first years of the 20th century, Sopot was a favorite spa of Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany. Aft...
Sopron, the home of composer Franz Liszt, has a well-preserved medieval center. It's conveniently located on the far western border with Austria, only an hour's drive away from Vienna. Sights include the Firewatch Tower, a Benedictine monastery and other 14th- and 15th-century buildings in nearly pe...
The "Pearl of the Andes" is often described as having the most beautiful setting in Bolivia. The surrounding valley has an abundance of trees and flowers. Though there aren't many attractions in town, it serves as a base for hiking. A number of Inca trails begin in the area, including the Maipiri Tr...
Overview Introduction This town on the border with Ukraine has a well-preserved medieval fortress. The fortress is one of four built along the Dniester to protect the region from marauding Turks. 140 mi/225 km north of Chisinau.
With a dramatic cliff-top setting along the rugged Sorrentine Peninsula, Sorrento has been noted for its beauty since ancient times, when Greek ships sailed past, and later by the Romans who called the city Surrentum. Travelers today find the same remarkable views sweeping across the Bay of Naples t...
The small beach town of Sosua, 90 mi/145 km northwest of Santo Domingo, was founded by German Jewish refugees who were fleeing Nazi persecution in the late 1930s. Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo oversaw their settlement, hoping to gain favor with the U.S. Sosua's Jewish Museum chronicles the exp...
Soufriere is near some of St. Lucia's most interesting geologic features, most notably the twin Piton volcanoes and the active caldera for which the town is named. Founded by France in the 18th century, Soufriere (pronounced su-FREE-er ) is located 12 mi/20 km south of Castries. The town retains ...
Overview Introduction The highlights of Souillac, Mauritius, aren't in town at all—they're all just north of town, about 25 mi/40 km south of Port Louis. Visit Rochester Falls, Gris Gris Cliffs and poet Robert Edward Hart de Keating's home, La Nef (this coral and volcanic rock building is set on ...
Overview Introduction Sousse is both a well-developed beach resort and an interesting urban center. The resort accommodations are north of the city, in the beachfront zone touristique , but most of the sights are within the walls of the large medina. The tall, round tower marks the ribat (a fo...
South Africa is an exciting place to visit. Cape Town, with its vibrant nightlife, stylish young people and beautiful surroundings, has become one of the most desirable destinations in the world. And the country's natural attractions are as appealing as ever: the green vineyards and rocky coast of t...
Located 140 mi/225 km north of Indianapolis and home of the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, is a pleasant town in a pleasant setting. Be sure to tour the Notre Dame campus, where attractions range from the Log Chapel to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, a replica of the shrine in L...
South Caicos Island, at the southeastern end of the Caicos group 20 mi/32 km west of Grand Turk, has herds of wild horses, places for diving and superb deep-sea fishing. It was hit extremely hard by Hurricane Ike in 2008. South Caicos has begun to see a change with several projects that have begun o...
Yesterday and today—a visit to South Carolina pulls in both directions. On one side are some outstanding sights that bring you closer to the past: the superb historic district in Charleston, Revolutionary War battlefields and restored antebellum plantations. On the other side are the joys of the pre...
Overview Introduction The south coast of Sri Lanka contains plenty of sleepy beach towns that are perfect if you want nothing more than to relax on the beach and play in the sea. The 12-mi/19-km beach at Tangalle is stunning and uncrowded, though the surf can be too rough for swimming at times....
South Dakota is full of places that can take you away from the here and now. Watch a herd of buffalo trundle across the prairie, and you feel as if you've returned to a time before railroads and farmers overran the plains. Pay a visit to Mitchell in late summer, and you'll wonder if you've stumbled ...
Overview Introduction South Georgia holds a special place in Antarctic history. After enduring one of the most harrowing boat journeys of all time, explorer Ernest Shackleton landed on its rocky shores with great relief. He then crossed the island with no more than a compass to seek help for his ...
The island's agricultural center will appeal most to visitors seeking outdoor activities, from hiking to serious rock climbing. Field ice (floating sheets of ice—not to be confused with icebergs) drift in this area in spring and summer, and they occasionally impede vessels that carry supplies to the...
Overview Introduction South Hadley, Massachusetts, 9 mi/14 km north of Springfield, is home to Mount Holyoke College, the oldest women's college in the country (founded in 1837). The collection at Mount Holyoke Art Museum ranges from Egyptian artifacts to contemporary works.
For most of the 20th century, South Korea was hardly the Land of the Morning Calm, as it has been called historically. From the Japanese occupation to the Korean War to the economic crisis in the late 1990s, life there was mostly about calamity. But the country seems determined to leave its troubles...
This huge national park is by far the best game park in the country. Located along the river-veined Luangwa Valley, South Luangwa specializes in walking safaris that give visitors an up-close and personal look at the African bush. Treks cover 6 mi/10 km a day, and each evening is spent at a remote h...
Overview Introduction Dependencies of the Falklands Islands and claimed by both Argentina and the U.K., the South Orkneys were used as a base for whalers in the 19th century. Today, the main island, Coronation, is the site of a British research station where scientists are studying the nesting ha...
South Padre Island, a booming seaside resort area on the Gulf Coast at the southern tip of Texas, includes the island and the neighboring mainland town of Port Isabel. The area, about 150 mi/240 km southeast of San Antonio, is especially popular among high-school and college students during spring ...
Overview Introduction Unseen until the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen arrived in 1911, the South Pole now has permanent residents. A station stands at the U.S.-run Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station; the geodesic dome that stood there for some 30 years was removed in 2009. Only a small number o...
The Shetlands, dependencies of the Falkland Islands, are cold and wet and covered with lichen, peat and moss. It's a climate preferred by seals, penguins and other Antarctic wildlife. These 11 islands, first explored in 1819 and claimed by Great Britain, Chile and Argentina, lie just off the Antarct...
To explore Kauai's South Shore, take Highway 50, the Kaumualii Highway, west from Lihue. After about 8 mi/13 km, take Highway 520, Maluhia "Tree Tunnels" Road—named for the canopy formed by fragrant eucalyptus planted on each side. Follow the road south to Koloa, where sugar got its start in 1835. F...
The South Shore and Lighthouse Route starts at Yarmouth and ends in Halifax after passing more than 20 lighthouses. Yarmouth was settled in the 1700s by New England settlers known as Planters. The town has a great tradition of shipping and shipbuilding and has retained a lot of its historic characte...
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011 as the outcome of a 2005 peace deal that ended Africa's longest-running civil war. Formed from the 10 southern-most states of Sudan, The Republic of South Sudan is Texas-sized. It is made up of expansive grassland, swamps and tropical rain f...
The port city of Southampton is protected from English Channel storms by the Isle of Wight. Much battered over the centuries—and particularly during World War II—it presents a patchy mosaic, but the historic parts near the waterfront are well worth seeking out. Spend some time walking the city wal...
The rugged, impressive San Juan Mountains have much the same grandeur as the Rockies but fewer tourists, although they've become more popular. The San Juan Skyway is a scenic driving route that provides a wonderful way to become acquainted with this part of the state. It's a large loop, 235 mi/230 k...
The small town of Sozopol on a Black Sea peninsula about 21 mi/34 km south of Burgas has a name that means "Town of Refuge"—its harbor has provided shelter for seafarers for centuries. Sozopol is populated mostly by fishermen, but you'll also notice artists sketching the scenery, attracted by the ...
A popular destination from the 17th century onward for the famous hot springs, which claim to have healing powers, the original town of Spa has some beautiful grand buildings and parks dating from the time when it was the "cafe of Europe." In busy visiting periods (the summer months and December), t...
Spain offers visitors a richness and complexity that may surprise. All the tempting postcard fantasy pictures are there in reality, side-by-side with other, less-expected ones. You may come across fiesta dancers in a village square, a young man practicing flamenco guitar, a medieval Arab fortress ...
If you're staying in Kingston, set aside a couple of hours to see nearby Spanish Town, which lies 15 mi/24 km to the west. The town is well past its glory days—it was Jamaica's capital from 1534 to 1872, and the historic core is in near-derelict condition. See the Georgian buildings, especially ar...
Overview Introduction Just northeast of Greenville, 95 mi/150 km northwest of Columbia, Spartanburg has seen an influx of international industry, making it a surprisingly cosmopolitan city for its size. (It probably pains Georgians to know that Spartanburg also calls itself the "Peach Capital of ...
Speightstown, Barbados, is the commercial hub of St. Peter Parish. It was originally known as "Little Bristol." Old wooden buildings with overhanging galleries give this west-coast fishing village a dilapidated charm. Fruit vendors line the sidewalks, and there are shops, restaurants, art galleries ...
Founded by the Romans and one of the oldest settlements in Germany, Speyer is situated along the banks of the Rhine River in southwest Germany, an hour's drive from Frankfurt. It is a beautifully historic town that is dominated by its most important landmark—an 11th-century imperial cathedral. Spe...
Spitsbergen, Norway, the main island in a group called Svalbard, lies 500 mi/800 km north of Tromso and 800 mi/1,300 km north of the Arctic Circle. Seldom described as a well-known tourist destination in the past, this island has become more popular with Norwegian tourists. Visitors seem to be att...
The seaport of Split, Croatia, designated by UNESCO as a cultural treasure, lies on the Dalmatia coast 160 mi/260 km south of Zagreb. Its stunning, historic palm-lined oceanfront promenade is reminiscent of the French Riviera, but the rest of the old city reveals a striking combination of Roman, Ve...
Located 280 mi/450 km east of Seattle and 18 mi/30 km from the state border with Idaho, Spokane, Washington, offers an abundance of activities for visitors, from hiking and skiing to boating and fishing to shopping and dining. The city also provides plenty of cultural, arts and entertainment options...
Spoleto, Italy, is a truly charming Umbrian hill town only 60 mi/95 km northeast of Rome and best known for the Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of Two Worlds) or simply known as the Spoleto festival. This annual festival of international music, theater and art is held during the last two weeks of...
Located in southwestern Wisconsin, 115 mi/185 km west of Milwaukee, this town is a pilgrimage site for students of modern architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright built Taliesin, one of his Prairie School masterpieces, south of town. The history of Taliesin is as complicated as its architecture is impressiv...
Most people visit the state capital (180 mi/290 km southwest of Chicago) to see sites related to Abraham Lincoln. They include his home, his law office, a museum and, in Oak Ridge Cemetery, his tomb (allow time to explore the rest of the cemetery—there are several interesting tombstones). At twice...
In a state known for firsts, Massachusetts' third-largest city located 90 mi/145 km southwest of Boston, Springfield, claims its fair share: the first U.S. automobile, the first motorcycle, the first gas pump (which, presumably, was installed for the car and the motorcycle) and the first game of bas...
Springfield, Missouri, a medium-sized city 190 mi/305 km southwest of St. Louis, makes a convenient base for seeing southwestern Missouri and the Ozarks. While you're in town, you may want to visit the History Museum in Springfield's old city hall. The Springfield National Cemetery contains the gr...
Squamish, British Columbia, is a logging town located 50 mi/80 km north of Vancouver that sits on the beautiful Howe Sound. As a fast-growing bedroom community to popular Whistler and Vancouver, it is dubbed the "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada." It is the premier windsurfing territory in No...
Sri Lanka is blessed with a myriad of attractions, sandy beaches, misty mountains covered with tea bushes, and wildlife reserves with a variety of bird life, elephants and leopards. Despite its small size, the ancient Ceylon treasures eight World Heritage sites, important samples of colonial archite...
Srinagar, India, at an altitude of 5,800 ft/1,800 m, is the capital of the troubled region of Kashmir. Located 400 mi/645 km northeast of Delhi, it was once a favored vacation spot, but Srinagar today suffers frequent attacks by militants that have badly crippled businesses, public institutions and ...
Hilly and given to landslides (the island's highest point is found there), St. Andrew Parish of the Scotland District is less built up than the others, and contains Barbados' last little bit of rain forest at Turner's Hall Wood. The sea is wild on this northern coast, but the long beaches are stunni...
Also known as St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, this relatively small, picturesque old town near the Maine border and 85 mi/135 km southwest of Fredericton was founded by British Loyalists who wanted to escape the newly independent U.S. in the 1780s. Today, one of the town's main attractions is the Huntsman A...
Revered in the world of golf, St. Andrews is one of the most historic towns in Scotland. In addition to being the cradle of the Scottish Reformation, the town has Scotland’s oldest university, one of the oldest golf courses in the world (appropriately named Old Course) and the ruins of the oldest ca...
Located on Jamaica's north coast, 60 mi/95 km northwest of Kingston, St. Ann's Bay makes a convenient stop for those traveling between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Its town square is a good focal point for your visit. See the mid-1800s church, and then visit the statues of two historical figures lin...
The fishing village of St. Anthony dates to the 1500s, when French and Basque fishermen made summer settlements there on the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Starting in 1892, English missionary Sir Wilfred Grenfell used St. Anthony, 300 mi/485 km north of St. John's, as a base for his medical op...
Established as a city in 1565 and about 95 mi/150 km north of Orlando, St. Augustine, Florida, is the oldest permanent European settlement in the continental U.S.—it was founded 42 years before the English colonized Jamestown, 45 years before the Spanish established Santa Fe and 55 years before the...
St. Austell, England, is a seaside Cornish town 30 mi/50 km west of Plymouth. It is home to the Eden Project, a major horticultural attraction that draws gardeners—as well as folks just interested in nature. One of its striking, geodesic domes contains an entire rain forest. You can spend hours expl...
A luxuriant villa and an immaculate beach. Leisurely dinners alongside movie stars and supermodels. A vacation could be worse. But wanting a vacation on St. Barthelemy and having one are different things. This island's beauty, luxury and exclusive company come with a steep price tag. And should you...
Overview Introduction Architecture buffs will want to make a pilgrimage to St. John's Abbey and University in St. Cloud. Most of the monastery and campus were designed by Bauhaus-meister Marcel Breuer (note the soaring flat face of its bell tower). St. Cloud is 60 mi/96 km northwest of Minneapol...
St. Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, at 84 sq mi/220 sq km. The Danish influence still lingers there. The two major towns on St. Croix, Christiansted and Frederiksted, are anchored by forts and historic buildings, and the countryside around them is dotted with deserted sugar mills a...
Overview Introduction St. David's is a charming town in Wales, 113 mi/180 km northwest of Cardiff and named after the national patron saint. It is home to the lovely St. David's Cathedral and the adjacent ruined bishop's palace. Both are very much worth exploring. Plan at least a couple of hours ...
Fishing and boatbuilding are the main industries on this island located at the eastern end of Bermuda. St. David's is the site of the international airport but manages to maintain a quiet atmosphere. Carter House is one of Bermuda's oldest structures. It is said to have been built in 1640 by Chri...
The capital of Reunion Island, St. Denis is very attractive and has retained its 18th-century French colonial look. Although the city has few attractions, it's worth at least half a day to stroll along its streets, which are lined with historic wooden houses painted white. The Barachois seafront p...
Although the Caribbean is full of islands, few seem more islandlike than St. Eustatius. (Named for the Catholic Saint Eustace, the island is better known as "Statia.") This is partly because of the island's size—a tiny dot of land surrounded by immense ocean—but it's also because St. Eustatius seems...
Some of the most impressive and oft-photographed antebellum houses in the U.S. are in Louisiana. Especially noteworthy are those in the area around St. Francisville, north of Baton Rouge. Several of them offer dining and accommodations. A good first stop is at St. Francisville's West Feliciana Hist...
When driving from Switzerland to Austria or Liechtenstein, allow an extra night in St. Gallen. This charming town 50 mi/75 km east of Zurich has a strollable and traffic-free Old Town where you can visit St. Gallen's town square, the baroque cathedral and the world-renowned Stiftsbibliothek, the Abb...
St. George's, Bermuda, is a storybook town, with narrow alleys winding past historic buildings, and charming houses with gardens and whitewashed fences. Founded in 1612, it was Bermuda's first capital. King's Square, the heart of town, has shops and historic buildings. On Wednesday and Saturday a...
The sights of Grenada's capital city and tourist center can be seen in a day. St. George's is one of the prettiest cities in the Caribbean, wrapped around a horseshoe-shaped harbor and set against a background of deep green hills. Narrow cobblestoned streets are lined with a variety of colorful bui...
Overview Introduction This town sits on the banks of the Oyapock River, which separates Brazil from French Guiana. It offers the unique opportunity to take canoes and boats up the river to see Amerindian villages and the Saut Maripa waterfalls. One of the very last outposts of the fabled French F...
Really a western suburb of Paris, St. Germain is the home of the Musee des Antiquites Nationales, the national archaeological museum that documents the millennia of human presence in the territory of present-day France. It's a treasure trove for anyone interested in prehistoric, Celtic or Gallo-Roma...
Overview Introduction This seaside resort is set along 7 mi/11 km of coral beaches. Though the beaches are not ideal for swimming, you can snorkel over portions of the coral. In and around St. Gilles are the Garden of Eden botanical garden, a nine-hole golf course, places for camping, a horseback...
If you head a short distance out of Nice, France, to the northeast, you'll come to St. Jean Cap Ferrat, a seaside village in a beautiful location—on a peninsula jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea just between the cities of Nice and Monte Carlo. It boasts old-style Riviera glamour and has long at...
Renowned for its harbor, St. Jean de Luz, France, built its reputation on whaling and fishing. This small Basque-region town, about 20 mi/32 km south of Bayonne on the Atlantic coast, has a pretty harbor with colorful boats, atmospheric narrow streets and historical houses, among them the birthplac...
St. John, the smallest of the three major U.S. Virgin Islands, is laid-back with a casual, quirky ambience. The 19-sq-mi/49-sq-km island is considered the most scenic and the most unspoiled of the three main islands. This is largely because two-thirds of St. John was set aside as the Virgin Islan...
Lush and rural, St. John Parish, Barbados, is dotted with quaint villages and plantations, many of which are still working. Its beautiful parish church is usually open for viewing, and the panorama below is worth a trip. So is Bath Beach, and beyond it, Codrington College. The oldest theological ...
Antigua's largest city and the capital of the country, St. John's can be rather shabby in spots, but it's still a great place to visit. Plan a full day to see the sights, some of which date to the 1600s. One must-see is the Public Market. You may not recognize some of the tropical fruits and vegeta...
St. John's is the oldest city in Canada and one of the oldest cities in North America, but it can seem surprisingly young. Its roots date back almost five centuries, yet it boasts an eclectic blend of architectural styles and a modern, energetic atmosphere. Built around its harbor—a natural fortr...
Set in northeastern Vermont 70 mi/110 km east of Burlington and in the area known as the Northeast Kingdom, St. Johnsbury was an important railroad center in the 1800s. Today, it provides outstanding examples of Italianate residential architecture. While you're in town, visit the Fairbanks Museum ...
If you're a history buff, you'll be busy in this city in northwest Missouri. You'll find the Pony Express National Memorial, located in the structure where the legendary mail service began in 1860. The early headquarters of the service was the Patee House, which was a grand hotel of the time. Today,...
Some of the most stunning coastal scenery in Barbados is in St. Joseph Parish, from the spectacular views of Bathsheba to the quiet beaches of Cattlewash. The historic Atlantis Hotel in Tent Bay is a perfect spot from which to take in the views. Traditionally, this area is where locals go to spend...
St. Kitts is a charming island of lofty green peaks, valleys, fields of sugarcane, and a mix of tropical and arid scenery. The larger of the two islands that make up the nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, it is some 68 sq mi/109 sq km long. (You can drive around St. Kitts in about two hours.) The main c...
St. Kitts and Nevis is gradually shedding its reputation as the sleepiest two-island nation in the Caribbean. St. Kitts has spruced up Basseterre, the nation's capital and main port, and nearby Nevis (pronounced NEE-viss ) has renovated Charlestown, where well-to-do vacationers often stop to shop ...
If you've got time to drive from Ottawa to Toronto, this trip will take you past some lovely scenery and through some historic towns. It runs along the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Thousand Islands and Lake Ontario. If you're starting from Ottawa, take Highway 31 south to Morrisburg, on the St. Lawrence...
St. Louis, Missouri, got the nickname "Gateway to the West" thanks to pioneers in search of a better way of life who pursued their American dream by making tracks to this unique river city. But that heritage is only part of the charm. St. Louis is where Scott Joplin rolled out ragtime tunes and jaz...
The Caribbean island of St. Lucia possesses a wealth of natural beauty—lush mountains, a steaming sulfur volcano, 19,000 acres/7,690 hectares of rain forest (35% of the country), charming black- and white-sand beaches, rare colorful foliage and exotic wildlife. Add to this mix the pleasant St. Lucia...
At the north coast of the island, St. Lucy Parish is Barbados' wildest and most barren area, with steep cliffs battered by the Atlantic Ocean. North Point offers great views, but be wary of getting too close to the cliff edge—the waves rise spectacularly high, and chances are you'll get wet. Intere...
St. Maarten, the Dutch side of the island, is still somewhat more developed for tourism than the French side, with large hotels, villas, condos, resorts, time-share developments, casinos and an amazing variety of nightlife. Its capital, Philipsburg, is a favorite destination of cruise ships and pla...
If you had to pick a single island to represent the variety of travel experiences available in the entire Caribbean, St. Martin/St. Maarten would be a good choice. It has two nationalities, French and Dutch, which provide a good sampling of the different European cultures that have left their mark o...
St. Mary's City, Maryland's first state capital, is one of the nation's oldest communities. It is located 80 mi/130 km south of Baltimore. Historic St. Mary's City is an outdoor history museum where one admission fee will admit you to the State House of 1676, a tobacco plantation and the Maryland...
On the Eastern Shore 40 mi/65 km southeast of Baltimore, St. Michaels, Maryland, is a picturesque town that was once a shipbuilding center and is now popular with travelers; it merits a daylong visit. St. Michaels' inhabitants are perhaps most famous for having fooled the British during the War ...
The town of St. Moritz, Switzerland, is in Canton Graubunden, 145 mi/235 km southeast of Zurich in the beautiful and unspoiled Engadine Valley. It's famous as a chic ski resort and retreat for the wealthy. Be prepared for outrageous prices and a rather cold attitude exhibited by the residents. Nonet...
Overview Introduction The original capital of the island, the historic town of St. Paul has an underground cave and a picturesque cemetery. The city is also the center of geranium growing on the island. There are scenic drives in the area, one of the favorites leading to Maido for a spectacular v...
One of the best inland spots in the French Riviera region is St. Paul de Vence, a little town about 10 mi/15 km northeast of Cannes. Its setting, along with its reputation for attracting the rich and famous, makes it a wonderful place to have a meal or to browse its many art galleries. Just outs...
St. Petersburg has had three names in less than 100 years, changes that mirror the shifting political winds of Mother Russia. The names of its places and people are a roll call of Russian history of the 19th and 20th centuries: the Winter Palace, the czars, Dostoyevsky, the Catherine Palace, Tchaik...
Facing Tampa Bay on the opposite side from Tampa, the city of St. Petersburg, Florida, commonly referred to as St. Pete, attracts visitors with a vibrant downtown of historic buildings, a diverse arts scene, and cultural attractions such as the Salvador Dali Museum, the symphony at Ruth Eckerd Hall...
Overview Introduction This town on the southern coast offers visits to the Spice and Fragrance Garden and botanical paths in the Mare-Longue Forest. But perhaps more striking, about 5 mi/8 km east of town, the coast road passes through hardened lava flows in a region known as pays brule (burnt ...
Saint-Pierre, Martinique, is often called the Pompeii of the New World—in 1902, about 30,000 people perished under a cloud of molten ash and poisonous gas there, about 20 mi/32 km north of Fort de France. Before Mount Pelee erupted, Saint-Pierre was often likened to Paris for its beauty and sophisti...
Overview Introduction St. Pierre, the island's third-largest town, is interesting mostly for its atmosphere and covered market. There are white sand beaches to explore in and around the town. If you're into plant life, spend some time at the Exotica Garden, which is filled with succulents, palms ...
The islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, 140 mi/225 km southwest of St. John's, are a political oddity—they are the last North American foothold of the French. Though France lost the rest of Canada to Britain long ago, it continues to control these islands and uses them as bases for the French fishin...
The capital of Lower Austria, St. Polten has a nice pedestrian zone with gracious old buildings, churches, a Diocese museum and the Museum of the Province of Lower Austria. The interior of the Romanesque cathedral is one of the finest examples of baroque design in Austria. St. Polten, a convenient...
Overview Introduction About 80 mi/130 km south of Savannah, St. Simons Island is the largest of Georgia's four "Golden Islands," with plenty of options for golf, sand and sun stretched out over its 18 sq mi/46 sq km.
Lively St. Thomas is the duty-free mall of the Caribbean—take along your credit cards and an oversized shopping bag. Aside from nearly 400 duty-free shops and boutiques that sell everything you could possibly want to buy, you'll find spirited nightspots, good restaurants and luxury resorts around S...
Though its beach is far from the best on the French Riviera, the village of St. Tropez has great shopping, a picturesque old town and some very interesting exhibition spaces (including the Marine and the Annonciade museums). It first rose to fame after actress Brigitte Bardot took a liking to the sm...
The name of the nation, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, is a good clue that the largest island of St. Vincent is the country's political and economic center. Home to slaveholding plantations in the early colonial era, today St. Vincent's agricultural operations produce bananas, pineapple and arrowro...
More than 30 islands make up St. Vincent and the Grenadines; some are well-known and others are well-kept secrets. The islands provide an ideal destination for visitors who favor low-key elegance, ecoadventures, yachting and tranquility. Those who select one of the Grenadines for their getaway are t...
On the edge of Austria's scenic Lake District, just 20 mi/30 km east of Salzburg, St. Wolfgang is a romantic little town known for its Pilgrimage Church whose nine altars range in style from Gothic to baroque. The church's treasure is the intricately carved winged altarpiece by Gothic master Michael...
Overview Introduction In northwestern Iran between Maku and Tabriz, St. Thaddeus was Christianity's first sanctuary. The monastery, said to be built by Jude (also called Thaddeus, brother of the Apostle James), was destroyed, but the building now on its site is impressive, with friezes, fortified...
Picturesque Stamford, England, is known for its stone buildings, and visitors often see it while driving between Cambridge and Lincoln. The city's museum makes an entertaining break from strolling the winding, cobbled streets. Just outside town is Burghley House, a massive stone palace owned by th...
Overview Introduction A large area in the north-central part of the state, Standing Rock adjoins the Cheyenne River Reservation and is bordered on the east by the Missouri River. The burial site of Sitting Bull lies just west of the town of Mobridge. He was killed in 1890 as he was being arrested...
Overview Introduction Located in southern Bulgaria about 62 mi/100 km east of Plovdiv and 148 mi/235 km east of Sofia, Stara Zagora has many historic and recreational sites. If you're in the area, be sure to visit the remains of a settlement from the Neolithic Age, which is said to be one of the ...
The capital of Norway's offshore oil industry, Stavanger has grown into a distinctly modern city. Located on the coast south of Bergen about 190 mi/305 km southwest of Oslo, Stavanger has several interesting sights and museums, including restored 18th-century streets and houses; Domkirke, a Romanes...
On the Mississippi River southeast of St. Louis, this small town—more than any other in the Midwest—has retained a French-Creole heritage. In fact, some of its historic structures rival those found in states (such as Louisiana) that are more closely associated with Creole culture. A few of them are ...
Overview Introduction The picturesque village of Ste. Marie, Martinique, northeast of Fort de France on the Atlantic coast, is known for the tombolo, a seasonal sandbank connecting the small island to the shore in front of the town. This curious natural phenomenon allows one to visit the beautifu...
Overview Introduction At the eastern end of the St. Philippe lava flow, the Notre Dame de Lave Church in the coastal town of Ste. Rose was miraculously spared by a massive lava flow in 1977—lava entered the church, but didn't reach the altar. The church would be interesting to visit even if you w...
Nestled in an area of mountains, ranches and farms 115 mi/185 km northwest of Denver, Steamboat, Colorado, has an authentic Western feel, even as it hosts many visitors, most of whom go for the skiing. The secret to the town's appeal for skiers is its ability to blend world-class downhill conditio...
Visit Steinbach, located 30 mi/50 km southeast of Winnipeg, to see the 40-acre/16-hectare Mennonite Heritage Village, which documents the lives of early Mennonite settlers. Enjoy wandering through the village's restored prairie-sod house (called a semlin ), print shop and blacksmith's shop. Be su...
Located in the heartland of South Africa's winelands in the Western Cape, Stellenbosh offers more than 140 wine estates in the area, and a number of adventurous activities could keep visitors busy for days. Not only is the area filled with natural beauty but, with stellar food, fine dining and win...
Naturalists will be drawn to Stewart Island, 30 mi/50 km south of Invercargill, just off the southern tip of New Zealand's South Island. About 85% of the island is designated as the Rakiura National Park, which has New Zealand's highest level of conservation protection. This sparsely populated and...
Steyr, Austria, is an old mining town midway between Vienna (90 mi/140 km to its east) and Salzburg. It was the home of composer Franz Schubert and is a nice place to spend an afternoon. Stroll through Steyr's old town, viewing Renaissance and Gothic architecture, including the 17th-century Leopol...
Built by the got-it, flaunt-it lumber barons during the height of the logging era, Stillwater, 25mi/40 km east of Minneapolis and St. Paul, is a charming town along the scenic St. Croix River. Many of the Victorian mansions now serve as bed-and-breakfasts. The historic brick storefronts of Main Str...
Overview Introduction St. Laurent du Maroni sits directly across from Suriname, on the Maroni River. The main "attractions" are the local scenery and a former French transportation camp (the first stop for prisoners on their way to Devil's Island). One day is ample to visit the transportation cam...
Founded in 1659, Saint Louis, Senegal, is the oldest French settlement in Africa. It started out on N'Dar Island, a few miles/kilometers upstream of the Senegal River mouth and 115 mi/185 km north of Dakar. Today, Saint Louis spills over from the island to the Langue de Barbarie peninsula (the nar...
Artist Norman Rockwell spent his last years in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. A sizable collection of his works, most notably cover illustrations for the Saturday Evening Post , are displayed at the Norman Rockwell Museum. Another famous Stockbridge artist was Daniel Chester French. At his summer ho...
Stockholm, Sweden, is a city of contrasts. Unspoiled architecture dating back centuries is complemented by the best in modern Scandinavian design. Stockholm's appreciation of its culture and heritage shows in its theaters, concert halls and galleries, which showcase a rich variety of artistic innov...
Overview Introduction Located 40 mi/65 km north of Birmingham in the area called the Potteries, Stoke-on-Trent, England, is the home of Wedgwood, founded by Josiah Wedgwood (Charles Darwin's grandfather). The Wedgwood Visitor Centre is worth a tour. The Gladstone Pottery Museum is also excellent....
About an hour's drive north of Dubrovnik, Ston, Croatia, is known for its mussel and oyster beds. Every restaurant there serves the fresh, sweet oysters, nearly straight from the sea. The town, located where the Peljesac Peninsula joins the mainland, is surrounded by ancient walls—supposedly the l...
Stone Town, the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Most of the fine Arabic buildings clustered along narrow alleyways were built by the Omani sultans in the 19th century when Zanzibar was an important trading center on the Indian Ocean coast. But you can also...
Stonehenge, the circle of megalithic stones on the Salisbury Plain 80 mi/130 km southwest of London, may have been a religious site as long ago as 5000 BC. Various evidence points to ancient burials and possible religious activities. With Stonehenge now designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, a v...
The name of Stora Sjofallet National Park in Lapland means "big waterfall," because its huge waterfall was originally the main attraction of this park 580 mi/935 km north of Stockholm. In the early 1900s, however, a hydroelectric power plant was built that gradually decreased the waterfall's flow....
Located 32 mi/50 km east of Burlington, Stowe is a delightful mix of New England charm and apres-ski sophistication. It has scores of inns, lodges, condominiums, restaurants and shops. Activities such as skating, sleigh rides, swimming, cross-country skiing and indoor tennis are available. The Stowe...
Strasbourg, France, a 2,000-year-old city on the Rhine River in Alsace-Lorraine, offers an intriguing blend of cultures. It is the legislative and democratic capital of the European Union as well as being the home to a number of other international institutions. The town is famous for its beautifu...
The hometown of William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon is very touristy, but it's still a must-see. While in Stratford, which is 80 mi/130 km northwest of London, be sure to attend a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Take one of the city walking tours guided by a local playwright (th...
Overview Introduction It's worth at least a half-day's visit to the south-central Massachusetts town of Sturbridge to see Old Sturbridge Village, a reconstructed 1830s working village 55 mi/90 km southwest of Boston. Cattle and oxen graze the 200-acre/80-hectare living-history museum grounds. Dem...
In east-central Arkansas, 50 mi/80 km east of Little Rock, Stuttgart is the state's headquarters for rice farming. It's also great hunting and fishing territory, what with all the marshy land about. In fact, it claims the unusual title of Rice and Duck Capital of the World. When you're passing thr...
Beautifully set between the Swabian mountains and the Black Forest on the Neckar River, Stuttgart, Germany, dates to AD 950, though there have been settlements in the area since prehistoric times. Today it is a large industrial center, and the metropolitan area is automobile manufacturers Daimler AG...
Overview Introduction Located 75 mi/120 km northwest of Reykjavik on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Stykkisholmur, Iceland, is the jumping-off point for visits to the Snaefellsjokull, a glacier-capped extinct volcano marking the beguiling tundra connecting the peninsula's fishing villages such as He...
Overview Introduction This ancient Red Sea port is now inhabited mostly by cats. The town, best visited as a trip from Port Sudan, is on an island connected to the mainland by a causeway. Of interest are the ruined buildings, made of coral. 40 mi/65 km south of Port Sudan.
In spite of its modern appearance, Suceava once served as an ancient capital of Moldavia. Of interest are the Citadel of the Throne (Cetatea de Scaun)—you can climb its ramparts for a breathtaking view—the Bucovina Village Museum that showcases houses of the 18th-20th centuries, and the Monastery of...
The country's constitutional capital, Sucre is located in a scenic valley at an elevation of 8,900 ft/2,700 m. It is home to the Supreme Court of Bolivia and three universities. Sucre is one of the most relaxing and pleasant cities in Bolivia—the architecture has a European flavor, and the region h...
An ancient Sudanese proverb says that when Allah created Sudan, he laughed in delight. In recent years, there has been little in this harsh, beautiful land to make anyone smile. Although droughts plague its desert regions, Sudan has remained embroiled in one of the longest-running wars in the world...
Suez, Egypt, is located 80 mi/130 km east of Cairo and is one of the three main cities along the Suez Canal. The other two are Port Said to the north and Ismailia in the center; Suez is to the south. Suez was heavily damaged during the 1956, 1967 and 1973 wars and was almost completely evacuated b...
Known locally as "the Loaf," this ski area 110 mi/175 km north of Portland has the third-tallest peak (4,237 ft/1,291 m) in New England. It lies in the Carrabassett Valley of the Longfellow Mountains. Every level of skier, from beginner to expert, will find suitable terrain on this vast mountain wit...
Sukhothai, Thailand's first capital, has the most interesting and varied ruins in the country. The centerpiece of Sukhothai itself, 280 mi/450 km north of Bangkok, is a large monastery. Nearby is a colorful and fascinating market. Wat Mahathat has an abundance of Buddha images. If you're not joini...
Overview Introduction In northern Sind Province, this ancient capital (pop. 159,000) is now a thriving city on the Indus River. Religious sites abound: Climb the Masum Shah Minaret and visit the tomb of Shah Khairuddin Jilani (both are on the north side of town). There are some interesting old bu...
Referred to as "the orchid-shaped island," Sulawesi offers two distinct parts. The north is Christian and relatively modern, and the south is more primitive and much more interesting. Makassar (or Ujung Pandang) is the major point of entry for most visitors. This hot and dusty city has little of i...
This large island in western Indonesia is one of the world's most beautiful. Elephants, monkeys, beaches and the Palace of the Sultan of Deli are just a few of the reasons to visit Sumatra. The island's most popular attraction is Lake Toba, an enormous volcanic lake set in beautiful, almost alpine s...
The western villages of this beautiful island appear untouched by time, and the people have many unique traditions. The beginning of the planting season, for instance, brings the pasola , an elaborate ritual battle between villages held to ensure a good harvest. Pasolas are held on the second ful...
Sumbawa is an elongated, mountainous island reachable from Lombok in Bali by daily ferry. If you're looking to balance an out-of-the-way retreat with reasonable access to things to do, it hits the mark. You can see all of the sights in one day, but the ferry ride is just under two hours each way. Bo...
Overview Introduction On the shores of Lake Tanganyika, this park will appeal to adventurous anglers who can view hippos, buffalo, pukus and elephants before casting their lines for Nile perch, lake salmon and dozens of other sport fish. Accommodations are at Kasaba, Ndole Bay and Nkamba lodges. ...
Overview Introduction Founded in 1949, Sumgait is a fine example of a grim, Soviet-style industrial city. It's worth seeing if only to grasp the staggering damage the Soviet authorities inflicted on the environment. A 1988 massacre of its Armenian population further diminished the city's reputati...
Summerside, Prince Edward Island's second incorporated city, is 40 mi/65 km west of Charlottetown and home to several distinctive museums. The Eptek Art and Culture Centre, situated on the shore of Bedeque Bay, emphasizes history and fine-art exhibits. If you have a drop of Celtic blood in you, stop...
Located 90 mi/145 km east of Charleston, Summersville Lake, West Virginia's largest lake, is surrounded by 60 mi/97 km of shoreline. The waters of the Gauley River, fed by the Williams, Cranberry and Cherry rivers (all popular for trout fishing) are pooled into a lake with 2,790 acres/1,129 hectares...
Located in Dorchester County (about 45 minutes from Charleston traveling north on Highway 61), Summerville, South Carolina, was founded in 1785, when many plantation owners fled to this pineland village to escape the swamp fevers and insects. After the turn of the 20th century, Summerville became a ...
Eighty mi/125 km northwest of Johannesburg, Sun City is South Africa's answer to Las Vegas. Casinos abound, but the resort's most outrageous sight is The Lost City, an enormous complex that includes a water park. Statues of gazelles leap from towers crowned with palm fronds, and pools, stone bridges...
A favorite of Chiang Kai-shek, Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan, a man-made lake 50 mi/80 km southeast of Taichung, sits 2,500 ft/760 m above sea level near the center of Taiwan. Though it's beautiful, don't go to Sun Moon Lake for peace and quiet: It's by far the Republic's most popular tourist destination ...
Sun Valley, Idaho's most famous ski resort, was built in the 1930s by statesman Averell Harriman and is one of the nation's oldest and most elegant resorts. Since the first lift opened (the design was copied from a machine used to transport bananas onto fruit boats), the area, located 100 mi/160 km ...
Overview Introduction Set in the massive delta region of the Parma (or Ganges) River, this park is noted for its Royal Bengal tigers. Even if you don't spot a tiger, the mangrove swamps and forest are worth seeing. The park merits two nights. There's accommodation at Heron Point . About 80 mi/1...
Those looking for a fairly convenient excursion from Vancouver should consider the Sunshine Coast, which begins 20 mi/35 km northwest of Vancouver and stretches along Howe Sound and the Malaspina Strait from Langdale to Lund. The name comes from the 2,400 hours of sunshine the region receives every ...
Overview Introduction Visitors to this seaport town can still watch traditional dhows being built by hand. (Small model dhows make good souvenirs.) There are also a couple of interesting forts, Al-Ayjah and Sunaysilah. The best way to get there is on a dhow from Masqat (contact the tourist board ...
The second largest city in Indonesia and the heart of the movement that ultimately gained the nation its independence, Surabaya gets short shrift on the international tourism scene. Tourists in a hurry to get from Jakarta to Borobodur or Bali miss this historical and multicultural metropolis, but i...
Once the capital of central Java, Solo lost out to Yogyakarta and became a relaxed city with a lively cultural tradition. Solo was primed to develop as a major tourist site with the opening of an international airport; however, the city was severely damaged by riots in 1998, with Chinese-owned shops...
Hot, steamy Suriname is a gumbo of cultures. In Paramaribo, the capital, you'll find ingredients from Europe, Asia, Africa and South America: Towering palms shade tidy green squares and colonial brick buildings, Bush Negroes, known as Maroons (forest-dwelling descendants of escaped slaves), arrive i...
Fiji's capital, Suva, 135 mi/215 km by road east of Nadi, is on the southeast coast of the main island of Viti Levu. You'll need a day to see this bustling port city. Drive or take a bus up to Tamavua Ridge for a magnificent panoramic view and stop at the Municipal Market to shop for local goods (al...
Worth a visit to see its Roman ruins, Suweida also features the Suweida Museum (Roman mosaics), the basilica and the Temple to the God Dosares. While you're in the area, stop in Qanawat and Shahba (7 mi/11 km north of town), which has second-century Roman ruins—an amphitheater, gates, paved roads,...
Spiffed up for the 2002 World Cup, Suwon has always been a good side trip from Seoul, which is just 20 mi/32 km to the north. Built as a fortress city during the Joseon Dynasty in the 18th century, its city walls have been restored. Allow several hours to see its gates, walls, pavilions and small la...
Located 135 mi/220 km northeast of Moscow, Suzdal is one of the oldest towns in Russia, dating from 1024. It's full of onion-domed churches, monasteries and other examples of traditional Russian structures. Almost no buildings are taller than two stories. One monastery in town has rooms available fo...
Lying about 60 mi/95 km west of Shanghai, south of the Yangtze River delta, Suzhou, China, is a picturesque city in the coastal province of Jiangsu. One of the cities on the Grand Canal, it is often seen as a day trip from Shanghai (it's 30-90 minutes by rail, depending on the speed of your train). ...
The colonial town of Swakopmund, Namibia, lies on the coast, a four-hour drive west of Windhoek. It's a distinctly German place, populated with plenty of old German-style buildings, a number of beer gardens and a brewery (tours available with advance notice). It's also a popular seaside resort town ...
Located 40 mi/65 km west of Cardiff, Swansea is Wales' second-largest city and was poet Dylan Thomas' hometown. You can walk along the streets of the old town and the regenerated docklands—home to the National Waterfront Museum, which covers the industrial history of Wales. You can also visit the S...
Overview Introduction This far-northern district offers the chance to see an ancient kingdom that is relatively unspoiled by tourism. Once a seat of Tantric Buddhism, Swat is believed to be the garden mentioned in ancient Hindu fables. Alexander the Great passed through, and the region has been t...
In Sweden, the home of Volvo and Vikings, you can travel quickly from the sophisticated to the wild. Ride a train north from Stockholm to Lapland, and you'll be transported from one of the most cultured, orderly cities in the world to the untamed beauty of Arctic wilderness. Whether you prefer str...
Swift Current, Saskatchewan, also affectionately called Speedy Creek, is an oil city located 135 mi/215 km southwest of Saskatoon. The city is home to the Swift Current Museum (natural and regional history), the Art Gallery of Swift Current, and the Mennonite Heritage Village, which re-creates the l...
The popularized image of Switzerland is almost too perfect and timeless: spectacular Alpine scenery, cozy mountain chalets, dazzling ski runs, window boxes spilling over with red geraniums, tidy cities set on serene lakes, elegant grand hotels. Though you'll undoubtedly encounter these along the way...
Sydney, Australia, is a grand host that welcomes the world to its stage. In fact, the city thrives on the opportunity to show the world what it is: a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with trendsetting international cuisine, stellar architecture—think of the Sydney Opera House—and a spectacular harbor set...
As alluring as Nova Scotia's scenic routes are, you might also consider visiting Cape Breton Island's only city. Along with a boardwalk-edged waterfront, Sydney has numerous historic buildings, including Cossit House Museum. Believed to be the oldest residence in the city, it was erected by the town...
Overview Introduction This city lies in a hilly tea-growing region similar to Darjeeling, India. Sylhet's scenic valley is filled with lakes surrounded by terraced tea plantations, beautiful flora and interesting fauna (migratory birds from the Himalaya spend the winter there). Be sure to visit S...
Salt was once the city of Syracuse's claim to fame. Native Americans mined the mineral before white settlers arrived in the area. Later, this city 150 mi/241 km east of Buffalo was one of the biggest suppliers of salt in the U.S. Find out more about the city at the Museum of Science and Technology, ...
Syria is home to some of the best historical sites in the world. The country is an absolute treasure trove for those interested in ancient history, archaeology, medieval urban planning and architecture, or the culture of the Middle East. And with a government and public eager to welcome both indepen...
Situated in the northwestern corner of Poland about 125 mi/200 km northwest of Poznan, Szczecin is usually seen by visitors who cross into Poland from Berlin. We recommend stopping to see the 11th-century Castle of the Pomeranian Princes (Zamek Ksiaizat Pomorskich) and 14th-century St. James Cathe...
Szeged was rebuilt after a flood of the Tisza River in 1879. The University of Szeged gives the city the mood and spirit of a college town—complete with numerous riverside cafes, a variety of entertainment and interesting shops. It's known for its daring art-nouveau buildings designed by Ede Magyar,...
Overview Introduction Considered the oldest city in Hungary, Szekesfehervar was known in Roman times as Alba Regia. The remains of Stephen I, Hungary's first king, are buried there in St. Stephen's Cathedral. Also see the Istvan Kiraly Museum (history and archaeology) and Bory Var, an interesting...
Known as the City of Museums, Szentendre was founded in medieval times. Plan at least half a day to walk the town's hilly, winding streets among brightly colored buildings. Explore the Margit Kovacs Museum (exhibits of her ceramic work), the Karoly Ferenczy Museum (examples of Hungarian impressionis...
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