Search results for

The Taj Mahal is referred to as “the jewel of Muslim art in India,” by UNESCO in its listing on the World Heritage Site registry. The Mughal ruler Shah Jahan had the truly magnificent white marble mausoleum built in 1632–1648, in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. For its construction, artisans from all over the empire, Central Asia, Iran, were summoned and the final result of their stonework, calligraphy, carvings, gardening, woodwork, and soaring domes remains one of the universally admired masterpieces of world heritage. Allot ample time to tour the site—besides the mausoleum, there is a mosque, a guest house, cloisters, courtyards, gates, and vast gardens. In addition to being stunningly beautiful from afar, the iconic site is evocatively romantic and up-close, the intricate details in its architecture, ornamentation, and history, are revealed.

Climb the grand baroque staircase and pass the Jesuit church, cross Gundulić Square, and follow the COLD DRINKS WITH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEW signs. Then, yes, walk through the walls. Buža translates to “a hole-in-the-wall,” and a hole-in-the-wall it is, one that leads to a cliffside ledge with a bar on it. From the moment you order a cool beverage off a simple menu, you begin to unwind. The backdrop to your drink is stunning: a sky-high stone parapet on one side and nothing but the blue sea between you and the horizon. This is the ideal spot for swooning over Adriatic sunsets.

One of the most popular day trips from Reykjavík, this dramatic and scenic rift valley is both the historical site of Iceland’s Viking parliament and a geological wonder in its own right. Among the highlights are the Almannagjá cliffs, where the island’s chieftains and most of the Icelandic population traditionally congregated for an annual Alþing (general assembly), the last of which was held as recently as 1798. Wooden walkways around the park lead to other sites of interest like the black-roofed Þingvellir Church and Þingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland. There are also waterfalls, flower-filled valleys, and abundant wildlife. It is possible to organize a diving trip to explore the tectonic rift that divides the Eurasian and North American plates, and there’s a visitor center with great views and decent coffee as well as exhibitions and a gift shop.

On this six-day itinerary, you’ll travel through Wyoming’s “Salt to Stone” Region, traversing the Star Valley Scenic Byway and Grand Teton National Park.

Songwriter and rapper Virtuous leads the way through the best places to take in live music—and feed your soul in between gigs—with this two-day itinerary.

This three-day itinerary caters to different travelers’ tastes with a smorgasbord of fun, from beach time and golf to water sports and tours—on land and in the island’s dazzling blue waters.

Enjoy global cuisines, explore Eastern Market, and visit renowned museums in this six-day itinerary.

In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, journalist Emily Pennington—author of the memoir Feral—shares what it was like to spend a year road-tripping to (nearly) all the national parks in the United States.

On this episode of View From Afar, host Billie Cohen talks with Visit Florida Keys and Key West CEO Kara Franker about why Key West—home of Fantasy Fest, the Conch Republic, and one of America’s most welcoming communities—refuses to be anything but itself.

Try everything under the Southwestern sun, from fry bread to squid-ink tortillas and omakase sushi, with this six-day travel itinerary.

On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene sits down with Afar senior editor Jennifer Hope Choi to explore what it means to travel with your stomach first and your itinerary second.

On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene travels to our nation’s capital and discovers the difference between Washington and D.C.

On this week’s episode of Travel Tales by AFAR, a traveler and his teen daughter embrace the trancelike nature of the Coast Starlight train.