Search results for

Who can resist a waterfall, especially on this lush tropical island? There are a couple of easy options: Diamond Falls (though you can’t swim in its mineral-laden pool) and the 50-foot-high Toraille Falls, right off the main road near Sulphur Springs. For the more adventurous, some rocky hikes through dense rain forest come with the reward of stunning cascades. Dennery Falls, also known as Errand or Sault Falls, tumbles down from 55 feet up and is rarely crowded, though you’ll need a guide to find it. A two-hour guided hike through the steep Edmund Forest Reserve leads to Enbas Saut Falls, and its clear, cold pool is well worth the effort.

The Buccaneer has a long history. The colonial great house was built by Maltese knight Charles Martel in 1653. Located on a protected bluff, the house later became the home of Danish governor von Prock after Denmark’s 1733 purchase of the Virgin Islands. Fast-forward to 1947, when the Armstrong family transformed what was by then a cattle estate into the Buccaneer, St. Croix’s first family-run hotel. The resort, completely modern and still quite popular, operates the Buccaneer Golf Club, celebrated for its par 70 course that offers Caribbean views from 13 of its 18 holes.

Like the island nation’s other famous export—rum—cigar crafting is an art form. The best puros are made from aged tobacco and hand-rolled. And this intimate company, owned by a German expat, prides itself of small, quality productions. The shop at the factory is the best bet for freshness. A tour offers a sample. By request, tours take visitors through the 40 steps of cigar making. They include tobacco selection, as well as rolling and pressing. The shop at the factory is the best bet for superfresh cigars.

The place to start any visit to New Caledonia is with the people who first settled the islands. See how the Kanak lived, the art they made and how they’re preserving their culture at the Centre Culturel Jean-Marie Tjibaou, the absolute must-do in Nouméa. The Kanak, like so many other local groups in the Pacific, are working hard to bring back knowledge of the old ways; some of the first attempts to get the French out of the Pacific came from the Kanak. By exploring how they lived, you’ll understand what they want to bring back.

In the 1770s, at a time when islands were changing hands dozens of times, both the French and the British gave Tobago something every island needed—forts overlooking bays. Today, the cannons at Fort King George, constructed by the English, still point out to sea. Visitors enjoy the site, high on a hill over Scarborough, for its marvelous views. The restored stone structure that was once a barracks now houses the Tobago Museum, with exhibits of military relics, maps and pre-Columbian artifacts.

If you’re looking for an evening out playing the odds at cards or other games on the Turks and Caicos Islands, Casablanca Casino is the only spot that offers live gaming, with six games —including baccarat, blackjack, and roulette—at a dozen tables. You can also try your luck at any of the 85 slot machines, or simply enjoy a cocktail from the bar. The casino is located near Grace Bay, with free shuttles running to and from many of the resorts.

A short drive from Amman, the town of Madaba is home to one of Jordan’s largest Christian communities and several impressive churches. Of these, the Greek Orthodox St. George’s Church is the most interesting. The church wasn’t built until the end of the 19th century, but during construction workers uncovered one of the most important surviving artistic relics of the Byzantine era: the Madaba Mosaic Map. Created by artisans in the 6th century, the mosaic was once an intricate map of Holy Land sites, covering modern-day Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, and Egypt’s Sinai. Only a quarter of the original work survives today, but even this fragment, which sits in the floor of the church, shows astounding detail. Look closely and you’ll see fish swimming in the Jordan River, the walls and gates of Jerusalem, Mount Sinai, and even the Nile Delta. There’s also an excellent exhibition next to the church to help you get the most out of your viewing.

Beginning right at the entrance to downtown Cancún (kilometer 0, where the median is also home to a spacious outdoor gym) and tracing the Hotel Zone’s entire northern stretch, this wide, red-paved path is a favorite for runners, in-line skaters, and cyclists in search of outdoor exercise with a merciful bit of shade (the path along Boulevard Kukulcan is lined with jungle flora, palm trees, tropical plants, and a smattering of hotel entrances). Locals especially love working out on the Ciclopista early in the morning and in the evening, when temperatures are cooler.

For a romantic getaway or a business trip, Casulo will take care of you. It is conveniently located near downtown Austin and the airport, so you will never be too far from where you need to be. Have a drink at the spacious bar, take a bath in the French-modern airbath or the Japanese bath in the Jacuzzi Suite and curl up in bed after a busy day of sight seeing. The hotel staff is extremely friendly and always ready to cater to your needs. Jacuzzi Suite: French Bath: The ultimate in comfort, this six foot hydro-thermal massage for two will even light up your world. Japanese Bath: At nearly three feet deep with room for two, this full jacuzzi is the consummate de-stresser. ~387 sq ft

This novel walking tour combines a power work-out with sightseeing. You’ll climb a steep hill to reach a look-out spot with sweeping views of Vallarta and Banderas Bay, then descend to see Elizabeth Taylor’s and Richard Burton’s former homes (and the bridge that connected them), a tortilla factory, Cuale gardens, and a chocolate shop. Lots of samples and healthy snacks are included, as are plenty of photo ops.

The Florida Everglades is certainly one of the most unusual places to find a winery and brewery, but Schnebly Redland’s Winery excels in both arenas in what some would call “the middle of nowhere.” Guests are greeted by a stunning wine bar ahead, a beer bar to the right and a counter on the left that sells cheeses and snacks. You can also buy any of the selections you’ve imbibed, either bottles of wine or growlers of beer. The wines are unique, made from local fresh fruits like mango, guava and lychee and made on premises. Schnebly’s beers, brewed for Miami Brewing Company, are equally exotic, with brews like the Big Rod Coconut Ale or the Shark Attack Mango Wheat Ale. Tastings start at $7 and go up if you want to keep the glass. Tours of the facilities are available on weekends.

The Natural History Museum houses some 35 million specimens and artifacts spanning 4.5 billion years in history. But it isn’t just what’s inside this structure that’s historic: The main building itself dates all the way back to 1913, when a Sunday school teacher—upset by the seemingly unstoppable influx of saloons, gambling locales, and other centers of vice—convinced the city to develop what’s now called Exposition Park. Fast-forward to the present, and the Natural History Museum is more than just a place to see weird animal bones and models of long-extinct Homo sapiens. The museum hosts plenty of public events throughout the year, including mini nature festivals, evening cocktail parties, and opportunities for community science. The neighboring California Science Center is a draw for the kiddos, and Exposition Park as a whole is occasionally leased out for large-scale music fests.

They had me at the yellow building. I love wandering the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco and both Piccino restaurant and separate coffee bar, are lovely places to gather. The coffee bar on 22nd Street serves carefully crafted Sightglass organic coffee drinks. Their baking team aims to impress and I can’t get enough of the mushroom turnovers. Bonus: If you’re looking to make a to-go order from the Piccino restaurant around the corner, the coffee bar is where you’d place and pick up that order (hours have recently been extended until 10pm).

This has GOT to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. Located in the German side of Switzerland, Lauterbrunnen is a place fairy tales are made of. Waterfalls falling everywhere around you, the sound of cowbells in the distance, and little wooden shacks in the hills like you pictured when reading “Heidi”. Pretend you are in a different age and be Swiss for the day by taking a gondola up the mountain and indulging in a hot pot of cheese fondue and sourdough bread.

Many visitors to Peru stay in Miraflores, and for good reason: The neighborhood is where you’ll find most of the better hotels, as well as the top restaurants. Get off main streets to stroll the pretty side streets. Down by the ocean, walk the Malecón seawall and visit the Parque del Amor, or Love Park, to watch paragliders soar and bank overhead. The oceanfront is also home to Larcomar, an open-air shopping mall where you can grab a bite or shop for any items you may have forgotten.