Whether you’re looking to admire the city skyline or marvel at nature, mega Ferris wheels around the globe pair incredible sights with thrills for all ages. We’ve compiled the most incredible, neck-craning observation wheels in the world, from a wheel with origins that date back to 1897 to the world’s tallest, at 51 stories.—Zachary Laks
We all know Europe offers some of the best opportunities to see great art—from the Louvre in Paris to the Prado in Madrid to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. But as spring turns into summer, now is the time to head outside the museum walls—and away from the tourist crowds—and explore the relationship between art and the natural environment. These five sculpture parks are just the ticket.
It’s one of the unlikeliest places you’d expect to see top contemporary sculpture: on a sheep farm in a remote archipelago in western Sweden. Pilane Skulptur—about an hour’s drive from Gothenburg, on Tjorn Island—features site-specific works by prominent international artists such as Tony Cragg, Zhang Huan, Alice Aycock, and Claes Hake. The park is open from May to August, and the sculptures change each season, so every visit is a different experience. What doesn’t change? The dramatic setting: 20 acres of rolling hills punctuated by grazing sheep and piles of stones that are ancient burial markers dating back to the Iron Age. Among the noteworthy pieces for 2016 is Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa’s “Anna,” a 46-foot-tall white marble head perched atop Pilane’s highest ridge with views of the sea below.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Gothenburg Guide
At the Kroller-Muller Museum in the Netherlands, you can get your culture fix while also getting a workout. Nestled in the middle of Hoge Veluwe National Park, an hour’s drive from Amsterdam, the museum boasts a 60-acre sculpture garden—one of Europe’s largest—and the best way to reach it is by bike. Hop on one of the free two-wheelers at the entrance to the park (which itself covers 21 square miles) and pedal through the lovely natural setting, keeping an eye out for wild deer and boar. Among the collection of 160 modern and contemporary sculptures are pieces by Henry Moore, Claes Oldenburg, Barbara Hepworth, and Tom Claassen, plus a massive white concrete “garden within a garden” installation by Jean Dubuffet.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Amsterdam Guide
Night owls and early birds alike will appreciate Ekebergparken; located on the outskirts of Oslo, it’s the only sculpture park open 24/7, 365 days a year (bonus: it’s also free). The three-year-old park—financed entirely by Norwegian businessman Christian Ringnes to the tune of $70 million—may be young, but it already has an impressive (and still growing) collection. Among the 30-odd works scattered across 25 acres, most are from contemporary artists, including Louise Bourgeois, Damien Hirst, Tony Oursler, and Jenny Holtzer; classical sculptors Rodin, Renoir, and Maillol are also represented. The hilltop setting affords spectacular views of the capital, the Oslofjord and islands beyond. And don’t miss The Munch Spot, an overlook that the Norwegian artist used as a backdrop for his iconic painting “The Scream.”
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Oslo Guide
The masters of modern art meet the Mediterranean at the Maeght Foundation, where you’ll find hundreds of outdoor sculptures from the likes of Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, Jean Arp, and Alberto Giacometti just 15 miles from the French Riviera. The private collection, established in 1964, was a true collaboration; many of the artists worked with the Maeght family and the architect, Josep Lluis Sert, to create site-specific works for the museum building and grounds. Among the most famous is Jean Miro’s labyrinth, an in situ work featuring 250 mythological creations—crafted of marble, concrete and metal—set among stone-lined terraces. The sculpture garden also hosts temporary exhibitions; a Christo and Jeanne-Claude installation will premiere this summer featuring a mastaba (Egyptian tomb) of oil barrels.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s French Riviera Guide
The art of fine French wine and great contemporary sculpture seamlessly blend at Chateau La Coste, in the Luberon region, just outside Aix-en-Provence. In 2004, the winery invited artists and architects to create site-specific works across its 310-acre vineyard-dotted property. The result is a magnificent art and architecture walk that winds through the hilly, lush landscape, where you can spot Tom Shannon’s shiny stainless-steel sculpture “Drop”; one of Louise Bourgeois’s iconic spiders (this one emerging from a pool); three giant sheets of angular metal that form Richard Serra’s “Aix”; and atop a precipitous walkway, Tracey Amin’s “Cat Inside a Barrel.” Also on the grounds is a music-inspired pavilion from Frank Gehry and several structures from Japanese architect Tadeo Ando, including a modern glass frame he constructed around an ancient chapel. From now through September, a temporary show of new and recent sculpture from the avant-garde artist Lee Ufan will be on view.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Provence Guide
Hong Kong is a haven for gourmands and there’s rarely a shortage of hot new restaurants to try. Month after month, the city ushers in more international cuisine, design-forward interiors, and quirky new concepts. The Soho area is still a hub of foodie finds, but the western districts of Sheung Wan, Sai Ying Pun, and Kennedy Town have turned into hot spots as well. But it’s not all happening on Hong Kong Island: Kowloon is upping its gourmet game with a few impressive addresses with sky-high views. Get ready to feast your eyes on this delicious new lineup of restaurants in Hong Kong.—Kate Springer
Amelia Island, a dagger-shaped, 52-square-mile isle just south of the Georgia border, isn’t quite as well known as other seaside destinations in Florida. On Amelia, low-key days are spent on beach chairs or boats (sailing the Atlantic, kayaking the Intracoastal Waterway), and nights involve simple pleasures like mini golf, peel-and-eat shrimp, and ice cream sundaes. The vibe is a little preppy, with a whiff of Southern gentility underscored by the Spanish moss draped across the old-growth tress.
The first requirement for an Amelia Island getaway: a rental car. Fortunately, the rental cars desks at Jacksonville International are located right in the terminal by baggage claim, and the lots are just outside.
Depending on traffic, the ride to Amelia is 30 to 45 minutes from Jacksonville and fairly direct. Before you know it, you’ll be pulling into the valet lane at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort (rooms from $219). Buttercup-yellow and latticed with balconies, the resort’s main building looks like a stack of sugar wafers. Clusters of condos fan out from the core; beyond, clearings in the thick, green palmetto forest hide privately owned homes, where retirees welcome visiting grandkids.
Depending on when you check in, golfers may be milling about, waiting for black SUVs to whisk them to one of three on-property courses, or a pastel-clad wedding party could be kicking off their weekend festivities. The resort averages four weddings per weekend, and surveying the 1,350-acre property, it’s easy to see why. On the natural beauty side, there are wide, empty, white-sand beaches, otherworldly marshlands, and semitropical woodlands that feel like they could be inhabited by storybook characters. On the man-made beauty side, Omni invested over $85 million into renovating the entire resort with elegant design choices, from the driftwood chandelier lighting up the lobby to the gossamer drapes in the spacious tan-and-blue rooms. Oh, and speaking of rooms, each one has an ocean view.
After settling in, head down to the double-decker pool (one is adults only) to catch some sun before slightly-earlier-than-usual happy hour.
Dinner is a 10-minute drive from the resort at Gilbert's Underground Kitchen (average main $20), an island newcomer from chef Kenny Gilbert, competitor on Season 7 of Top Chef. The menu features Southern dishes (drop biscuits, fried catfish treated like Nashville hot chicken) and meats smoked on the barbecue; go with the sampler, which includes everything from lamb shoulder to gator ribs. After dinner, go for a scoop of gelato at Marché Burette, the Omni's on-site gourmet deli, and end your first night with 18 holes at Heron’s Cove Adventure Golf ($10).
After breakfast at the hotel, head out on a complimentary tour of the Sprouting Project, started by the Omni’s head chef, who turned an old flower greenhouse into an aquaponic system that feeds 720 lettuces, greens, and herbs that make their way into dishes throughout the resort. Outside, there are orchards of kaffir lime, nectarine, Meyer lemon, a pepper patch whose firebombs factor into the house-made mango hot sauce, a root cellar where Negronis and strawberry-violet vinegar age in barrels, and 28 beehives.
Continue the local food theme at the Fernandina Farmers’ Market, 10 minutes away in Amelia’s adorable main town, Fernandina Beach. Stock up on berries, pecans, and other snacks, then head to the docks behind Brett’s Waterway Cafe to catch your private boat for an afternoon cruise with Windward Sailing (private sails from $200). You’ll get a schooled in Sailing 101 as you slide out of Fernandina's harbor and down the wide Amelia River into Cumberland Sound and the Atlantic. Dolphin sightings are likely.
After the sail, spend a few hours relaxing on deserted Fort Clinch Beach, part of the state park of the same name. Throw on your flip-flops and do dinner at Timoti’s Seafood Shak, a casual, counter-service place in downtown Fernandina. All the seafood here, served in rice bowls, sandwiches, tacos, or baskets with hush puppies and fries, is local and wild caught. Grab a can of Swedish passionfruit cider and a seat outside and wait for your name to be called. Dig into blackened mahi mahi or fried Georgia shrimp while local kids cavort around the backyard pirate ship playground.
On the way back to the resort, stop at DeNucci’s Soft Serve, a sherbet-colored ice cream shop and drive-through. This family-run spot has all the requisite sundaes, shakes, blizzards, and cones, but one thing might catch your eye: If you’re a member of the Disney World Dole Whip cult, DeNucci’s is one of the handful of places outside the most magical place one earth you can find the coveted pineapple soft serve.
Start Sunday at Omni’s on-site Nature Center for an introduction to stand-up paddbleboarding ($55). The 90-minute guided tour will take you on a leisurely meander through the island’s marshy creeks and backwaters, home to manatees and dozens of species of birds. After, grab lunch at Oceanside—the curly plantain chips are great—and take some time to chill out by the pool or beach.
Dinner is back in Fernandina, but you’ll want to head over early since most of the shops along the main drag, Center Street, are dark by sundown. Check out the kitschy Cinnamon Bear County Store for Southern souvenirs, the Book Loft for rare and signed books, and Lori + Lulu for luxury womenswear and accessories. Grab pre-dinner drinks at the Green Turtle Tavern, a laid-back al fresco bar with live music and a serious bourbon selection.
Dinner is right across the street at 29 South (average main $22), a mellow fine-dining spot with tables on the porch and a garden in the back. There, chef/owner Scott Schwartz grows herbs, tomatoes, peas, and other crops that might appear on the specials list—like zucchini blossoms stuffed with lemony ricotta, cloaked in tempura batter and fried. Save room for ice cream down the street at the Fantastic Fudge. In addition to their eponymous treat, this old-timey spot scoops ice cream from Florida creamery Working Cow. Yeah, that’s ice cream three nights in row. If not on vacation, when?
Independent inns pepper Fernandina Beach’s historic district, and there are condos of varying quality to rent down along A1A, but the Omni is a great choice. Even though it’s a large resort (404 rooms), there always plenty of pool chairs to choose from.
Unlike the resort cities farther down the Florida coast, Amelia Island doesn’t have 80-degree winter days that lure snowbirds December through March. The area warms up in April, with high season starting around Easter, running through summer (with families on vacation) to Thanksgiving.
American, Delta, United Southwest, JetBlue, and Allegiant fly nonstop to Jacksonville from major U.S. cities. From Jacksonville, the drive to Amelia Island is about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Visiting Africa can be an exciting—if somewhat daunting—proposition, with 50-plus nations full of wondrous wildlife, transporting landscapes, and fascinating culture. A hassle-free cruise is an excellent way to sample the continent by exploring Africa's lengthy coastlines and numerous isles. While northern African cruises on the Nile and the Mediterranean have always been popular, the cruises listed here offer a more off-the-path exploration throughout the rest of the African continent. Just be forewarned: Africa cruising options are largely the domain of luxury cruise lines—as such, the privilege of joining many of these sailings doesn't come cheap.—Elissa Garay
Washington State has graced the world’s wine stage with its fabulous Pinots and an outstanding range of varietals. This vast area, consisting of Yakima Valley Wine Country,Woodinville Wine Country and the Tri-Cities, are pristine winemaking regions that embody tourism and hospitality at its finest. The countless wineries aside, it's easy to indulge at top-notch restaurants that focus on the incredible bounty found only in the Pacific Northwest. All of the wineries, no matter how big or small, are hidden gems, perfect for an afternoon picnic in their lush Northwest backyard.
—Kristen Oliveri
Golf, spas, and Major League Baseball spring training are just some of the things Scottsdale is best known for, but there’s much more to this lovely Arizona city. Visitors will find stunning hotels, innovative restaurants, impressive cultural institutions, and natural beauty. Ready to plan your trip? Read on to discover 10 reasons to visit Scottsdale. —Michael Alan Connelly
Just 80 kilometers east of Medellín, picturesque Guatapé is a lake-filled paradise ideal for either a vigorous day trip or a relaxing week. Originally indigenous territory before the arrival of Iberian conquistadores, the area is named after a tribal Cacique. The name now refers to both the colorful town, called Pueblo de Zócalos, and the man-made reservoir, which was built in the 1970s to provide hydroelectricity. The area is now home to a series of connected lakes that are the site of many water-based activites. Add to that the area’s year-round spring-like climate, and you’ve got a prime vacation spot known as the “Hamptons of the Medellín.” Here are five reasons to visit Guatapé.
In the 1970s, more than 6,000 hectares of land in Guatapé were flooded, which submerged the town of Peñol and created freshwater lakes, which you can navigate by boat. A boat ride will take you to the last remnant of the underwater town, a church cross emerging from the water. The lakes can also accommodate waterskiing, fishing, and scuba diving, but only in shallow areas. More adventurous souls should try the canopy zipline over the lake. You’ll find boats, paddleboards, jet skis, and kayaks for rent at the reservoir waterfront in Guatape.
On the border of Guatapé and El Peñol, La Piedra (The Stone) is a smooth 10 million-ton monolith looming 600 feet above ground, once worshipped by the Tahamies Indians. Don’t worry, you won’t have to break out the rope and harness to get to the top (unless you want to): A zipper of stairs wedged into a crack will take you 650 steps up to the top of the rock, where there’s a snack bar, religious artifacts, and spectacular views of the region. If your legs aren’t too shaky, do 100 more steps up the lookout tower for the ultimate birds-eye view.
The town of Guatapé, also called the Pueblo de Zócalos, is a trading hub for farmers. Stroll the cobblestone streets lined with colorful architecture, stop by the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen for mass, or shop for handmade crafts and jewelry. Don’t forget to stop for an excellent cup of coffee at Café La Viña, which you’ll find right by the huge silver fish sculpture in the town square. Find the “Calle Del Recuerdo” (Memory Lane), the only street that survived when the town was flooded by the reservoir. If you don’t want to walk, you can also take a ride on a tuk tuk.
By boat you can also visit La Manuela, the lakeside mansion once belonging to Pablo Escobar, and named for his daughter. One of many fincas owned by the notorious cartel boss, in 1993 it was bombed by rival Cali Cartel just eight months before Escobar was shot and killed while fleeing police in Medellín. It now sits, a decaying ruin neglected by the government, surrounded by beautiful water. On a tour, visitors are able to roam the graffiti-covered property, which includes a discotheque, tennis courts, stables, and a swimming pool. Keep an eye out for the double walls, which were used to store cocaine and money.
Some would say the best way to experience a country is through its food. Colombia is famous for coffee, and you’ll find an excellent cup at Café La Viña. Vegetarians gravitate to Etero Cocina Artesanal for its variety of delicious and healthful options. For traditional chicken and potato ajaico soup and tripe, pork, and chorizo mondongo soup, try Las Cazuelas de la Abuela, where if you’re lucky you’ll actually meet the namesake grandmother. You can’t leave Colombia without having bandeja paisa, traslanted to “food of the people.” Traditionally, the loaded-up plate is filled with beans, white rice, chicharron, ground meat, black pudding, chorizo, fried egg, sweet plantain, avocado, and arepa. Since Guatape is known for its trout, restaurants like La Fogata switch out the meat for fish. For a variety of food vendors with portable snacks, head to the malecón, or reservoir waterfront.
In big cities, space is at a premium, and the cramped hotel room is something travelers to cities like New York and London are familiar with—oversized and excess furniture in a too-small space.But there’s a new breed of small hotel: the microhotel. While the actual rooms might be small (think 250 square feet or less), the design is smart and sleek, with everything you need and nothing you don’t. Plus, the rest of the hotel is spacious and comfortable, promoting relaxation and mingling with new friends.— Devorah Lev-Tov
Marrakech is best known for its historic medina and souks filled with spices, colorful textiles, and leather goods. The tourist-packed streets can sometimes be more of a source of stress than pleasure, but luckily, the city is also filled with luxurious spas to offer visitors a respite from the hustle and bustle. After a busy day at the markets, indulge in a moment of peace at one of Marrakech’s most outstanding spas.
Inspired by Middle Eastern traditions and contemporary treatments, Le Spa offers salon services, facials, massages, and signature treatments. The sumptuous hammam also offers teen and kids' treatments specifically designed to introduce a younger generation to the benefits of relaxation and proper skin care. Le Spa has two suites located within their spa pavilion, each with its own private garden, Watsu pool, used for aquatic bodywork and passive aquatic therapy, and Rhasou, a clay mineral found in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco used in bath rituals to clean the body. The use of the spa pavilion is available for half- or full-day spa experiences.
Inspired by the historic cathedrals and mosques of the Andalusia, the Spa at Mandarin Oriental focuses on health, holistic healing, and rejuvenation. The spa has six treatment rooms, including two suites, all with private gardens that provide an outdoor space for guests to reflect and relax pre- or post-treatment. In addition, there are two Moroccan hammams, a beauty salon, and a hairdresser. There’s also a dedicated Thai massage room with private walled gardens and outdoor treatment areas.
With products from Aromatherapy Associates and ila, two brands that only use organic and natural ingredients, The Spa Namaskar creates a holistic sensory experience. The innovative spa menu has programs dedicated to stress management, anti-aging treatments, and even a rose pregnancy retreat with prenatal spa services. By using all-natural ingredients, the spa facilitates a connection between the guest, the therapist, and the elements.
Inspired by a Moroccan palace, The Clarins Spa is fully dedicated to well-being and beauty. The treatment menu is a combination of Moroccan traditions and the professional technical expertise of the Clarins brand. Beyond the massage rooms and hammam, the spa’s relaxation area features a pool, yoga pavilion, hair and beauty salon, barber, and a bar serving fresh fruit juices. Private areas reserved for women include a sauna with shower cascade, hammam, ice bath, and private garden.
One of the most calming spas in the city, La Sultana has two hammams along with a Jacuzzi, sauna, beauty center, hairdresser, balneotherapy baths, and indoor as well as open-air massage spaces. The La Sultana experience is magical, and one should plan to spend hours there. Same-day appointments are rarely available, so book in advance.
Not so long ago, you could hit Porto’s main attractions in a day or two: Wander the Old Town, cross the Dom Luís I Bridge, sip some port, and voilà, Portugal’s second-largest city could be checked off the list. But in the past decade, Porto has reinvented itself, shedding its reputation as a staid wine town to become a travel destination in its own right. The city now boasts envelope-pushing restaurants, restored historic sites, and breathtaking beaches. Sure, you’ll still want to sip through centuries of history at the port lodges along the Douro River (Graham’s offers a particularly enjoyable tour), but after you’ve emptied your glass, seek out these ten activities to discover a different side of Porto. —Benjamin Kemper
Like a drunken bumblebee amidst blossoms, I find myself again and again returning to certain contemporary novels composed by writers from eastern Europe. What is it about them I cannot resist? I did not grow up with any interest in eastern Europe. I do not have family there nor any other personal investment. But there is some unearthly, metaphysical pollen, some bewitching, etheric perfume in these books.
Some of the books on this list are by émigrés from eastern European countries now writing in English in Canada or America. Many of these emigrated as children and are now in the prime of their careers. Some are writers who remained in their home countries and are now, after the fall of the Soviet Union, finally free to say what they wish to say. Some are books that were written years or even decades ago, but only recently translated into English.
If there is a unifying quality to these books, I think it may be their astonishing humor—their perverse insistence that life, despite violence and murder, despite political persecution, despite human foibles and failings, is, after all, a comedy. Perhaps that is why I find myself returning to them again and again: for the strange way they make the heavy world, for just a moment, weightless.
If a book is about a deeply philosophical garbage man, I know immediately that that book is for me. In this case, the narrator is a writer banned by the state who decides to take a job as a street sweeper. The novel is delivered as a series of memories as he moves through the streets of Prague cleaning, revealing piece by piece his childhood, his relationships with his mother and father, and the current love triangle he finds himself in: torn between his intelligent and faithful wife, and a sculptress named Daria. Written as a response to the misogyny Klima perceived in Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Love and Garbage is a meditation on passion, sexual desire, death, and just what we are willing to throw away.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Prague Guide
Woman in Bronze combines two worlds that I had never imagined colliding before: the misty swamp and forestland of still-backward, turn-of-the-century Lithuania, where gods and devils abound, and the Paris of the Roaring Twenties, the locus of a modernity that was electrifying the world. Tomas Stumbras, an aspiring sculptor who spent his boyhood carving saints in Lithuania, moves to Paris, where he meets legendary dancer Josephine Baker and falls for a chorus girl as he pursues his dream of becoming an artist. Love, passion, art, and the devil are brought to life in unexpected and dazzling ways.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Lithuania Guide
The Door is, first and foremost, a book you have never read before. Strange and compelling to the point of addiction, The Door is about a woman’s relationship with her housekeeper. As Claire Messud wrote in her New York Times review, “It has altered the way I understand my own life.” Read it right now.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Hungary Guide
I very much enjoyed Bezmozgis’s short story collection, Natasha, and The Betrayers has the economy and stylistic grace of those stories, but a lot more heart. The novel takes place in a single day, and follows Baruch Kotler, an ex-Soviet Israeli politician who travels to Yalta with his young mistress to flee tabloids filled with the news of their affair. By chance, they rent a room from a man who turns out to be the friend who turned Baruch over to the KGB in their youth, condemning him to 13 years in a gulag. Politically and philosophically interrogative, rich in potent silences and dangerous conversations, The Betrayers is hard to put down and paints an astute and brutal portrait of the refusenik era.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Yalta Guide
Embers, originally published in 1942, is by far the oldest book on this list and has a slightly different tenor. Marai was a celebrated Hungarian novelist in the 1930s, but after World War II, he was persecuted and his books suppressed. He fled Hungary in 1948 and died in 1989 in San Diego, one year before Embers was reprinted and went on to become an international bestseller. The plot of Embers, which bears a striking structural resemblance to Bezmozgis’s The Betrayers, takes place on a single day and recounts the dinner between two old friends who have not seen each other in 41 years, since one of them deeply betrayed the other. Heartbreaking and beautifully written, Embers is also essential to understanding the world that was lost in eastern Europe and the moral price of modernity.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Hungary Guide
The Afterlife of Stars follows two young brothers, Robert and Atilla, as they escape Hungary after the Russian tanks roll into the public squares of Budapest. Kertes presents these boys not as symbols of innocence in a polemic; they are not saccharine, they are not sweet. They are simply what they are: young boys, observing the world with terrifying clarity. I return to this wild, romping, hilarious, and deeply poetic book that again and again for lessons on writing, but also on how to be human.
Rufi Thorpe is the Author of Dear Fang, With Love, on sale May 24, 2016.
The great game of golf may have been born in Scotland, but there are breathtakingly beautiful, wonderfully challenging courses all over the world—particularly in the U.S., home to 50 percent of the world’s courses. Whether you're looking for a links-style course or a parkland design, these resorts feature some of the world's best fairways, with stunning scenery to take in while you work on lowering your handicap. From California to South Carolina, and Nova Scotia to South Africa, here’s where you’ll find the world’s best golf resorts.
by Abbey Chase
Even in the summer, when the beaches are crowded and the piazzas teem with tourists, there’s no denying the magic of the Amalfi Coast. Easily accessible thanks to its proximity to Naples—the largest city in southern Italy—the picturesque coastline and its jewel-box towns make for the perfect weekend escape. Whether you decide to visit during the buzzy height of summer or in the breezy shoulder season, our long weekend itinerary will give you an authentic taste of the Amalfi Coast.
First, check in at the blissful Monastero Santa Rosa, a 17th-century convent-turned-luxury boutique hotel perched high in the cliffs of Conca dei Marini. With its ideal location—nestled between the famous towns of Amalfi and Positano, but secluded enough from the tourist crowds—it makes the perfect home base for the weekend. Kick off the morning with a dip in their spectacular clifftop infinity pool, which overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea and the entire expanse of the Amalfi Coast. Follow up with a wine-fueled lunch on the sun-drenched outdoor terrace of Il Refettorio, the hotel’s excellent ocean-facing restaurant.
Properly refreshed, take the free hotel shuttle to the town of Amalfi, a 10-minute drive north. Spend the remaining hours of the afternoon exploring the tiny, charming town, home to many sun-filled piazzas and a tiny beach flanked by soaring cliffs. Climb the grand staircase to the Amalfi Cathedral, which towers dramatically over the town, and admire its Moorish arches, medieval murals, and Byzantine mosaics. After, drop into the Amalfi Paper Museum, located in a 13th-century paper mill, where you can peek at vintage paper mills and even assist in handmade paper production using ancient methods.
Before the sun sinks below the horizon, hop on one of the many sunset cruises that depart from the port of Amalfi and circle the private archipelago islands of Li Galli, which sit off the coast of Positano. Watch the sun set from the deck, glass of Prosecco in hand, or from the ocean (most operators will pause for an optional dip or snorkel halfway through the trip). Stop into Marina Grande for an exceptionally fresh seafood dinner before the shuttle ride back to your hotel, where strawberries and a chilled bottle of Prosecco await.
Dedicate the first part of your day to Positano, the coast’s most picturesque destination. Fuel up with a quick breakfast brioche and cappuccino at Buca di Bacco, then spend the morning exploring the pretty cliffside town. There are endless boutiques to poke around in, slinging everything from hand-painted ceramics to custom-made leather sandals (the family-owned La Botteguccia on Via Regina make the best sandals in town). Alternatively, you can simply lie out on Spiaggia Grande, the town’s largest and longest beach.
For lunch, hop on a boat to Da Adolfo, an Amalfi Coast hidden gem. The casual trattoria is about a 10-minute boat ride from Positano (look for the tiny boat with the red fish). It’s shabby-chic, with barefoot waiters, paper tablecloths, and chalkboard menus, but the food sings of Amalfi flavors (grilled mozzarella on lemon leaves, anchovies tossed in green peppers, and mussels in a tangy tomato sauce). Wash it all down with a carafe of chilled white wine infused with slices of local peaches, and have a breezy, post-lunch snooze on the day beds provided by the restaurant.
Catch a boat back to Positano for some more leisurely late-afternoon exploration: the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is worth a visit for its colorful majolica-tiled dome and its 13th-century Byzantine artwork. Or take a bus up to Ravello, a clifftop town suspended 1,000 feet above the sea. Here, you’ll find the best views over the Amalfi Coast, particularly from Villa Rufolo, the 13th-century villa famed for its lush, beautiful gardens. Have a homemade pasta dinner at Cumpa Cosimo, a cantina devotedly run by “Mamma” Netta Bottone for over 60 years, before calling it a day.
After a breakfast cornetto and cappuccino at Bar Pasticceria Leone in Amalfi, invest in a half-day boat tour along the Amalfi Coast—because let’s face it, the best way to see the coast is from the sea. L’Uomo e il Mare offers terrific half-day boat tours that cruise past colorful towns like Praiano and Conca dei Marini, and iconic Amalfi Coast attractions like the Fjord of Furore and the Emerald Grotto. Added bonus: You get to stop at Pandora's Grotto for a quick, refreshing swim halfway through.
Upon your return to Amalfi, enjoy a leisurely lunch at La Caravella, known for its simple but exceptionally flavorful regional dishes like ricotta-stuffed cuttlefish ink pasta, whitefish gratin, and mozzarella-stuffed anchovies. If you’re feeling ambitious, spend the remainder of the afternoon hiking Sentiero degli Dei, or the Path of the Gods. The four-hour walk begins in Bomerano and ends in Positano (you can catch a Sita bus to Bomerano from Amalfi, or have your hotel organize a private transfer directly to the trailhead, which is the easiest and fastest option). The walk is long, but not particularly strenuous, and it’s well worth the show-stopping views.
For your last dinner on the Amalfi Coast, head to Donna Rosa, a delightfully cozy trattoria beloved by locals and celebrities alike (including chef Jamie Oliver, who was so impressed by its chef, Erika, that he took her under his wing). The family-run eatery serves hearty homemade pastas and excellent seafood, like perfectly charred sea bass and mussels cooked in garlic and butter. Cap off the evening with their famous chocolate shuffle (rich, yet light as air) and shots of homemade limoncello. Buonissimo.
There's something about sightseeing from the water that just can't be beat. Ferryboats offer the most scenic, economical, and often the fastest, way to get from one point to another. Here are 20 of the most sensational ferry rides, offering everything from thrilling urban skylines to breathtaking natural beauty. Most of these ferries have onboard amenities—from free WiFi, restaurants, and lounges to sleeper berths—making your transit totally stress-free. All you need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride! —Jennifer Ladonne
We all want to visit a bar where everyone knows our name—but what if we went to one where everyone knew our favorite spirit? Whiskey bars, which offer that luxury, are growing in popularity and have become a welcome alternative to neighborhood tippling spots and upscale wine lounges. Visitors can get a taste of classic Southern spirits in a laid-back environment, discovering unique pours that have been around since Prohibition. Whether you’re sipping a bourbon cocktail at Seattle’s Rob Roy or enjoying a whiskey on the rocks at D.C.’s Jack Rose Dining Saloon, you’ll gain a greater appreciation for the classic American spirit. Here are our picks for America’s best whiskey bars.
By Emily Wasserman
Now more than ever, the world is in the midst of a whisky craze, with distilleries all over the world finding it nearly impossible to keep up with growing demand. No category of whisky is more prized than single malts, and within that category, the best of the best is single malt Scotch whisky. If you want to drink Scotch, well, you can do that anywhere. If you want to learn about it, to truly understand what makes it liquid gold, then you need to go to Scotland, where whisky is a source of passion and pride, nothing short of a national treasure.
There are whisky distilleries all over the country, but first-timers are best off visiting the valley of the River Spey, where so-called Speyside whisky is made. (To get here, it’s a beautiful 90-minute drive from Aberdeen, which is easily accessible by train from Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London.) The region is home to many fine distilleries—Aberlour, Glenlivet, Macallan—which is why you’ll find the Malt Whisky Trail here. If you have the time, by all means visit all nine stops along the trail. If your time is limited, then you’ll want to head straight to Dufftown, sometimes called the malt whisky capital of the world.
Dufftown is a small, simple burgh surrounded by stunning heather-clad hills, and the purity of the landscape makes it immediately apparent why some of the world’s finest whiskies are produced here, primarily by two of the biggest names in the business: Glenfiddich (pronounced “glenfiddick”) and The Balvenie. Founded in 1886 by William Grant, Glenfiddich, which translates to “valley of the deer,” is the world’s most awarded and best-selling single malt Scotch whisky; The Balvenie, founded in 1892 by William Grant, is the last distillery in the Scottish Highlands producing single malts in the old-fashioned, start-to-finish handmade method. Sitting side by side, these sister properties provide an comprehensive education about the world of single malts.
Many visitors stop first at the Glenfiddich Distillery, where the first spirit flowed from the copper stills on Christmas Day in 1887. Glenfiddich has been producing whisky in the same way since then, but the company is notable for essentially inventing the market for single malt Scotch whisky in 1963; prior to that year, most of the whisky that was sold around the world was blended from various sources. Under legal regulations, single malt Scotch whisky is made exclusively from malted barley, produced in pot stills at a single distillery, and aged for a minimum of three years in oak casks. Blended whisky, on the other hand, is a combination of spirits made at different distilleries. Much as wine enthusiasts focus on terroir, single malt fans love this type of whisky specifically for the unique characteristics each bottle exhibits in color, aroma, and taste, individual qualities that might get muted in a blended whisky.
You can learn all this and more if you sign up for one of Glenfiddich’s three tours. For beginners, the Explorers Tour (£10 per person) offers a 90-minute crash course in the history of this family-owned company and the production of single malt whisky, from barley to mash to spirit to cask. After walking through the mash house, still house, and to warehouses, tour guests sit down for a guided nosing and tasting of four whiskies. The Glenfiddich Solera: Deconstructed tour (£50 per person) focuses specifically on the 15-year Solera whiskies, and gives tour guests the opportunity to taste four whiskies of this age and create their own blend to keep. Finally, the four-hour Pioneers Tour (£95 per person) is designed for experienced whisky enthusiasts, and includes a 200 mL bottle filled from one of four casks, followed by a tasting of five of Glenfiddich’s finest offerings, served with canapés.
Regardless of which tour you select, you’ll learn a great deal, including why Glenfiddich has unusually shaped stills, the meaning of terms like “angel’s share” and “devil’s cut,” and how the water source in the Robbie Dhu springs creates a superior finished product. You might also learn about Glenfiddich’s limited-edition releases of unique whisky expressions. For example, the Rare Collection is a series of one-of-a-kind whiskies that can never be reproduced. Last December saw the release of Glenfiddich 1978 Rare Collection, a single-cask release that yielded fewer than 150 bottles, each priced at $3,500. That Glenfiddich is able to produce such unique expressions, and that there is a hungry market for these special releases, speaks to its position at the top of the single malt game.
A trip to The Balvenie Distillery features many of the same delights, only you’ll learn how this property is committed to tradition in a way few others are. Unlike Glenfiddich, which purchases its malted barley, The Balvenie employs a process known as floor malting to prepare locally grown barley for production. Of the 100 or so whisky distilleries in Scotland, The Balvenie is one of six that still has a malting floor. The distillery’s three-hour tour (£35 per person) takes visitors through the malting, mashing, fermenting, and distilling processes, concluding with a five-malt tasting. Also in accordance with tradition, the distillery maintains its own cooperage, where workers build and mend casks as needed; you’ll see the fruits of their labor during the tour. There are only nine tours per week, each capped at eight people, and none on weekends, so booking in advance and planning your visit on the right day are essential. For an additional £25, visitors can also bottle their own Balvenie after the tour.
Having had your fill of liquid gold, make sure you don’t ignore the other sights. The beautiful landscape practically begs to be explored, and the ruins of 13th-century Balvenie Castle sit a short walk away from the distilleries. And don’t miss lunch at the Glenfiddich’s Malt Barn, where you can bravely taste Scotland’s traditional dish of haggis, potatoes, and turnips. Afterward, take a seat at the bar, which pours the largest selection of Glenfiddich whiskies in the world, including one from 1958 that costs £1,250 a dram. You’ll also find edible treats such as whisky-infused honey and fudge that make great gifts and reminders of your newly acquired whisky expertise.
If you'd like to stay in Dufftown, the 19th-century Fife Arms is your best bet rather than the town's B&Bs. If you're willing to go farther afield for something special, the Castle Hotel is a charming old estate just 20 minutes away. Only 10 minutes away, The Craigellachie Hotel is a posh property with a whisky bar featuring more than 750 bottles of single malts.
Even in a country filled with delights, Lake Como sits at the top of many wish lists for travelers visiting Italy. A popular retreat for aristocrats and the wealthy going back to Roman times, this Y-shaped lake continues to exert a powerful pull on imaginations thanks to the historic villas, stunning gardens, sleepy villages, and Belle Époque–era resorts lining its shores, not to mention the jaw-dropping views of the Alps. But not every visit here is identical, as there are numerous lakeside towns to choose from, each offering its own splendors. Accordingly, we’ve handpicked the 15 best towns on Lake Como, whether you want to mingle with the summer crowds or escape them altogether. —Michael Alan Connelly
China’s breadth is incredible, stretching from the East China Sea all the way west to Central Asia. In Shanghai, urbanites bite into delicate xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) while 3,000 miles away in Kashgar, closer to Baghdad than Beijing, Uyghurs sit for lamb kebabs and naan.The Middle Kingdom is a country of superlatives—the most people, the largest palace complex, the highest skyscrapers—but look closer and you’ll see it’s also one where hill tribes work rice fields, prized tea is still picked by hand, and you can find yourself alone on the Great Wall. To try and see everything would be overwhelming, but tackle this list of 25 fantastic China experiences and you’ll have stories to tell for years to come. —Sophie Friedman
Although it is a country rich in heritage and cultural exports, Colombia’s dominant narrative in recent history has been of violence. But though Medellín—the home of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar and the city that bore the brunt of the carnage—is by no means healed, it is in recovery. This is seen, and in some cases critically reflected, through spaces of art, from the historically informed graffiti in the former drug stronghold of Comuna 13 to the museums blending old and new, to clothing and furniture design to the voluminous works of Botero. That art now flourishes is an indication of renewal. For a background on the city’s past conflict, visit the Museo Casa de la Memoria which includes statistics, news reports, and personal accounts of victims. Then check out below for where to scope out art in Medellín today.
In the west of the city is Comuna 13, one of the poorest and formerly one of the most violent barrios in the city. During the Escobar regime it served as a major hub for trade and later became a stronghold for gangs because of its hilly geography in the Andes, which created a natural fortress for hiding. Today it is an example of the wonders of urban regeneration projects and the home of the famous 28-story outdoor escalators helping residents travel to and from their homes in the steep terrain. The area is also famous for its vibrant community-inspired graffiti murals, commissioned by the government. It is advisable to take a tour to safely view pieces and have a tutorial on how visual symbols—like white handkerchiefs of peace held by elephants—relate to Colombia’s history.
Medellín is the proud birthplace of figurative artist Fernando Botero, who despite spending much of his time abroad has titled himself "the most Colombian of Colombian artists." You’ll find both tourists and native Colombians lounging around (and on) his distinctively rotund bronze statues in Plaza Botero or Plaza de Las Esculturas (Sculpture Plaza) in the city center, just steps from the Parque Berrio metro station. Donated by Botero himself, the 23 bronze sculptures include crowd-pleasers like Hombre a Caballo (Man on Horseback) and Soldado Romano (Roman Soldier). Here is also where you’ll find the architecturally stunning Uribe Palace of Culture, the Museo de Antioquia, native ceiba trees, and beautiful sky-reaching palms.
Surrounded by the Plaza Botero, the Museo de Antioquia is Colombia’s second-oldest museum. Founded in 1991 by Doctor Manuel Uribe Ángel, Antonio José Restrepo, and Colonel Martín Gómez as the Museo de Zea, it was named after the botanist and diplomat Francisco Antonio Zea. It later evolved to contribute in the preservation and development of the arts. Besides Botero’s works—the first of which was donated in the 1970s—you can find pre-Columbian, colonial, and modern pieces, as well as a screening room for historical films and a comprehensive resource library.
The Medellín Museum of Modern Art (or MAMM) holds a core collection both historically and artistically valuable to Colombia, with 2,000 pieces by artists like Beatriz González and Enrique Grau. It is the destination for the single largest collection of works by the transgressive Medellín-born master Débora Arango. The museum’s original space was in a small house, but it has been moved to a stunning and cavernous former steel mill. The museum has carved out a vital cultural space within the community by promoting emerging artists and hosting film and music events.
Design is a way through which Colombians have sought to preserve their history while embracing innovation. The Blue House in downtown Medellín integrates art into its one-of-a-kind exquisite pieces of furniture, lighting, and accessories like scarves and necklaces, all manufactured in Colombia. The space also doubles as a gallery for painters and sculptors, curated by Timebag, an organization of artists that create and find alternative exhibition spaces. Nearby Makeno showcases emerging clothing and jewelry designers in a large, airy space with a café on the premises. Every year Medellín also hosts a design week, integrating design and art in events all over the city, including concerts. This year’s design week is June 18–24.
Galleries are an easy way to take in the scope of Medellín's art scene. The classic 45-year-old contemporary Galeria de La Oficiana was created by Alberto Sierra, who was also instrumental in the creation of MAMM. Younger and edgier contemporary art spots include Lokkus Arte Contemporáneo and Plecto. PorEstosDías and Taller7 house independent art spaces and artist collectives, while Casa Museo Pedro Nel Gómez is the space where the influential painter worked and lived, with an extensive collection of his works.
If the visual arts is a priority, why not stay somewhere with a creative theme? The Art Hotel is a cozy boutique experience that curates its brick walls with colorful modern pieces. There’s also a spa to relax in, which will be more than welcome after a day of gallery-hopping. Staying a few blocks away at the chic The Charlee – Medellín is like living in a work of art. Rotating exhibits by local artists hang throughout the space while the stairwells and garage are painted with eye-popping street art, which also rotates every few months. The Charlee also has a rooftop bar and is surrounded by the liveliest nightlife in Medellín.
There was a time when staying in a hostel meant bare-bones accommodations, dingy bathrooms shared with countless others, and inedible food. These days, however, hostels have completely transformed, and now they’re the hottest thing in hospitality. In recent years, more and more hostels have begun to focus on design, food, and the guest experience while still keeping prices reasonable. Craft cocktails, locally sourced meals, cultural activities, historic buildings, and cutting-edge design are key elements at these new hostels, not to mention private rooms. From New York City to Tokyo, here are 20 outstanding hostels where you can pay less and still have an unforgettable stay. —Michael Alan Connelly
Switzerland often tops quality-of-life surveys thanks to the country's emphasis on wellness and health. It’s no surprise, then, that spas have a long history there—for centuries, the Swiss have been bathing in the many natural springs that bubble from the country’s rugged terrain. Many hotels have their own spas that guests are free to use, although treatments usually cost extra. Soaking in the warm waters of a thermal bath or getting a massage is the perfect way to relieve sore muscles after skiing, hiking, or biking in the nearby mountains. Today’s Swiss spas combine European wellness practices with modern therapies and global treatments from counties like Japan, Russia, and Turkey. Many are modernized to show off impressive contemporary design and feature floor-to-ceiling windows and other architectural elements to accentuate the beautiful views of the Alpine scenery.—Meredith Bethune
Myanmar is fast becoming a hot spot for off-the-beaten track experiences in Asia, from rugged mountain treks to ancient temples. Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar, has much to see, from the shining Shwedagon Pagoda to sun-dappled lakes, frenetic night markets, and historic architecture. A British colony from 1824 to 1948, Yangon retains elements of its colonial past, visible in cozy tea houses and a handful of photogenic heritage hotels. These old-world abodes will be your best bets for accommodations if you’re keen to soak up Yangon’s past and present.
Located in a quiet, leafy district surrounded by embassies, the Belmond Governor's Residence isn’t your typical colonial outpost. Instead of a bright white British-style facade, this luxury resort from the Belmond group is housed in a 1920s teak mansion that was once owned by the ruler of Myanmar's southern states. It presents open-air luxury at every turn, from the crisp welcome juice to the alfresco Mandalay Restaurant, shimmering fan-shaped pool, and timber-clad Kipling Bar. While you’re there, enjoy private tables in the garden courtyard and relax in the spacious suites—rooms start at 420 square feet and all come equipped with rain showers, free-form terrazzo baths, daily tea-time treats, hand-carved canopy beds, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Creaky wood floors, open-air restaurants, a secret garden pool—Hotel Savoy checks all of the boxes when it comes to heritage-chic luxury. With only 30 rooms and suites on site, the boutique address exudes a relaxed vibe that’s chock-full of bygone colonial charm. Throughout the corridors, restaurants, and guest rooms, look for Myanmar antiques, tiled floors, and loads of teak furniture. Upstairs, Kipling’s Restaurant overlooks the peaceful pool while the Captain’s Bar feels like a good old-fashioned watering hole with no-frills beer and live music. It’s a bit outside of the city center, but the location affords easy access to the Shwedagon Pagoda, People's Park, and a plethora of local eateries.
Located along sparkling Kandawgyi Lake, this historic building dates back to 1934, when it debuted as the Rangoon Rowing Club, popular among British officers. Since then, it’s been through many incarnations, including a stint as the city’s welfare department, another role as the Union Club Burma, and later the National Biological Museum. Around 1979, Kandawgyi Palace Hotel first emerged in the form of a few bungalows, followed by the grand teak hotel you see today. The modern incarnation has embraced Myanmar-style architecture, which incorporates red brick, teak, gleaming gold accents, and beautifully manicured gardens where there’s a dinosaur sculpture left over from the museum.
Built in 1901,The Strand Yangon was originally owned by the Armenian Sarkies Brothers, who also ran the Eastern and Oriental in Penang and Raffles in Singapore. This grande dame is undergoing a massive renovation at the moment, with plans to unveil an updated look in November 2016. The facelift aims to usher in a glamorous new era for the hotel, with gleaming marble floors, polished teak wood, sparkling chandeliers, and smart technology in the 31 suites. Of course, The Strand Yangon will keep all of its award-winning heritage features intact, but the updates and additions will restore the historic address to its former glory. Over the last 100-plus years, the hotel has hosted well-heeled travelers, artists, heads of state, and writers including the likes of Rudyard Kipling and George Orwell.
The Sule Shangri-La was actually built in the early 1990s, well past the colonial era, but it's still worth a nod in this category of hotels. Formerly the Traders Hotel, the Shangri-La played a vital role in the city’s business development, with many foreign investors and heads of state checking in after the country opened to foreign investments. Remodeled in 2014, the 479-room hotel pays homage to traditional colonial digs, complete with piano music wafting through the air, enormous white columns, Burmese vases, a dramatic crystal chandelier, and majestic spiral staircases that appear to be straight out of a film set. Whether you’re checking in for the weekend or simply sipping a nightcap at the old-world Gallery Bar, which is adorned with 1800s memorabilia, the location couldn’t be more convenient for travelers—about a five-minute walk from the Sule Pagoda, colonial quarter, China Town, and Bogyoke Market.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Myanmar Guide
With its gorgeous beaches and opulent resorts, it’s easy to understand why everyone loves Maui so much, but many visitors to the island overlook some of the smaller towns in favor of better-known tourist destinations. Next time you’re on Maui, stop by some of these towns and really get to know another side of the island paradise.
If you’re staying in the glorious Wailea area of Maui, known as the “Beverly Hills” of the island due to its concentration of five-star resorts, you might be familiar with Kihei, which is right next door. Kihei is on Maui’s southwest shore, the sunniest and driest part of the island. Six miles of picture-perfect beaches make up the Kihei coastline, which are great for swimming and surfing.
Kihei’s Kalama Beach Park is a local favorite, with 36 oceanfront acres of shady lawns and palm trees. The town is full of affordable accommodations, including cottages and small hotels like the Pineapple Inn. There are lots of small shopping malls and casual restaurants, as well as some of the best nightlife on the island.
At the foot of the dramatic West Maui Mountains is Wailuku, just 10 minutes from the Kahului Airport. Here you’ll find lots of charming mom-and-pop shops and restaurants that have been around for generations. Among the new additions to Wailuku are more contemporary boutiques, chilled-out coffee shops, and stylish cafés that create a pleasant mix of new and old.
For more information, the “Rediscover Wailuku” walking tour highlights a great selection of historical and cultural attractions, including the Bailey House and Kaahumanu Church, as well as the lao Theater.
Located on the slopes of Haleakala Volcano, Makawao is the largest of the little towns in the region known as Upcountry Maui. The area's cowboys, or paniolo, as locals refer to them, have been wrangling cattle in the wide-open upland fields since the late 19th century, and for more than 50 years the Makawao Rodeo has been Hawaii’s largest paniolo competition. Held over Fourth of July weekend, the rodeo includes a parade and traditional competitions (with a few Hawaiian twists).
For a real treat, follow the locals and indulge in a famous cream puff from T. Komoda Store, which was established in 1916 and typically has long lines in the morning. Makawao is also a thriving art community, so visitors can roam the streets and watch wood sculptors, glassblowers, and painters working on their craft.
Once a plantation town, Paia is now divided into Lower Paia and Paia, which are both worth exploring. Now that Maui’s sugarcane industry is no longer booming, Paia has transformed into an art town filled with colorful storefronts and galleries in addition to one-of-a-kind boutiques and restaurants.
If you stop in Paia, popping by the Paia Fishmarket for a quick bite is a must. Hookipa Beach is known as the windsurfing capital of the world, so during the winter, visitors can enjoy watching the pros compete. In addition to Hookipa Beach, H.A. Baldwin Beach Park has a baby beach with a lagoon.
Although Hana might be the best-known small town on Maui, it still isn’t overcrowded, mostly due to its isolated location on the eastern tip of Maui. The legendary 52-mile road to Hana is tricky and can take hours, but the views along the way are breathtaking. Once you arrive, you’ll see why Hana is considered one of the last unspoiled Hawaiian frontiers.
The historic Travaasa Hana is a luxurious retreat that’s worth the price due to the privacy, exclusivity, and views. In town, there is a general store, some quirky shops, and street food vendors, but the real attractions here are the beaches. Hana Beach Park or Hamoa Beach are best for swimming and sunbathing, while Waianapanapa State Park is famous for its black sand beach and great for snorkeling. Hale Piilani, the largest Hawaiian temple, is worth a visit, and so is Kanahu Gardens, one of five National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Hawaii.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Maui Guide
With its beautiful scenery, unique vibe, and top-rated restaurants, San Francisco has always been a wonderful city to visit for a long weekend. But with the long-awaited reopening of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art on May 14, following a major three-year renovation and expansion, now’s the perfect time to start planning your next escape to the City by the Bay.
There will be plenty of time to enjoy all the city has to offer, so start out with a relaxing day in the woods. Once you arrive in town, head straight to the Presidio, the former U.S. Army base spanning 1,400 magnificent acres on the city’s northern edge. Tonight you’re staying at the Inn at the Presidio, a handsome Georgian Revival–style building that formerly housed bachelor officers and opened as a hotel in 2012. Check in, drop off your bags, and head out to explore the park.
Your first stop is the Presidio Officers’ Club, a building dating to 1776 that served as an exclusive gathering place for Army brass and their families; since 2014, it’s been a cultural center that serves to educate the public about the Presidio and its historical importance. Take a look at the special and permanent exhibits, then grab a seat on the expansive outdoor patio for lunch at Arguello, a Mexican restaurant helmed by acclaimed San Francisco vet Traci Des Jardins. After a few tacos and perhaps a margarita, it’s time to get walking.
The Presidio has 12 trails for walkers, hikers, and bikers, only two of which are rated difficult, so it’s easy to spend the better part of a day exploring its various districts. From the Presidio Officers’ Club, walk to the end of Graham Street to pick up the Presidio Promenade and head west to Crissy Field Overlook, one of the park’s scenic viewing points where you’ll be able to admire the surrounding greenery, city skyline, and the looming Golden Gate Bridge. Continue until you reach Golden Gate Bridge Pavilion, which offers an up-close view of the iconic structure.
From here, you have several options: you can continue on a bit to the northernmost tip of San Francsico to Fort Point National Historic Site; you can go backwards a bit to pick up the Bay Trail, which will lead you down to the waterfront and Crissy Field, a stretch of restored marshland along the sand of the bay; or, if you’re feeling ambitious, walk past the bridge and head southwest on the 2.7-mile California Coastal Trail. If you take it to the end, you’ll end up at Baker Beach, home to spectacular views and also, when the weather is right, nude beachgoers. If that’s not quite your taste, you can detour off the CCT to tackle the difficult (read: many stairs) Batteries to Bluffs Trail. No matter how you spend the afternoon, catch the free PresidiGo Shuttle back to the hotel for its nightly wine-and-cheese reception.
For dinner, take the shuttle to the Letterman District, then walk a few minutes to the Presidio Social Club. Here you can have cocktails and small plates and then call it an early night. Head back to your handsome accommodations and rest up for a big cultural day ahead.
Wake up early, skip breakfast downstairs, and head downtown to drop off your bags at stylish Hotel G, located one block away from Union Square. From here, it’s a short ride (skip the walk through the Tenderloin) to Mr. Holmes Bakehouse, a bakery with a cult following. The shop opens at 8 am on Saturday; you’ll want to be there as early as possible if you want to try the signature Cruffin, which locals line up for before the shop opens. If you’d rather not deal with the line, you won’t be disappointed with the other baked goods, available via a much shorter line. Get a mix of sweet (doughnuts filled with pineapple cream) and savory (an irresistible croissant baked with smoked salmon, ginger, wasabi, and nori inside) goods, which are packaged in the sharpest bakery box you’ve ever seen.
Take a 10-minute taxi ride to the Yerba Buena Gardens to enjoy your pastries on a bench and soak up a little sun. Afterward, walk across the street to the revamped San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. (Timed admission tickets are available in advance, so book the earliest entrance time available.) Whether or not you’ve visited SFMOMA before, the new museum will dazzle you. As a result of the expansion, the gallery space has increased from 70,000 to 170,000 square feet, and SFMOMA is now the home of the incomparable Donald and Doris Fisher Collection, comprising 1,100 works by 185 artists; simply put, this is one of the greatest collections of postwar and contemporary art in the world. Through a special partnership, SFMOMA will display selections from the Fisher Collection for the next 100 years, alongside works from the permanent collection and special exhibitions. Only a few hundred selections from the collection are currently on view, so there will be much more to see in coming years.
It’s best to start at the top of the museum and work your way down. The expansion, overseen by celebrated architecture firm Snøhetta, features airy, smartly designed galleries that allow in tons of natural light and provide plenty of space for appreciating art, and also taking breaks from it to fend off gallery fatigue. You can and should spend all day here: viewing the Fisher Collection is like taking a 20th-century art history class, and the pieces look great in the new spaces. The top floors of the museum are occupied by the Fisher Collection and works that have been acquired from other collectors in recent years; lower floors house the new Pritzker Center for Photography and works from the permanent collection. Take your time to appreciate the art, take as many breaks as you need, and don’t forget to eat lunch. Cafe 5 serves light California-fusion fare outdoors in the sculpture garden; if you want to splurge, make a reservation for In Situ (opening in June), a new restaurant from three-Michelin-starred chef Corey Lee, whose menu will feature reinterpreted versions of dishes from famous chefs around the world.
The museum closes at 5 pm, at which point you might need a breather. Head back to Hotel G, get settled in your room and take a rest, then go downstairs for evening drinks and oysters at Benjamin Cooper, where the bartenders cater to cocktail geeks with all sorts of innovative creations. The space is tiny, so don’t show up much later than 6 if you want a seat. For dinner, head to one of San Francisco’s dining institutions, Nopalito, for creative yet authentic Mexican dishes. Reservations aren’t accepted, so call before you arrive to get your name on the list. Be sure to order the pork carnitas, undoubtedly one of the best dishes in the entire city.
Back at the hotel, take note of the art on display in public areas and in your room. All of the work displayed is shown through a partnership with Creativity Explored, a local organization where artists with disabilities create and sell their work. If you see anything you like at Hotel G, you’re welcome to buy it.
Sleep in if you want—the Italian bed linens at Hotel G encourage it—but make sure you give yourself time to enjoy the city before you have to leave. Ideally, the weather will be sunny and in the 70s, which means you’re going to spend the day outside like any good San Franciscan. Pack your bags, leave them at the front desk, then head to the Mission District. Once again, wait in line for more outstanding pastries, this time at Tartine Bakery, where it would be a mistake not to order the ham and cheese croissant.
Grab your goods and take them over two blocks to Dolores Park, one of the city’s liveliest playgrounds that looks better than ever following a major renovation in 2015. (It would be useful to have a blanket or something else to sit on, but you can just sit on the grass or benches.) Hippies, families, hipsters, dogs, and all walks of life congregate here on weekends to drink beer, listen to music, and soak up the city’s laid-back vibe. The park occupies two square blocks, but the best views of the city and Bay Bridge can be enjoyed from the top half of the park, along 20th Street.
Leave the park in time to enjoy one last San Francisco treat before you head to the airport. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, stop for a scoop or two at Bi-Rite Creamery; there are two lines, a longer one for standard ice cream, and a shorter one for soft serve, so pick whichever one your heart desires. If you’re craving something salty and filling, it’s the perfect time for a Mission-style burrito. Walk over to Taqueria Cancun (2288 Mission Street; 415/252–9560) and prepare yourself for a massive super burrito, which is great to share with another person unless you’re absolutely starving. There are a variety of fillings to choose from, but al pastor (sliced pork marinated in spices) is impossible to beat. With your belly full, go collect your bags at the hotel, then say goodbye to this wonderful city on your ride to the airport.
The aforementioned Inn at the Presidio is ideal if you like peace and quiet, while Hotel G is better for a central location and an artsy vibe. Other recommended options include Hotel Drisco in Pacific Heights, The Parker Guest House in the Mission, and Cow Hollow’s Union Street Inn.
You can comfortably visit San Francisco year-round, but September and October tend to be warmest. Summer in the city is known for being a bit chilly, while winter brings rain, particularly in December and January. Still, the temperature rarely dips below 40 degrees or above 80 degrees, so the weather is never too extreme. Just be prepared to dress in layers as temperatures can fluctuate greatly at different times of day and in different parts of the city
Cape Town is a visually stunning city, with the Table Mountain towering over the center and powdery beaches stretching into the distance. Between the mountain and the sea is a sophisticated city with world-class restaurants, nearby vineyards, funky neighborhood enclaves, and the proud Xhosa townships.
Nearly all visitors to South Africa, whether they come for the safaris, wine country, culture, or beaches, will have a short brush with "the Mother City." Here's your primer on making the most of a brief visit, with personally vetted picks for the perfect way to stay and play with just 48 hours in Cape Town.
After the long journey, treat yourself to a stay at the 329-room Table Bay Hotel (rates from $399/night). Perched on the vibrant V&A (Victoria & Alfred) Waterfront, with views looking out onto the ocean, harbor, and/or the city's iconic Table Mountain, this polished neo-Victorian hotel was opened back in 1997 by then-President Nelson Mandela. Fuel up for a jam-packed day at The Atlantic here, serving an extensive buffet spread (240-plus items!) with a juice bar, and outdoor harborfront seating.
Set out to uncover some of South Africa's unique and multicultural history with a tour of Langa township, home to a local Xhosa tribal community. Sign up with Vamos's half-day, small-group outings for an insightful tour, where native Xhosa guides navigate the ins and outs of township life, with stops at a cultural center, church, residence, and a "shebeen," a men's-only bar of sorts, where townswomen dole out local brews. The tour company offers convenient door-to-door service, so circle back around to be dropped off at the Table Bay/waterfront area ahead of your afternoon outing.
Given the time limit and Cape Town's public transportation options, we recommend a city-circuit hop-on/hop-off bus. The double-decker buses run by City Sightseeing are a solid bet. They run every 20 minutes from V&A Waterfront to the city's premier attraction: Table Mountain.
Reach the summit of the flat-topped mountain Table Mountain by cableway and take in the sweeping panoramas over Cape Town and its mountains-meets-ocean landscape. The protected wilderness here is perfect for hiking.
Down below, hop back on the red bus to finish the loop to the V&A Waterfront—en route you'll pass some of the city's scenic beachfront communities, like Camps Bay and Clifton. Back where you started, take a short stroll around the buzzing waterfront, with dozens of restaurants, bars, and shops (try The Watershed for wares from local artists and designers), and attractions like the well-presented Two Oceans Aquarium. The most tempting diversion here is perhaps the sunset catamaran cruise with Waterfront Charters: a scenic 1½-hour sail into the harbor, with complimentary drinks and a good chance of spotting seals and dolphins.
Back on shore, hop in a cab to the revitalized, semi-industrial Woodstock , where the Old Biscuit Mill shopping-and-dining complex is housed in a brilliantly reimagined factory. You'll need to reserve several months in advance to secure a spot at one of the hottest tables in town, The Pot Luck Club. It's perched atop a converted grain silo with expansive city views and features internationally inspired, shareable small plates (fish tacos, beef fillet in a café au lait truffle sauce), handcrafted cocktails, and South African wines.
On day two head out to the 30-mile-long Cape Peninsula. This rocky peninsula—much of which falls within the protected parkland of Table Mountain National Park—juts out just south of the city center, near the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, at the southernmost reaches of the African continent. Here you'll have to choose between charming coastal towns, white-sand beaches, mountain trails, and attractions as varied as wine-tasting and penguin-spotting.
You'll want to rent a car or hire a driver to get around. Grab a map and head toward the colorful beachfront town and surfer haven of Muizenberg. Kick off your day by fueling up with coffee and fresh-baked pastries at the Olympia Café, in the charming fishing harbor of Kalk Bay, brimming with galleries, bistros, and antique shops.
Continue down the coast to the Victorian-era Simon's Town, an old navy base whose star attraction is Boulders Beach, also part of Table Mountain National Park. Home to an entertaining resident colony of African penguins, you can watch the well-dressed, waddling birds from viewing platforms set up along a protected stretch of breeding-friendly beach.
Follow the peninsula down to its southernmost point (and the southwestern-most point of the African continent) to the 19,000-acre Cape of Good Hope nature reserve, another section of the national park, set on a rocky cape covered with rolling hills, isolated beaches, and if you look closely (and have some luck), wildlife like baboons, ostriches, zebras, and antelope. Stop for lunch at the stunningly situated Two Oceans Restaurant at Cape Point. It can be maddeningly crowded (reservations recommended), but the seafood-centric dishes are solid and the views overlooking the ocean are superb.
Burn off those calories further exploring Cape Point, where you can walk uphill to the old 1860 lighthouse (there's a funicular if you'd rather ride). Don't miss the short 45-minute trail that winds along an Atlantic Ocean-piercing ridge down to the water's edge.
Follow the coast back north to one of its most scenic stretches, the breathtaking Chapman's Peak Drive, a clifftop coastal highway that connects the towns of Noordhoek and Hout Bay. In Hout Bay, take a quick spin by the busy harbor, where working fishing and tourism boats zip in and out, and fish-and-chips-famed eateries beckon.
Time (and energy levels) permitting, consider a slight diversion to sample some of South Africa's famous wines, by dipping in for wine tasting at one of the old estates in the historic Constantia valley. Noted for their 17th-century Cape Dutch homesteads, towering oaks, and sprawling vineyards, we're keen on Groot Constantia, South Africa's oldest wine estate, or the atmospheric Klein Constantia.
For your last evening in Cape Town, stay at the swanky Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa (rates from $349/night), in Camps Bay. Wedged between the eponymous Twelve Apostles mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean, the posh 70-room retreat maximizes its natural setting with plenty of floor-to-ceiling windows, guestrooms that open onto patios and balconies, and dining-and-wining venues that boast ample outdoor seating. The pleasantly landscaped grounds include two pools, an herb garden (pickings for the restaurant chef), and a standout grotto-style spa that offers treatment areas in two open-air gazebos.
Try to make it for "sundowners" on the ocean-facing balcony of the hotel's famed Leopard Bar, where the sunset dipping below the Atlantic is daily spectacle. Cap off the day at the hotel's classy, nautically themed Azure restaurant, pairing stunning sea views with a solid menu of international and South African cuisine, including a tempting trio of prix-fixe tasting menus (anchored on meat, seafood, and vegetarian themes). Situated just 20 minutes outside of the bustling city center, a stay at Twelve Apostles is a fitting grand finale for a whirlwind tour.
