No trip to Puerto Rico is complete without a visit to the majestic El Yunque National Forest. The only tropical rainforest in the United States Forest System, El Yunque is a 28,000-acre abundance of biodiversity ready for you to explore. Situated in the northeast corner of Puerto Rico, El Yunque’s rainforests are located in the Loquillo Mountains, about an hour drive from San Juan. Home to over 240 species of trees (23 of which are unique to El Yunque), 50 species of birds (including the rare and endangered Puerto Rican Parrot), and over 1200 species of insects, El Yunque rainforest was recognized as an official UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1976. Owing to its stunning forests, wealth of fresh water and the variety of species it ...
London is a long-standing magnet for talented artists from around Europe and further afield; and the city's Tate Modern is consistently voted among the continent's top modern art galleries. Innovatively housed in the former Bankside Power Station, located along the River Thames' South Bank district, the Tate Modern provides a cavernous, dynamic space for international modern and contemporary exhibitions. The Tate Modern is ideally placed for anyone staying in the old town district (known as the City of London area) where you'll find St Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye and London Bridge. Just take a stroll across the Millennium Bridge and see some great art. Aside from the art, the best draw of all to the Tate Modern is the free admission (apart from some ...
Cruising down the Li River in the Guilin area of China is one of the most memorable ways to experience the natural Chinese landscape. Imagine floating down a peaceful river, ice-cold drink in your hand; while around you, rising up on the banks of the jade-green river, countless karst peaks tower into the sky—majestic renderings of a classical Chinese landscape. Bamboo rafts fitted with chairs and steered by oarsman cruise down the many tributaries of the Li River. Skillfully plying a long bamboo pole through both deep and shallow waters, you are able to relax, forget your worries, and enjoy the misty jade and emerald-hued Guilin landscape. The surrounding karst mountains are curiously eroded and worn into fantastic shapes; their ancient limestone peaks carved with ...
The city of Edinburgh features beautiful parks and gardens, remarkable buildings, and the marvellous Edinburgh Castle. It may seem surprising, but this charming city has a grisly past that sets a spine-chilling stage for the notorious Edinburgh ghost tours. Edinburgh has been called one of the most haunted cities in Europe, and there are several companies ready to prove its reputation. Mercat tours, Auld Reekie tours, and Black Hart Entertainment are some of the most popular Edinburgh ghost tour companies; and each of these companies offer a variety of tours to suit your individual ghost-hunting needs. Some Edinburgh ghost tours take place during the day and are aimed at younger children. Other ghost tours take place late at night in order to make use of ...
Whale watching in Kaikoura, New Zealand is truly something special for those fortunate enough to experience it. Kaikoura whale watching is unlike any other whale watching mecca (whether it be Alaska, Baja or Antarctica), and should be celebrated as these huge marine mammals were once hunted near extinction here. Now, instead of hunting the whales, the town thrives on the eco-tourism industry of whale watching. Nestled between a range of the Southern Alps and the vast Pacific Ocean, about 180 km up the road from Christchurch, Kaikoura is now a welcome host to thousands of sperm whales. Cruises, flights and helicopter rides offer amazing Kaikoura whale watching experiences unlike any other, including lots of up-close encounters of these gentle giants, some of which can grow ...
The Gili Islands is a cluster of three small islands off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia; which plainly put—is a hedonistic diving paradise. The name Gili Islands is a somewhat redundant name as "Gili" means "small island." But between Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air, the aura here is anything but small, drawing beach bums and backpackers alike to its popular parties and reggae-induced relaxation. No matter which island you stay at, Gili diving is phenomenal. Scuba enthusiasts swoon over Gili diving for its impressive array of vibrant reef life, excellent visibility, and mobs of hawksbill turtles! The appeal doesn't stop at unforgettable diving; the Gili Islands offer a slower change of pace for those on tour through the Bali and Lombok area. ...
Tucked away above a small resort town amid beautiful alpine scenery, the Banff Upper Hot Springs is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the incredible mountain views of Banff National Park. Discovered in 1884 by settlers, the streams that formed the Banff Upper Hot Springs were once considered to have sacred healing powers by Natives in the area. These naturally-heated mineral-rich waters come from deep within the appropriately named Sulphur Mountain, and are enjoyed by visitors from all over the world. Today, the ancient waters of the Banff Upper Hot Springs are fed into a large modern pool which overlooks the Rocky Mountains behind the historic bath house building. Buy your entry ticket for less than C$10, and head to the spacious change rooms ...
Disembarking in Luang Prabang, Laos after a two-day boat journey from Thailand, the last thing I wanted to do was see any more water. But within moments of entering this charming and beautiful French-inspired city sitting mysteriously in the middle of the Laotian jungle, we were approached by several tuk-tuk drivers repeating, "Kuang Si? You want to go to waterfall?" I'd seen my fair share of waterfalls already and was somewhat reluctant to leave this beautiful place to see yet another cascade of water. But as the night wore on, the hum of the words "Kuang Si" seemed to linger on the mouths of every tourist I met; and so, it seemed, I had to go. Bright and early we awoke and climbed into the ...
For many Americans and visitors alike, hitting the open road across the United States is a dream idea for a holiday. And what better way to experience this voyage than to drive down historic Route 66, dubbed the Main Street of America or The Mother Road as it was once the United States' main highway. Home of neon signs, decaying truck stops in the middle of nowhere, and all kinds of kitschy cafes, motels and gas stations—historic Route 66 is the ultimate place to experience the best in Americana. Some 2,448 miles long, Route 66 stretches all the way from Chicago in the east to the edge of the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, California in the west. Hitting eight states in all, the road ...
In the story of life, there is nothing as riveting as the great migration of the 1.5 million wildebeest as they cross the sprawling plains of the Serengeti. As the great migration heads north through Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, and ultimately east into Kenya's Masai Mara in search of greener pastures, the journey is not made without sacrifice. The Wildebeest are so in tune with the seasons and their dependency on water, that they will travel up to 30 miles away for thunderstorms they hear. Hunted continuously over the eight-month pilgrimage, the best time to view the dramatic climax of the great wildebeest migration is between June through August as they cross the final challenge in their trek: the Grumeti River. Some wildebeest cross the ...
