Things to Do in Crete

Kampa Park is on the west bank of the Vltava River in Prague. The park is famous for three giant baby sculptures designed by controversial artist David Cerny. Cerny purposely made his art with the intention to provoke people, and you can find his art throughout the city. He also made 10 other baby sculptures which can be seen crawling up the Zizkov TV Tower. The ones on the TV tower are made of fiberglass, but the ones in the park are bronze. The babies don't have normal faces. Instead they have alien-looking heads with long rectangular slots where the face should be. 

The sculptures in the park were supposed to be part of a temporary exhibit, but they were so popular that they are now a permanent part of the scenery. They are located near the entrance to the Kampa Museum, which is the Museum of Modern Art from Central Europe.

Most people know Kaitoke Regional Park as Rivendell, the Elven city where the Fellowship forms in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings. But it’s more than that: Kaitoke Regional Park, just outside of Wellington, is an ancient rain forest full of old native trees and winding rivers, and a tranquil place to escape the city for a day or more.

Kaitoke Regional Park is a common stop on most Lord of the Rings tours. While the city of Rivendell may not be fully preserved, the filming spot—one of the park’s many peaceful, picturesque places—is marked out in all its natural beauty. Explore the near-7,000-acre (2,833-hectare) park’s many bush walks and see all sorts of native trees and animals, including a thicket of rare matai and totara trees. Check out the park’s swing bridge, spanning the width of the Hutt River, on the easy-going Swing Bridge Track. More experienced hikers can tackle the Ridge Track, which runs along the skyline of the Upper Hutt valley.

Kaitoke makes for a great day trip and is also open for camping. You don’t need to book to use the campsite—just drive in and pay the fees at the information kiosk. Once settled down, go swim in the nearby Pakuratahi River or enjoy a campfire on the banks of the Hutt River.

 

Fewer than 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Wellington, Kaitoke Regional Park is best accessed by car, as public transport doesn’t run directly from the city. It’s an easy drive—from the Wellington Urban Motorway, keep right and follow Hutt Road (State Highway 2) until you reach Twin Lakes Road, where you can start the Ridge Track or the Kaitoke Hill Track; or until Waterworks Road, where you can park at the campground and hike from there.

 

Kaitoke is most popular during the Christmas and New Year season, when the sun is high and people on holiday descend on the campground. If you want to get away from the city for a few days, it’s best to visit in early December or late January. Otherwise, the park is lovely—and free—to explore at any time. 

The Kaitoke campground has all the basics—drinking water, sinks, toilets, power sockets, and trash collection. The site also has a covered barbecue shelter that’s free to use or bookable for a minimal fee. Note that open fires are allowed only on the riverbeds, not at the campground.

The highest mountain in Slovenia is Triglav, ascending to 2,864 meters (9,400 feet) in the Julian Alps and forming part of the country’s one and only national park. An alpine region of spectacular natural beauty, Triglav National Park is a landscape of river gorges, waterfalls, lakes, plateaus and cave systems carved out of the limestone bedrock as well as a paradise for fly fishing, hiking, cycling, trekking, skiing and climbing. 

The rivers Soča and Sava rise in the Julian Alps and feed the pristine, emerald waters of lakes Bohinj and Bled. The former is Slovenia’s largest lake, swelled by glacier melt and spring waters that race through tumbling gorges on their way down to Lake Bled. Ribcev Laz is Bohinj’s laidback base for cyclists and hikers in the mountains, where rare ibex and golden eagles can occasionally be spotted.

Lake Bled is the summer playground of the Julian Alps, a center for sailing, fishing, kayaking and swimming based around the red roofs of Bled, the photogenic spa town squeezed between the snow-clad peaks and the lake. It is watched over by a ninth-century castle perched atop a rocky crag, while back down on the lake, traditional wooden pletna boats ply to and from the craggy islet home of the Baroque Church of the Assumption. Pretty as a picture, it is one of Slovenia’s most romantic wedding venues.

Winter sees a thick mantle of snow carpet the Julian Alps, when a dozen purpose-built resorts fill up with skiers. Foremost among these are Kranjska Gora, Kobla and Vogel, which all offer over 20 km (12.5 miles) of prepared piste for downhill and cross-country skiers as well as a modern, efficient network of lifts.

Two hours west of Busan near Changwon City lies 705 acres (285 hectares) of natural habitat known as Junam Wetlands Park. Bird watchers from around the globe visit the park, Korea’s largest migratory bird habitat, to witness the spectacle of anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 winter birds – white-naped crane, spoonbill, swans, geese and mallards among them – who fly into the park daily. In the summer some 5,000 migratory egrets, herons, orioles and warblers join the park’s permanent residents, including ducks, pheasants and skylarks.

Much of the park is accessible via a series of elevated wooden boardwalks with pullouts for scenic views and bird blinds where you can observe the birds more easily without startling them. While October to April is prime birdwatching season, there’s something to see no matter the season.

Chances are, if you’re visiting Dubai, you’ll want to spend some time at the beach. While many of the big resorts limit beach access to guests only, the city has a handful of public beaches, and Jumeirah Beach Park is by far the best of them.

Jumeirah Beach Park opened in 1989 as the first beach park in Dubai. Today, the 30-acre (12-hectare) beachfront green space features volleyball courts, showers, playgrounds, picnic tables, food kiosks, barbecue areas and lifeguards monitoring the sandy stretch of beach. The facilities are the best you’ll find on pretty much any public beach.

The Grand Bazaar isn't the only market you'll want to visit in Istanbul. Kadikoy Market, also referred to as Kallavi Kadikoy, is a large street market that is located on the Asia side of Istanbul. Though many visitors to Istanbul stick to the famous site-heavy European side of Istanbul (where the Grand Bazaar is), foodies and shoppers should definitely also make the short trek across the Bosphorus Strait to check out Kadikoy Market.

Kadikoy Market has everything from fruits to pizza and ceramics to linens. It only operates on Tuesday and Fridays and on those days you'll find thousands of stalls selling a variety of wares and cuisine. Great deals are for the taking and haggling over price is perfectly acceptable.

Visitors often enjoy having a meal at Kadikoy Market as there are many cafes and stands selling to-go food and hot meals mixed in among the produce and fish you can purchase, but will have to cook on your own. Keep an eye out for Lahmacun, or Turkish pizza as it's sometimes called, to try in between your haggling bouts.

Ranked among the world’s largest bird sanctuaries, the Jurong Bird Park is home to an astounding 5,000 birds representing 400 avian species. Each habitat is designed to mirror a naturalistic environment. Walk through the Waterfall Aviary—the world’s largest walk-in aviary—or meet colorful Australian lories in the 9-story Lory Loft. You can observe toucans and parrots from the South American tropics inside Jungle Jewels; watch penguins glide through the water at Penguin Coast; or see the world’s most comprehensive collection of pelican species at Pelican Cove. Guests can witness birds’ behaviors during a live show, and kids can cool off at the Birdz of Play splash zone. 

Spread across 50 acres (20 hectares), there’s a lot to see inside Jurong Bird Park. The in-park tram is a popular way for visitors to see the highlight attractions. For a hassle-free experience, opt for a private guided Jurong Bird Park tour that includes hotel pickup and drop-off. Those who prefer to visit the park independently, can stop here via the Singapore Flyer hop-on hop-off bus. Admission is also included on the Singapore City Pass, along with other attractions like the Singapore Zoo, Universal Studios Singapore, and S.E.A. Aquarium at Marine Life Park.

While Jurong Bird Park is situated about 30 minutes outside of the city, it’s well served by public transportation. The easiest way to get there is by riding the green line to Boon Lay MRT station and then taking Bus 194 to the entrance. 

The bird park is open daily from 8:30am to 6pm. Since Singapore’s climate can be hot and humid, it’s best to visit in the morning or late afternoon.

Jurong Bird Park is one of four attractions that comprise the Wildlife Reserves Singapore, along with the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, and River Safari. While individual admission tickets are available for each park, those planning to visit more than one can save by purchasing two-park admission, four-park admission, or a ParkHopper pass that includes tram and boat rides at all four parks.

In 1718, Peter the Great, the Russian tsar at the time, ordered a palace to be built in the then-newly designed Kadriorg Park. The palace, designed by Italian architect Niccolo Michetti, was originally built to be the summer home for Peter I, Catherine I and their family. The baroque palace is surrounded by manicured gardens, houses a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia called the Kadriorg Art Museum and today serves as the presidential palace. The museum has hundreds of 16th- to 20th-century paintings by Western and Russian artists on display.

Several interesting side buildings surround the palace, including a restored kitchen building that is now the Mikkel Museum. Peter the Great's cottage is also on the property and is now a museum where visitors can see some of his belongings and what the rooms might have looked like at the time. The palace governor’s house is now home to the Kastellaanimaja Gallery and the Eduard Vilde House Museum.

Deemed the best dinosaur museum in the world by many, Jurassic Land is not only a place to enjoy dinosaurs but also to learn about them in a whole new way. Dinosaur bones were uncovered during the construction of the shopping mall inside which Jurassic Land is located; the rest is history. These magnificent and extinct beasts come alive at Jurassic Land thanks to the life-size, moving models of over 70 dinosaurs linked to each other through a witty and clever scenario. Various exhibitions tell the story of dinosaurs, their features, their abilities and their daily life, as well as their sudden and tragic disappearance through interactive displays and 65-million-year-old skeletons. Jurassic Land also boasts a massive six-dimension cinema with special effects that takes guests on extreme air, underwater and land journeys, a special cave where kids can dig for bones and be rewarded with a “Explorer Paleontologist” certificate, a gift shop, and a relaxing garden. Dinosaur bones were uncovered during the construction of the shopping mall inside which Jurassic Land is located; the rest is history.

Sitting in the foothills of the rugged Carpathian Mountains southwest of Krakow, the town of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska grew up to accommodate pilgrims who flocked to the red-roofed and copper-domed complex of religious buildings that still dominates life there to this day. Built in the 17th century, the ornate Baroque Sanctuary of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska provided Catholics with a substitute Chapel of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, which at that time was under Turkish rule and firmly off limits to Christians; it incorporates the Franciscan Bernardini Monastery alongside 42 chapels and churches all beautifully sited on pathways among woodland and symbolizing the Stations of the Cross at Calvary. 

In Polish religious life, only the Shrine to the Black Madonna at Częstochowa is more important than Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, which is UNESCO World Heritage listed for its sheer, breathtaking Baroque beauty, all created by Italian architect Giovanni Maria Bernardoni and his Flemish counterpart Paolo Baudarth. The fanciful, twin-spired main basilica is dedicated to Our Lady and its Chapel of Holy Mary of Calvary holds a highly revered icon of Mary and Jesus; the faithful gather there in thousands to see passion plays on Good Friday and celebrate on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption. Pope John-Paul II was born 15 km (9.25 miles) away in Wadowice and made several visits to the shrine when he returned to his homeland; his statue stands near the entrance to the basilica.

The town around the sanctuary has been known for the skill of its woodworkers since the mid 18th century; today more than 1,500 artisan cabinetmakers work among a population of 4,500 in total.

Kandal Market, or Phsar Kandal in Khmer, is the “market in the middle,” or “central market” (not to be confused with the other, major Central Market in Phnom Penh). Though Kandal Market does sell goods such as clothes, shoes, bags and jewelry, it’s primarily known as the food market for locals.

There’s no better way to get a real sense of place than by visiting a local market; take a trip to Kandal and immerse yourself in the colors, textures, smells and tastes of Cambodia. From fresh veggies stacked high to jewel-like displays of local fruits (many of which are unrecognizable to westerners) to the large selection of fresh seafood, fish and meat—some of which is still moving—the market can be almost overwhelming to the senses. Fight the slightly claustrophobic feeling and slowly wander the stalls. The men and women who wait patiently for customers will often let you sample fruits and veggies; taste something that looks unfamiliar. You may be rewarded by the sweet flesh of the lychee, but it’s advisable to avoid the big, green spiny fruits—both jackfruit and durian have a smell that’s hard for visitors to stomach. 

Kadriorg Park is a 173-acre area that was built in 1718 under the orders of Russian tsar Peter I, with additional sections having been designed and created over the past few centuries. Within the park you will find Kadriorg Palace, which was originally built as a summer home for the tsar and his family and now serves as the presidential palace and a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia. While the palace was being built, Peter I, also known as Peter the Great, lived in a cottage on the property, which is now a museum. The rooms are furnished with items from that era, and some of his personal belongings are on display as well. 

The area near the flower beds surrounding Swan Pond, as well as the promenade leading from the pond to the palace, are popular routes for a stroll through the park. There is also a newly added Japanese garden designed with plants that were chosen to fit with Estonia's colder climate.

Within the park, there are also a number of museums, including KUMU (the Estonian Art Museum), Kadriorg Art Museum, the Mikkel Museum and the Eduard Vilde Museum. You will find several monuments as well, each dedicated to cultural figures such as sculptor Amandus Adamson, author F. R. Kreutzwald and artist Jaan Koort.

The Jungfrau, a sky-high saddle in the Swiss Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers jaw-dropping views of the Bernese Oberland’s massive glaciers and snowy peaks. Travel by narrow cog railway to Jungfraujoch and stand on “the Top of Europe” as you gaze out at the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in Europe, and far, far beyond.

 

Visiting Switzerland’s Jungfrau region is a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. The journey up the steep Alpine slopes—via a narrow cog railway—is simply exhilarating. Buy a ticket in advance and board the train for a journey that leads you by the foot of the notorious Eiger North Wall and through a mountain tunnel before arriving at the 11,330-foot (3,454-meter) Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station and the setting for the Sphinx Observatory, an international weather research facility. Guided day trips from Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Bern include tickets for the cog train and, in some cases, stops at other scenic spots in Bernese Oberland. Jungfrau Travel Pass holders can ride the cog railway for free.

 

The only way to get up to Jungfraujoch is via the cog mountain train. Board the train from Interlaken Ost, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Wilderswil, Wengen, or Kleine Scheidegg. The journey from Interlaken to Jungfrau takes about two hours.

 

Jungfraujoch is open year-round. July and August are the busiest months. Clouds tend to come in later in the day, so arrive early for the best views.

 

For the best view from Jungfraujoch, head to the terrace in the Sphinx Observatory. From here you can see the Great Aletsch Glacier, which at 14 miles (23 kilometers) is the largest glacier in the Alps and the longest in all of Europe. Also on view are a crowd of majestic Alpine peaks and—on a clear day—the borderlands of Germany and France. You can also explore the Ice Palace, where intricately carved ice sculptures are on display, and visit the café and souvenir shop. 

The Basics

While it is most often visited as a photo stop on city tours, non-Muslim travelers are able to enter for an hour-long visit and Q&A session when accompanied by a guide from the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. This program, called 'Open Doors, Open Minds' is a way for non-Muslims to learn about Emirati culture. A visit to the mosque is often included in half-day or full-day sightseeing tours of Dubai, and the mosque is also one of many stops on hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses, in addition to attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al-Arab, Dubai Creek, and the Dubai Mall.

• Photography is allowed inside the mosque, so don't forget to bring your camera.
  
• Visitors are asked to wear modest dress (long pants or skirts and sleeves, with headscarves for women) and to remove their shoes before entering the mosque.
  
• The site's informational 'Open Doors, Open Minds' program includes coffee, dates, and pastries.
  
• Appropriate attire can be provided at the mosque if necessary.
  

How to Get to the Jumeirah Mosque

Located on Jumeirah Road, the mosque is accessible by taxi, public transportation, or on an organized tour.

When to Get There

Should you miss out on the daily interior tour (held at 10am six days a week), the mosque is still worth visiting at dusk, when its intricate facade is lit up beautifully.

Jumeirah Mosque Architecture

The mosque is built in the medieval Fatimid tradition, developed in the Middle East during the Fatimid Caliphate. The mosque was built in 1976, and its adherence to the Fatimid style is considered a triumph of modern Islamic architecture.

A Jewish community existed in Vienna from medieval times, centered around Judenplatz where the city’s first synagogue was built. That was burnt down during an uprising in 1420, by which time the Jews controlled much of the city’s wealth. A second Jewish enclave grew up in Leopoldstadt in the 15th century and flourished until the 1930s; there were synagogues all over the city and the Jews were part of wealthy Viennese society. All that came to an abrupt end in 1938 with the Nazis marching in to the city, and many thousands of Jews fled Austria following the burning of their businesses and houses on Kristallnacht, November 9, 1938. 

Altogether 65,000 Viennese Jews died during World War II and the city’s Holocaust Memorial stands in Judenplatz, a controversial and austere white marble box that contrasts sharply with the ornate Baroque architecture that surrounds it. Designed in 2000 by British artist Rachel Whiteread, it is made of concrete and steel and recounts the names of the concentrations camps where Austrian Jews were murdered. The Museum Judenplatz is found alongside the memorial and provides a virtual tour through 900 years of Jewish history in Vienna. Coming full circle historically, it is built over the site of the synagogue that was destroyed back in 1420; its excavations form part of the exhibition. 

One of the busiest shopping streets in Amsterdam, Kalverstraat is known for its many boutiques and shops — over 160 to be exact. The pedestrian street is lined with various retailers today, but retains its name from the cattle market that had been held here since the 14th century. There’s a mix of local small stores and larger international brands, and at a variety of price points. Though with high-end options, this has become the most expensive street in the Netherlands. It’s at the heart of Amsterdam life, with many restaurants, clubs, museums, and of course, shops.

Fashion and clothing are the main shopping draws on Kalverstraat, but you’ll also find specialty stores with food, art, and souvenirs. It’s a great place to simply stroll and take in the surroundings. Local cafes and restaurants can be found throughout when you need a place to relax. A walk on the famous street is a must for any walking tour of the city.

Located in a wealthy neighborhood in western Mumbai, Juhu Beach is a popular seven-kilometer stretch of sand surrounded by the Arabian Sea. One of the most famous beaches in India, Juhu is often used as the location for film shoots, and it’s not uncommon to find Bollywood stars jogging along its sands during the daytime.

It’s usually in the afternoons and evenings when Juhu Beach truly comes alive, when locals gather for street food, tourists come for the sunsets, and families make the most of the children's rides and amusements. While luxury hotels and restaurants can be found at its southern end, Juhu Beach is most famous for the wide range of local street food stalls set up along its shores. Here you can sample local favorites such as pani puri, bhel puri, and pav bhaji.

Visit Juhu Beach on a regular Mumbai city tour, or as part of a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour, giving you the chance to take in the city’s key sights and attractions. To experience Juhu Beach after the sun goes down, opt for a private Mumbai by night tour, which includes dinner.

Insider’s Tip: The most pleasant time to visit Juhu Beach is usually between October and February. Having said that, India’s monsoon season between these months does turn the beach into a dramatic landscape, drawing in the crowds to watch nature’s show unfold.

Few destinations offer access to views as stunning as Jvari Monastery. Travelers who make their way to this 6th century Georgian Orthodox monastery will find emerald hills surrounded by turquoise blue waters. This breathtaking natural landscape is the single point where the Argavi and Mitkvari Rivers, as well as the Caspian Sea, meet. But locals say that the location’s ecological significance pales in comparison to its religious significance. According to local folklore, Jvari Monastery is the place where the female evangelist Saint Nino, converted the nation to Christianity. 

Today, travelers can take in the epic scenery and lush landscapes as they climb to the massive cross statue on Mtskheta’s tallest peak. But the interior of this ancient structure is almost as impressive as the landscapes that surround it. Visitors will find what remains of the church and worship area, including the domed altar with tiny, un-paned windows where natural light streams through.