Choose from 812 Fun Things to Do in Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand
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Esplanade Park
Set in downtown Singapore and built in 1943, the historic Esplanade Park is one of the oldest of its kind in the country. The park is home to a great deal of historical landmarks and significant monuments, including the Cenotaph, Tan Kim Seng Fountain, Lim Bo Seng Memorial, Dalhousie Obelisk, Indian National Army Monument, and Queen Elizabeth Walk. The latter covers a significant area and was completed in 1953 in honour of Queen Elizabeth's coronation in the same year.
Trees, shrubs, and other green areas make up a lot of the park, and a great deal of effort has been taken to recreate habitats similar to those found in natural forests and woodlands. During the day, Esplanade Park is ideal for relaxing, or for taking a stroll and reflecting on Singapore's history at the Lim Bo Seng Memorial and the Cenotaph. By night, it's a great place to marvel at the Singapore cityscape and catch the impressive Marina Bay Sands light show.
Practical Info
Esplanade Park can be reached via the NorthSouth Line or the EastWest line on the MRT by alighting at City Hall. Alternatively, visitors can take the Circle line and alight at the Esplanade stop. It is connected to the CBD at one end by Anderson and Cavenagh Bridges.
Address: Connaught Drive, Singapore
From $ 32
Cayman Motor Museum
If you're a car enthusiast, don't miss the chance to peruse the collection at the Cayman Motor Museum in West Bay. Built by Norwegian businessman Andreas Ugland, the museum is an incredible collection of about 80 rare and classic cars and motorcycles.
Some of the most notable vehicles on display include the Batmobile created for the 1960s TV series, and classics like the 1955 Ford Thunderbird and the 1939 Mercedes 230s, all meticulously restored. The Cayman Island are intimately tied with the United Kingdom, and so the Daimler DK400 that served as Queen Elizabeth II's first limousine gets special placement in the museum, while fans of luxury cars can fawn over a dozen classic Ferraris and a Rolls Royce once owned by Elton John.
The museum also exhibits artifacts, artwork and photos that offer a look at the Cayman Islands' cultural history.
Practical Info
The Cayman Motor Museum is located in the West Bay area, near the Cayman Turtle Farm, about 20 minutes' drive from George Town. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday, and also the month of September. Admission is $15 for adults and $7.50 for kids under 12.
Address: 864 North West Point Road, West Bay, Cayman Islands
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-3pm
Admission: $15 Adults, $7.50 Children under 12
From $ 35
Fort Douaumont
Built in the late 19th-century in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War, the hilltop Fort Douaumont was Verdun's largest and highest fortress, looming 388-meters above the notorious Verdun battlefield. The heavily armed fortress was designed to be the most strategically important of Verdun's mighty defenses, but instead it earned its notoriety during the bloody Battle of Verdun in 1916, when a shocking 300,000 soldiers were killed, and a further 400,000 were wounded. Suffering large destruction and manned by only a small garrison, Fort Douaumont quickly fell into German hands and became a key battle site throughout the 300-day standoff.
Today, the once mighty fort lies in ruins, but visitors can still tour the bunkers, barracks and command posts, designed to accommodate up to 600 soldiers; view the machine gun turrets and take in the views from the fort's high vantage point. A memorial and graveyard is also located on-site, erected in honour of the 679 German soldiers killed when an accidental cooking fire triggered a massive explosion and firestorm in the fort "“ another tragedy resulting in heavy casualties.
Practical Info
Fort Douaumont is located around 10km northeast of Verdun, and is open from February to November, daily from 10am-6pm. Adult admission at the time of writing is €4.
Address: Douaumont 55100, France
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm Feb-Nov
Admission: €4
From $ 284
El Ceibal
Strategically located above the Pasión River, a once important trade route to the Gulf of Mexico, El Ceibal (also written "Seibal") is one of the best preserved of Peten's Mayan cities.
Archaeologists are in awe of elegant ceremonial construction dated to 900BC, among the earliest known monumental architecture in the Mayan world. Most visitors, however, will remember El Ceibal for its remarkably detailed stelae and sculptures, many carved after 800 AD, when the rest of the Mayan Empire was already in a state of collapse. Rendered in unusually hard stone, these detailed portraits and glyphs were influenced by foreign civilizations, and are unusually beautiful. This is why El Ceibal is sometimes called the "Mayan Art Gallery."
The city was built on several elevated terraces overlooking the river, and is relatively small, covering about one square kilometer (2.5 acres). Plan to spend two or three hours exploring.
Archaeologists are in awe of elegant ceremonial construction dated to 900BC, among the earliest known monumental architecture in the Mayan world. Most visitors, however, will remember El Ceibal for its remarkably detailed stelae and sculptures, many carved after 800 AD, when the rest of the Mayan Empire was already in a state of collapse. Rendered in unusually hard stone, these detailed portraits and glyphs were influenced by foreign civilizations, and are unusually beautiful. This is why El Ceibal is sometimes called the "Mayan Art Gallery."
The city was built on several elevated terraces overlooking the river, and is relatively small, covering about one square kilometer (2.5 acres). Plan to spend two or three hours exploring.
Practical Info
El Ceibal is located close to the small town of Sayaxche, about 62km (38 miles) from Flores, a 1.5-hour trip. There are two rustic ecolodges (and some very basic hotels) in the working port on the Río Pasión, making this a good base for visits El Ceibal and other nearby archaeological sites. Day trips are also easily arranged from Flores.
From Sayaxche, you can make the 17km (11-mile) trip to the ruins by public bus, though you may need to catch a pickup truck for the last few kilometers. Consider spending a few extra dollars to make the trip by boat, a lovely 45-minute trip up La Pasión River. There are no restaurants, shops, or hotels, so pack water and snacks.
From Sayaxche, you can make the 17km (11-mile) trip to the ruins by public bus, though you may need to catch a pickup truck for the last few kilometers. Consider spending a few extra dollars to make the trip by boat, a lovely 45-minute trip up La Pasión River. There are no restaurants, shops, or hotels, so pack water and snacks.
Address: El Ceibal, Guatemala
From $ 100
Fort Boyard
Perched off the Atlantic coast of France between the islands of Aix and Oleron, construction began on the austere Fort Bayard under orders from Napoleon in 1801 but stalled eight years later. The fort was finally completed in 1857 and was utilized to guard both the mouth of the River Charente and the arsenal at Rochefort from English attack.
Supported by an artificial island made of tons of rubble, it stands 66 feet (20 meters) high and 223 feet (68 meters) long, with immensely thick stone walls built in an oval shape that once housed a garrison of 250 soldiers, with stores, living quarters and an exercise yard on the ground floor and gun emplacements above. After 187, the range covered by canons fired from dry land increased significantly and the fort became redundant; it was turned into a military prison but soon after fell into disrepair. Finally listed as a building of maritime historical interest in 1950, it has since been maintained by the local council in the Charente-Maritime.
Fort Bayard has been the venue for French TV game Fort Bayard since 1990; the game involves contestants in taking on physical challenges to win money prizes and the rights have been sold across the world.
Practical Info
Fouras, Rochefort. Not open to the public but accessible by organized boat tour between April and September.
Address: Fouras, Rochefort, Charente-Maritime 17450, France
Hours: Not open to the public but accessible by organized boat tour Apr"“Sept
From $ 174
Chateau de Pierrefonds
With its striking white stone façade and attractive jumble of crenellated towers and pointed turrets, the majestic Chateau de Pierrefonds has all the presence of a fairy tale castle, set against the equally enchanting backdrop of the Compiègne forest. Originally built in the 15th-century by Philippe d'Orleans, the castle was torn down by Louis XIII in the 17th century, then rebuilt by celebrated architect Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th-century as an imperial residence for Napoleon III.
In recent years the castle has also made a name for itself as a filming location for several movies and TV shows, most notably Les Visiteurs, The Man in the Iron Mask and hit BBC series Merlin. Visitors can explore the Great Courtyard, the lavish state rooms, the chapel and the keep, as well as following the parapet-walk and walking the drawbridge.
Practical Info
Chateau de Pierrefonds is located in Ile-de-France, around 80km northeast of Paris, and is open May-Aug daily from 9.30am-6pm and Sept-April daily except Mon from 10am-1pm and 2-5.30pm. Adult admission at the time of writing is €7.50.
Address: Rue Viollet le Duc, Pierrefonds, France
Admission: Adults: €7.50
From $ 144
El Castillo Museum (The Castle)
Visitors to Poblado, a wealthy area in the green hills of Medellin, are in for a surprise. Behind heavy iron, Gothic gates and amid trees covered in Spanish moss, there's a 17th-century castle in the style of those in France's Loire Valley.
Built in 1930, it was later bought by Diego Echavarria and his wife. This wealthy family's passion for art and culture is obvious in their home, where French and Spanish artwork lines the walls. But the story behind the castle is even more interesting than the building itself. On free tours you will learn about the family's history, including the death of their daughter and the kidnapping and death of Echavarria himself shortly after.
After these tragic events, the house and possessions were donated to the city of Medellin, and the castle was opened to the public as a museum in 1971. Everything has been preserved just as the family left it, and tours include glimpses of the bedrooms, the dining area with a 10-seat dining table and porcelain dishes, the library with all of the family's books and many other personal items.
Outside, the immense garden has fountains, exotic plants and wildlife, and a view of the city of eternal spring with its mountainous backdrop. The museum also serves as a cultural center for dance, music, crafts and arts.
Practical Info
The castle is open Monday through Friday, 9am to noon and 2 to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm. Admission is about $4 and free tours are available. To get to the castle, take the metro to the Aguacatala station and then catch a bus up the hill to the castle. You can also take a taxi. Photography is not allowed within the castle.
Address: Calle 9S # 32-269, Medellin, Colombia
Admission: $4
From $ 95
Eje Cafetero
Eje Cafetero, also known as the Coffee Triangle, famously produces some of the best coffee in the world. Running through the center of Colombia on the western end of the Andes Mountains, Eje Cafetero comprises the three departments of Caldas, Quindíó and Risaralda, all known for their unique hacienda architecture and friendly locals. The verdant, steep-sloped valleys of the region make it visually stunning as well.
Medellin serves as the gateway to Eje Cafetero, and while Pereira, Armenia and Manizales are the three big capital cities of the region, it's in the small towns and villages, like colorful Salento, scattered throughout where visitors get a true look (and taste) of the distinctive culture. The landscape makes Eje Cafetero popular for outdoor adventure sports, but the real reason to visit is to tour the coffee farms to see firsthand how the beans are grown, processed and transformed into that warm cup of joe. A few coffee haciendas offer guest accommodations, and you can quite literally wake up and smell the coffee.
Practical Info
The three departmental capitals in Eje Cafetero are all accessible via flights from Bogota.
Address: Medellin, Colombia
From $ 269
Chateau-Thierry Monument
The Château-Thierry Monument is a World War I memorial located in Aisne, France. Overlooking the Marne River valley, the monument was built in 1933 and commemorates the achievements of United States forces that fought in the region in 1918, notably for the Second Battle of the Marne during the wider German Spring Offensive. German advances in late May 1918 led the United States forces 3rd Division to assist the French troops in preventing the Germans from crossing the Marne River, holding the south bank until the counteroffensive forced German withdrawal, earning the nickname "Rock of the Marne" in the process.
The monument was designed by famed French-American architect Paul Cret, who also planned several war memorials and battlefield monuments across Europe and in the United States. The monument consists of a double colonnade rising above a long terrace, flanked by sculptured figures representing the United States and a map showing American military operations that took place in the region. The English inscription on the sculptures reads "This monument has been erected by the United States of America to commemorate the services of her troops and those of France who fought in this region during the World War. It stands as a lasting symbol of the friendship and cooperation between the French and American Armies." US servicemen who lost their lives in the ferocious Second Battle of the Marne are interred at nearby Aisne-Marne American Cemetery.
Practical Info
Chateau-Thierry Monument is located on a hill two miles west of Chateau-Thierry in the region of Picardie, 87 kilometers (60 miles) outside of Paris. It is reachable in just over an hour via route A4 and D1003. The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9am to 5pm, except December 25 and January 1. It is open on French bank holidays. There is ample on-site parking. Admission is free for everyone.
Address: Chateau-Thierry Monument, Chateau-Thierry, France
Hours: Open daily to the public from 9am to 5pm, except December 25 and January 1.
From $ 199
Flor de Caña Rum Factory
Latin America is as well known for its rum production as it is for its rum consumption. A tour of the Flor de Cana Rum Factory offers travelers the perfect way to capitalize on both, with an informative guide who offers up details about the production process and a tasting room to sample some of this strong spirit.
Visitors will have the chance to tour the vault, where rum is slow aged, walk through the rum barrel operation area and relax during a video presentation that highlights every aspect of Flor de Cana's unique process. The tour concludes with a chance to sip on the local product, as well as a stop in the gift shop, museum and rum bar (for those who'd like to drink a little more).
Practical Info
Flor de Cana is located in Chichigalpha, just outside the city of Leon. Tours take place daily and last approximately one hour. Most travelers choose to arrange tours with organizations that also provide transport to this popular destination.
Address: El Viejo, Chichigalpa, Chinandega, Nicaragua
From $ 240
Cayman Islands Brewery (Caybrew)
Started back in 2007, Cayman Islands Brewery is the island's best spot for sampling delicious craft beers. Choose from a pint of their flagship, Caybrew, or up the flavor with Ironshore Bock, or chocolaty 345 Stout. While it's possible to simply visit the brewery and sample a casual pint, many visitors choose to partake in the short, but interesting brew tour, where you see the process of beer being brewed, fermented, bottled, and sold. All tours include free samples of their regular and seasonal beers, and the brewery is a favorite stop on the island's distillery and brewery tours. Aside from providing the Caymans with beer, Cayman Islands Brewery is also renowned for their sustainable, philanthropic practices, with beer sold in recyclable bottles and proceeds devoted to conservation.
Insider Tip: If you plan to stay on the island for a while, and need some beers for the house, visit the brewery early in the trip to stock up on discount beers.
Practical Info
Brewery tours are available from Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm, and are offered on the hour. Cayman Islands Brewery is located about 10 minutes from the Georgetown port, and cab fares are approximately $20 for 3 people of $5-$6/person. The drinking age in the Cayman Islands in 18 years old, and all tours include samples of the beer.
Address: 366 Shamrock Road, Georgetown, Cayman Islands
Hours: 9am-4:30pm Monday-Friday
Admission: $10 or brewery tours
From $ 37
Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou in Paris houses the Musee National d'Art Moderne, one of the best collections of modern and contemporary art in the world. With its futuristic industrial design by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, the Centre Pompidou is an icon of 20th-century architecture.
The Basics
Built in 1971, the Centre Pompidou was designed with its insides on the outside, freeing up all interior space for exhibitions. The external plumbing, pipes, vents, and cables make the center look almost Lego-like. Highlights of the Musee National d'Art Moderne include pieces by Picasso, Matisse, Dalí, and Pollock.
Many full-day sightseeing tours of Paris include a visit to the Centre Pompidou. Those with a particular interest in modern art can take a small-group or private tour of the Centre Pompidou to learn about surrealism and current trends in contemporary art from a guide.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Centre Pompidou is a must-see for modern-art aficionados.
- Enjoy skip-the-line entry to the Centre Pompidou with the Paris Museum Pass.
- Venture to the roof for panoramic views of the city and enjoy a cocktail at the rooftop restaurant.
- The museum is wheelchair accessible, and special tours are available for blind or partially sighted visitors.
How to Get There
The Centre Pompidou is centrally located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris and is easily reached by public transportation. The center is within short walking distance of the Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, and Châtelet metro lines and is also accessed by the RER commuter train and several bus lines.
When to Get There
The Centre Pompidou is a popular attraction, so book tickets and tours ahead of time to avoid spending time waiting in line. The Musee National d'Art Moderne is busiest when new exhibitions open, on rainy days, and the first Sunday of each month, when museum admission is free. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Special Events at the Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou prides itself on being both a museum and a hub for cultural events and festivities, with hands-on workshops, film showings, dance performances, and live music events year-round. Check the museum schedule to see what events are happening during your visit. Also, the streets surrounding the center are popular with street performers, jugglers, and mime artists.
Address: Place Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
Admission: Varies
From $ 34
Durban City Hall
Durban City Hall, in addition to being a gorgeous historic building in the city center, is also home to several attractions worth checking out.
Built in 1910, Durban City Hall"”also known as eThekwini City Hall"”is a building that's hard to miss. Its exterior is decorated in a neo-Baroque style "“ there are sculptures representing industry, art, literature, music and commerce as well as some representing patriotism and unity. The building is almost an exact copy of the city hall in Belfast.
The City Hall obviously is home to city government offices, but visitors will want to check out the Durban Art Gallery and Natural Science Museum that are also inside. The museum features a dodo fossil, among others.
Practical Info
The Durban City Hall is located on Pixley Ka Seme Street in the city center. The art gallery and museum are open Monday-Saturday from 8:30am-3:45pm. There's also a public library in the building, which is open Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm and on Saturdays from 9:30am-12pm. Admission to all of the attractions inside the city hall is free.
Address: Pixley Ka Seme Street, Durban, South Africa
Hours: Art gallery/museum Mon-Sat 8:30am-3;45pm; library Mon-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 9:30am-noon
From $ 43
Children's Museum of Bogota (Museo de los Niños)
If you're visiting Bogota with the kids, there are a range of theme parks and attractions to keep them entertained. The Children's Museum of Bogota is a place of discovery and exploration for children of various age groups, with 20 modules designed specifically to encourage learning, curiosity, and play.
This interactive experience covers a range of themes, including science, technology, and culture. There's a room that simulates a city's road to teach children traffic signs and road safety, while another is dedicated solely to the inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci. The museum also hosts regular conferences and workshops.
For a truly fun-filled adventure with the kids, visit the Children's Museum of Bogota as part of a half or full-day tour that includes the Maloka Museum, plus the Salitre Magico and Mundo Aventura theme parks.
Practical Info
The Children's Museum is located in the center of the city, right near Simón Bolívar Park.
Did You Know? In the outer gardens of the museum there's a real Boeing 720 aircraft, which was donated by Avianca (Colombia's largest airline) in the 1980s.
Address: Carrera 60, No. 6327, Bogota, Colombia
Hours: 9:30am-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday
Admission: 10,400 COP
From $ 114
Caño Cristales
Often called the "River of Five Colors" or "Liquid Rainbow," Caño Cristales is one of the world's most beautiful rivers. Set in Serrania de la Macarena National Park, Caño Cristales flows over a riverbed that, several months per year, blooms with vibrant aquatic plants, creating a natural phenomenon that has to be seen to be believed.
The Basics
The only way to explore Caño Cristales and the national park is with a guide, and it's best to book a 3- or 4-day tour from Bogotá, Medellín, or La Macarena Airport. Excursions typically include activities such as a boat cruise along the Guayabero River, hiking the rain forest, swimming in natural pools and waterfalls, and photo stops at locations such as Los Ochos, Karol Cristal pool, and Brazo Pianos.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There are few visitor facilities in the national park but most tours include accommodations, meals, and 4WD transport.
- Swimming is only permitted in designated areas, and swimmers are forbidden to wear sunscreen, mosquito repellent, or other substances that might damage the fragile ecosystems.
- Tours include a fair amount of hiking and are best suited to travelers with a moderate fitness level.
How to Get There
Caño Cristales is located in a remote area of central Colombia, just north of the town of La Macarena. This sight is only accessible with the help of a guide. Charter flights run to La Macarena, and from there, your tour guide can take you into Serrania de la Macarena National Park.
When to Get There
Visit between September and November to see Caño Cristales in full bloom. The most impressive time to visit is after heavy rainfall, when the aquatic plants will be at their most lush and vivid.
The Natural Wonders of Caño Cristales
During much of the year, Caño Cristales looks much like any other river, but during the months between the wet and dry seasons, Caño Cristales blossoms with vibrant colors. This natural occurrence is caused by an eruption of aquatic plant life, which transforms the river into a blanket of brilliant red"”thanks to the macarenia clavigera growing on the riverbed"”offset by dark oranges, and deep greens and yellows, from various other mosses and algae.
Address: Caño Cristales, La Macarena, Colombia
From $ 700
Celestins Theatre (Theâtre des Celestins)
Lyon's Theâtre des Celestins (Theâtre de Lyon) is as famous for its design as it is for its theater program, which showcases contemporary and classical pieces and even cabaret. The most established theater in the city, Celestins was designed by French architect Gaspard Andre and unveiled in 1881 in the neoclassical style inspired by Ancient Greece. Andre also designed other famous Lyon buildings, including Place des Jacobins and the Grand Temple de Lyon.
Named after the Celestine monastery that sat in the spot of the theater from 1407 to 1779, Celestins is in the heart of Old Lyon, just off the right bank of the Saône. The famous theater has two auditoriums inside"”one with space for 750 people and another smaller one with 150 seats. Its facade gets lit up during Lyon's Festival of Lights every December, which attracts millions of visitors.
Listed as a "monument historique" in 1997, Theâtre des Celestins was renovated between 2003 and 2005, and today, the site is accessible for tours that take visitors behind the scenes and even into the costume rooms to learn all about the theater's history.
Practical Info
To the Theâtre des Celestins on 4 rue Charles Dullin, take metro line A or D to Bellecour station. From here, it's a quarter-mile (400-meter) walk north. The theater's in-house bar-restaurant is open one hour before and after performances. Two-hour theater tours cost 10 EUR per adult.
Address: 4 Rue Charles Dullin, Lyon 69002, France
Admission: Tours 10 Euro (adults)
From $ 29
Emperor Valley Zoo
The Emperor Valley Zoo was opened in 1952, just five years after the founding of the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago Inc. Named for the blue Emperor butterflies that once frequented the valley, the Emperor Valley Zoo's exhibits cover more than seven acres, and while the exhibits include exotic animals like lions, ocelots and giraffes, the emphasis is on regional flora and fauna, including local crab-eating raccoons, boa constrictors and birds like the Trinidad motmot. The beautifully cultivated grounds offer winding footpaths through flamingo ponds, hummingbird gardens and African and South American exhibits.
Practical Info
The zoo can be found on the northern edge of Queen's Park Savannah, just west of the Royal Botanic Gardens. The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., every day of the year except Christmas Day, and the Monday and Tuesday of Carnival. Admission costs adults $30, children 12 and under $15.
Address: Adjacent to the Botanical Gardens, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Adults: TT$30, Children 12 and under: TT$15
From $ 40
Durban Playhouse
The Playhouse Company is the centerpiece of Durban's theater scene, and it has been for decades. This historic theater was built in 1926 and originally showed films. In 1935, the theater was given a Tudor-style facelift and turned into a space for performing arts with five different theaters. There are venues for opera, drama, music, and dance.
Tours of the Playhouse Company building are available by appointment, if you can't get tickets to see a production in the theater while you're in Durban. It's worth visiting if for no other reason than to see the Zulu artwork that's on display in the entry hall.
Practical Info
The Playhouse is located in Durban's city center, across from the City Hall. There are productions year-round in many different performing arts disciplines, so check the Playhouse calendar to find out if there's something going on when you're in town.
Address: 29 Acutt St, Durban, South Africa
Hours: Vary
Admission: Varies
From $ 90
De Palm Island
Just off of the western coast of Aruba, De Palm Island attracts visitors from the main island looking for an all-inclusive beach day. In addition to hosting an array of outdoor activities, De Palm Island also offers simple rest and relaxation on its three beaches.
The Basics
De Palm Island's all-inclusive packages make it easy to spend an entire day in the water or lounging on the beach with unlimited food and drinks. Relax under a cabana or grab a snorkel and get a glimpse of the beautiful coral reefs teeming with tropical sea life. Packages cover food and an open bar, snorkeling, ziplining, banana boat rides, air jumpers, the Blue Parrotfish Water Park (kids love the waterslides), salsa lessons, and other daily activities such as beach volleyball and field games. Upgrades from the basic package include other watersports such as SNUBA and the Sea Trek, an underwater helmet walk.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Beach chairs and palapas are available, but you should bring your own beach towel.
- The coral island makes a great snorkeling spot but is tough on snorkelers' feet; bring water shoes.
- The kids' corner offers kids activities, typically on weekends only.
How to Get There
Ferries and catamarans depart regularly for De Palm Island from Port De Palm. Package tours offer round-trip transportation from most Aruba hotels. If exploring Aruba by car, parking at Port de Palm is free, and ferry tickets are available at the terminal. The ferry terminal is just outside downtown Oranjestad, about two miles (3.2 kilometers) past the airport.
When to Get There
To make the most of an all-inclusive, full-day pass, it's best to arrive in the morning. Aruba is busiest from January through April, when it would be wise to book your pass to De Palm Island in advance.
Blue Parrotfish at De Palm Island
Snorkeling trips, right off the beach at De Palm Island, give big payoff, with views of abundant underwater life within the snorkeling area. Of particular interest are the native blue parrotfish, found in most of the Caribbean but particularly in Aruba. This vibrant blue fish makes for excellent underwater photo ops.
Address: Aruba
From $ 101
Butte-aux-Cailles
Walking the quaint cobbled streets of Butte-aux-Cailles, it's easy to forget that you're in Paris. With its rows of petite painted houses, family-run bistros and tiny boutiques, the lively neighborhood maintains the feel of a rural village, despite being just minutes south of the Seine.
The best way to explore Butte-aux-Cailles is on a walking tour, starting along the main streets of Rue des Cinq Diamants and Rue de la Butte aux Cailles, then ducking off to explore the maze of side streets and alleyways. Along the way, pay a visit to the Sainte-Anne de la Butte aux Cailles church, admire the pretty timber-fronted houses along Rue Daviel or take a dip at the famous Piscine de la Butte aux Cailles, fed by natural hot springs.
Most importantly, take the time soak up the ambiance of local life in the quartier "“ stop for a coffee in one of the terrace cafes, browse the small shops for local produce like honey and handicrafts, or buy a bag-full of croissants and pain au chocolats to munch on as you stroll through the Jardin Brassaï park.
Practical Info
The Butte-aux-Cailles neighborhood is located in Paris' 13th arrondissement and the nearest Metro stations are Corvisart and Tolbiac.
Address: Butte aux Cailles, Paris, France
From $ 56