Things to Do in St John's

Situated in the northwest of Hong Kong Island, the exotic and eclectic neighbourhood of Sheung Wan is an atmospheric place to spend a few hours. An interesting mix of traditional Chinese businesses and more modern shopping experiences, Sheung Wan is a busy (and at times chaotic) working-class district.

The historic Western Market sits within an Edwardian-style mall and is home to an array of handicraft outlets. To the east of here, antiques and curio shops huddle around Cat Street, while designer outlets and trendy restaurants line up along Gough Street.

There are plenty of dried fish shops along Wing Lok Street and Bonham Strand West, where you can buy seafood and other foodstuffs alongside the locals purchasing their weekly groceries. There are also a number of traditional Chinese medicine and herbs shops, particularly along Koh Shing Street.

Considered one of the best urban hikes in Asia, Dragon’s Back runs along a ridge, resembling its namesake, in Shek O Country Park. It’s a great way to escape Hong Kong’s concrete jungle and see stunning views of Shek O beach, Tai Long Wan (or Big Wave Bay), Tai Tam Bay, Stanley Peninsula, and the South China Sea.

 

Dragon’s Back is one of the most popular hikes in Hong Kong, with a difficulty level ranging from easy to moderately challenging. At 5 miles (8 kilometers) long, it forms the eighth and final stage of the Hong Kong Trail.

 

With straightforward access and a well-marked trail, Dragon’s Back is easy to navigate independently. Those who prefer to hike with company and who wish learn more about the trail and hiking in Hong Kong can go on a guided hike.

 

Take the Island line MTR to Shau Kei Wan Station. Take Exit A to Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus and bus no. 9 to To Tei Wan entrance on Shek O Road. You can also take the Shek O minibus next to the bus terminus. Look for the well-marked trailhead next to To Tei Wan village.

 

Although it’s possible to hike the Dragon’s Back trail year-round, the Hong Kong summer heat and humidity can be overwhelming for some people. It’s best to start earlier in the morning before it gets too hot and crowded. This is a popular hike, especially on weekends.

 

Those with more time looking to do a longer hike can choose additional portions, or the entirety, of the Hong Kong Trail, which is 31 miles (50 kilometers) long, from the peak to Big Wave Bay. Other trails to consider include the 62-mile (100-kilometer) MacLehose Trail, the 48-mile (78-kilometer) Wilson Trail, and the 43-mile (70-kilometer) Lantau Trail.

Anguilla is famous for its picturesque beaches, and even on an island ringed by fabulous sand, Shoal Bay takes the prize. Often lauded as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, Shoal Bay’s pristine white sand is lapped by clear-blue waters and makes the perfect spot for a day lounging by the sea.

The beach is divided into two sections: upper and lower Shoal Bay. Most people head to the larger and wider area of Lower Shoal Bay, where you’ll find a collection of beach bars and restaurants where you can grab a cold drink before settling under a palm tree or sliding into a beach chair for the afternoon. While there, be sure to stop at Gwen's Reggae Bar and Grill, a local institution where you can sample local BBQ ribs and lobster while sipping a Carib beer.

E 11, also known as Sheikh Zayed Road, is the main artery passing through the city of Dubai, running north to south parallel to the coast. Named after the beloved first president of the United Arab Emirates, the road exits Dubai and runs all the way to Abu Dhabi, but the segment stretching between the Emirates Towers and the Dusit Thani Hotel serves as the main access point to almost everything in the city.

Lined with towering skyscrapers and prestigious hotels (World Trade Centre, The Fairmont Dubai, Shangri-La Hotel and Millennium Tower to name a few), the road has six lanes running in each direction, with the Red Line of the Dubai Metro running parallel for most of its length through the city.

Shifen Waterfall is located in the Pingxi District of Taipei and is one of the most famous falls in Taiwan. At just 20 meters it’s not remarkably tall, but it is the widest waterfall in the country – it spans some 40 meters across – and is both incredibly powerful and majestically captivating. Torrents of water plunge into a deep pool, raising a shroud of mist that creates a dazzling rainbow effect on sunny days. The waterfall’s rocks slope in the opposite direction to the flow of the water in a cascade style similar to that of Niagara Falls, earning it the nickname, “Taiwan's Little Niagara.”

It is a scenic walk from Shifen railway station to the waterfall, with many choosing to extend the hike by alighting the train from Taipei at Sandiaoling and taking three or four hours to complete the Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail.

Overlooking the mouth of Dubai Creek, the Sheikh Saeed al-Maktoum House was home to Dubai’s rulers during the early 20th century and is now a museum. Dating from 1896, the house is composed of wind towers (barjeel), courtyards, and rooms featuring exhibitions on Dubai and its ruling al-Maktoum clan from the late 1800s to the 1960s.

Located in Al Shindagha, south of Dubai Creek, the house was home to Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler from 1912 to 1958, and the childhood home of his grandson, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s current ruler. Expanded several times, it offers fascinating insight into Dubai before the city’s 1960s oil boom. Highlights are the traditional courtyards, teak-doored rooms, upper receptions (majlis), and wind towers that were designed to maximize Gulf breezes. Inside, photos chart the royals’ lifestyles and Dubai’s days as a pearl-trading port, while stamp, coin, and document collections spotlight its humble beginnings.

Travelers can explore on a guided tour or independently. It’s also a stop on the city’s hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. Many Dubai tours feature a photo stop or brief visit—entrance fees are modest—while more culturally oriented tours provide time for a longer look around.

To get here, catch a cab or drive—the house is off Al Khaleej Road near Dubai’s Heritage Village. Other options include taking the metro or bus to its respective Al Ghubaiba stops and then making the 10-minute or so walk from either. Otherwise, catch one of the ferries that run from Dubai Marina to the Al Ghubaiba terminal.

The house is open Saturday–Thursday, 8am–8:30pm, and Fridays, 3pm–9:30pm. A good time to visit is early evening, when the house is cooler and you can enjoy sunset views over Dubai Creek from the upper rooms. Double-check opening times, as the house is often closed for maintenance.

The photo displays are the biggest draw, largely because they highlight the incredible contrast between mid-20th century and today’s Dubai. Sepia photos show it as a modest Arabian port of bustling dhow yards, and others chart events, such as the swarms of locusts that descended on the city in 1953.

The Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum is based in the residence of the founder and first president of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The palace complex was built in 1910 on the western side of the mighty Al Ain Oasis and was home to Sheikh Zayed and his family from 1937 until 1966. It later became a museum in 1998.

The building is set around attractive courtyards and gardens where guests can wander around while learning about Sheikh Zayed and his life. Visitors have access to the meeting rooms, or majlis, where the president met with dignitaries and other visitors to the palace. There’s also the chance to take a peek at the palace’s sleeping quarters, including the canopied bed of the ruler’s wife. 

If you’re visiting Sydney and watching the sunset while standing out on the sand, then you must be standing on Shelly Beach—the only westward facing beach on Australia’s eastern coast.

Located south of popular Manly, Shelly Beach is a smaller and quieter place to soak up some sun. The waters here in Cabbage Tree Bay are part of a protected reserve, where a small reef creates calm conditions for snorkeling, swimming, and diving. Over 150 species of marine life inhabit Cabbage Tree Bay—and the shallow waters of 30 feet or less means there’s actually a good chance of finding them.

On Shelley’s western end, out towards the reef, watch as surfers rip apart waves at the surf spot known as “Bower’s,” and even when the waves are overhead, Shelley Beach is still protected when compared to east-facing Manly. On the short stroll from Manly to Shelly, stop to admire the Fairy Bower pool that juts out into the sea, or grab a bite at Le Kiosk restaurant across the street from the sand. Above the beach, on the rocky headland, a small bush trail leads to a viewpoint gazing back towards Manly, where the pine-lined shore and golden sands combine to form one of Sydney’s most classic coastal scenes. 

This ruins of this Crusader castle, formerly known as Mons Realis (Royal Mountain), date back to AD 1115 when they were built by Baldwin I of Jerusalem as a way to control the caravan and pilgrimage routes between Syria and the Arabian Peninsula.

Today much of the original fortifications lie in ruins. Calligraphic inscriptions on the exterior of the remaining walls date back to the thirteenth century, and within the castle, visitors will find remains of a small chapel, the original gatehouse and several Ottoman cottages. Two large buildings with arched entrances date back to the time of the Crusaders but were later used by the Mamluks as a school.

Sharp Island, the largest island within Hong Kong’s Kiu Tsui Country Park, measures only 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) long and a third of a mile (0.5 kilometers) wide. Visitors come to hike the half-mile (1-kilometer) Sharp Island Geo Trail, covered with volcanic rocks from various periods of volcanic activity, and to bask on the island’s two stunning beaches — Half Moon Bay and Kiu Tsui Beaches. At low tide a natural sand levee, or tombolo, allows visitors to walk from Kiu Tsui Beach to neighboring Kiu Tau. Both beaches offer facilities like campsites, changing rooms, showers and beachside barbecue areas.

London’s most famous fictional detective is brought to life at the Sherlock Holmes Museum, located at 221b Baker Street, the legendary address from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, where Holmes and his famous sidekick, Dr. Watson, lived between 1881 and 1904.

Sherlock fans will delight in exploring the Sherlock Holmes Museum, a privately run attraction that faithfully re-creates the world of Conan Doyle’s books. For the full experience, opt for a Sherlock Holmes walking tour and visit filming sites from the BBC TV series Sherlock, or combine a Sherlock Holmes tour with a tour of the East London locations associated with Jack the Ripper. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Sherlock Holmes gift shop, where you can pick up a Holmes-style magnifying glass or deerstalker cap.

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is located at 221b Baker Street—which is actually found between 237 and 241 Baker Street—in North London. It’s within walking distance of attractions such as Madame Tussauds and Regent’s Park, and the closest tube station is Baker Street on the Bakerloo, Circle, Jubilee, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines.

Open daily year-round, the museum can get busy, especially during the peak summer months. The quietest time to visit is weekday mornings.

Visitors are welcomed to the house by esteemed landlady Mrs. Hudson before embarking on a journey into the world of detective Sherlock Holmes. You’ll see Holmes’ characteristic Victorian-style study on the first floor overlooking Baker Street, as well as Watson’s bedroom on the second floor. The “lumber room” is full of lodgers’ suitcases, and Holmes’ attic bedroom appears in typical disarray. Look out for Holmes’ favorite armchair by the fire, his treasured calabash pipe, his array of wacky disguises, and his collection of secret notebooks and papers scattered around the house.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the central place of worship for citizens of the United Arab Emirates. This massive white structure is the largest mosque in the country, accommodating roughly 40,000 people. Inside you’ll find white marble columns with mother-of-pearl engravings, expansive Iranian carpets, and intricate crystal chandeliers. 

The Grand Mosque is one of the UAE’s most famous attractions. Entrance is free and complimentary guided tours run throughout the day, including an evening sunset tour. The mosque also features on most city sightseeing tours, whether you want to explore on a full-day or half-day excursion, and many city tours also visit other notable points of interest such as the Corniche, Yas Island, Ferrari World, and the Heritage Village. It’s also possible to see the mosque, along with other Abu Dhabi highlights, on an action-packed day trip from Dubai.

The Grand Mosque sits on Abu Dhabi’s eastern edge, between the three main bridges connecting the city to the mainland. The easiest way to get there is by taxi, but multiple city buses stop nearby as well. 

The mosque is open daily, except on Fridays which are reserved for worship. Due to the heat, it’s best to visit early in the morning or in the late evening. Golden hour, just before sunset, is the best time to capture photos of the magnificent structure. 

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is home to the world’s largest carpet, the world’s largest marble mosaic, and one of the world’s largest chandeliers—a 24-carat gold gilded piece measuring 39 feet (10 meters) in diameter. It also boasts 82 domes and more than 1,000 columns.

Aside from the wallabies or kangaroos you might see while hiking or driving, the best way to see animals in Australia is at spots like spectacular Shoalhaven Zoo. Set outside the town of Nowra on the coast of New South Wales, this 16-acre wildlife facility has 100 species of exotic animals in a native bushland setting. Here you’ll find dingoes, koalas, wallabies, tortoises, pythons, and llamas, as well as Capuchin and Marmoset monkeys and lazy but fearsome crocodiles. Watch as zookeepers hand feed the crocs or play with the cuddly koalas, and hear educational lectures from zookeepers on all the various wildlife. If traveling with children, listen as they try to imitate a kookaburra or laugh at the blue faced cassowary, or take the whole family on a rainforest adventure as you navigate the caves, bridges, and ladders of the aptly named Adventure Walk. There’s also a campground located on site if you’d like to stay overnight, and possibly fall asleep to the sounds of exotic animals in the distance.

Founded in 1998 and housed within a grand Qatari fort just outside of Doha, the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, or Sheikh Faisal Museum for short, showcases items from the private collection of the Sheikh after whom it was named. As a boy, Sheikh Faisal began collecting documents and artifacts from his travels with his father throughout the Gulf region.Today, the collection includes more than 15,000 pieces from four different continents.

The museum is divided into four themed areas: Islamic art, Qatar heritage, vehicles and coins and currency. Visitors to the museum can explore one of the most eclectic collections of any Doha museum, including the world’s largest private collection of armory. A highlight of the museum collection is the assortment of vintage cars, many of which once belonged to the Qatari royal family.

Shivapuri National Park, also called Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, forms the northern part of the Kathmandu valley and covers an area of 159 square kilometers. The park is located in the transition zone between subtropical and temperate climates, which can be observed in the parks typical plant life. In the forests, hikers will find many familiar trees and shrubs, such as pine, oak and rhododendron and especially notable are the countless orchids with their large blooms, which can be found everywhere along the way. Mushrooms grow here naturally and approximately 129 separate species of fungi have been counted. 

Also not to be forgotten is the wildlife in the Shivapuri National Park, which includes the Himalayan black bear, Indian leopards, Indian civets, golden jackals and jungle cats. Rhesus monkeys perform their gymnastics in the treetops and their antics have been known to scare many a hiker sunken in thought. Since the national park forms a wide valley, the trails are especially popular with trekkers and mountain bikers, who can climb up to sights such as the Buddhist Nagi Gompa monastery, where about a hundred nuns live with spectacular views over the green valley slopes and the Himalayan backdrop. Visitors can go up even higher and follow the trail up to over 2,700 meters to the second highest peak of Kathmandu Valley. At the very top, the origin of the Bagmati river, one of the main sources of drinking water in the valley, flows out of the mouth of two tigers – an imposing sight. 

Founded by Sheikh Mohammed and opened in 1998, the Centre for Cultural Understanding in Dubai serves to promote awareness of Emirati culture, including food, customs, and religion, with the aim to educate visitors and expats and remove cultural barriers. Situated within the Emirati wind tower house in Dubai's Al Fahidi district, the SMCCU run guided tours of this historic area, including local mosques such as the Jumeirah Mosque.

The center operates under the motto, "Open Doors, Open Minds" and organizes various activities in addition to tours, including lectures and educational programs, cultural awareness events, Arabic classes, and Iftars during Ramadan. It also offers visitors the opportunity to learn about and experience Emirati food by hosting Cultural Breakfasts and Cultural Lunches, where guests are free to ask questions and exchange ideas with locals while sampling authentic Emirati cuisine.

Uniting Ljubljana’s historic and colorful Baroque center with Jurčič Square, the 13th-century Shoemaker’s Bridge (Cevljarski Most) is an integral part of Ljubljana, past and present. Once a point at which to collect tolls on foodstuffs, spices, and textiles, today, the oldest bridge in the city is a gathering point for street artists and stallholders in summer and a popular stop on many city walking tours. Redesigned by Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik in 1931, the stone bridge is adorned with six pairs of pillars and crosses over the Ljubljanica River, connecting to the imposing Three Bridges (Tromostovje) by walkway along the Ljubljanica.

Explore the city's most famous bridges and architecture on a guided day tour of Ljubljana and the Alpine town of Lake Bled, with included round-trip transportation departing from most nearby cities.