Things to Do in St John's

Singapore is home to culture, fashion and style. No place is this more evident than on the streets of its hippest suburb, Tiong Bahru. This former housing complex was constructed in the 1930s. Early on, it was notoriously known for the wealthy businessmen kept their mistresses tucked away in the quiet estate. Today, Tiong Bahru attracts a diverse lot of residence who call the art deco building with rounded terraces home. Old folks wander into the streets as the sun rises and by dusk, youthful professionals are heading out to enjoy the lively nightlife scene here.

Specialty shops that showcase quirky items and designer fashions make this suburban neighborhood a destination for locals (and travelers!) seeking to update their style with something unique and one-of-a-kind. And those in search of some serious eats will find food carts, restaurants and lively coffee shops that offer up tasty local cuisine, as well as the opportunity to interact with Tiong Bahru’s stylish local set. 

Back in the early 20th century, the RMS Titanic sat in this vast 900-foot (274-meter) dock—then known as Thompson Dry Dock—while workers toiled to put the final touches on the luxurious liner. Next door, an Edwardian-era pump house, which was used to drain water from the dock, now houses original machinery and Titanic-inspired exhibits.

Having housed the Titanic in the run-up to its departure, Titanic’s Dock gives a real sense of the engineering prowess of Belfast’s ship workers as well as the enormous size of the ship itself. Visitors can embark on self-guided tours, descending 44 feet (13 meters) below ground level to the floor of the dock as well as watching rare film clips and browsing the interactive displays at the Pump-House. 

Alternatively, explore the dock in the company of a guide on Titanic-themed tours of Belfast. These tours typically focus on the Titanic Quarter. Cruises on the River Lagan often float past Titanic’s Dock, while day tours to Northern Ireland from Dublin—whether to Belfast only or combining Belfast with the Antrim Coast—may include free time at the Titanic Quarter, during which participants can visit the dock and pump house independently. 

Titanic’s Dock and Pump-House is located in the Titanic Quarter, about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from Belfast city center. Walking from the city center takes 30–35 minutes. Alternatively, Translink Metro bus routes 26, 26A, 26B, and 26C all travel between Belfast City Centre and Titanic’s Dock, as does the Airport Express 600, 600A, and 600B. 

When to Get There 

Titanic’s Dock and Pump-House is busiest during the summer months, with peak visitor hours falling on weekends. If you do go on a Saturday or Sunday, arrive at opening time to get in ahead of the crowds. 

For visitors who want to keep exploring the city’s shipbuilding heritage and Titanic connections, continue on to Titanic Belfast, the cutting-edge exhibition center that traces the story of the ship, from its construction to its tragic end. Visitors can also see the slipways from which the ocean liner set off on its first and last voyage and step aboard the SS Nomadic, the tender ship to the Titanic, which carried passengers to the ill-fated ship from the port in Cherbourg, France.

For good old family fun and a rip-roaring jaunt through history, Time Travel Vienna is the city’s newest kid on the block, and where great culture meets light-hearted Disney. Housed in the former monastery of St Michael, the history of Vienna from its beginnings as Roman Vindobona is presented in a magical 5-D show featuring animatronics and multi-media special effects. After this, visitors come face to face with the Vienna of Strauss, Mozart and the waltz as well as the great characters in the Habsburg dynasty before experiencing an air raid during World War II. Proceedings come bang up to date with a simulator ride taking in today’s major sights in Vienna. Shows last about 50 minutes and there are several in English per day.

When travelers make their way to the far southern reaches of Argentina, chances are they’re heading into Tierra del Fuego National Park. The country’s only coastal national park protects the Andean-Patagonian forest, a land of peat bogs, beech forests, glistening lakes, remote beaches, and snow-capped peaks ideal for outdoor adventures.

 

Sitting close to Ushuaia, the park is a popular destination for a day trip. A typical guided tour of the park might include a ride on the End of the World train, guided hike through the forest, canoe trip on Lapataia Bay, or a 4WD tour of the park’s natural wonders. Multi-day itineraries in the area often include Tierra del Fuego, and a Beagle Channel sightseeing cruise and time to explore the town of Ushuaia.

 

 

Most visitors get to the park from the Argentine side, 7 miles (11 kilometers) west of Ushuaia on National Route 3. Buses depart regularly to the park, and most guided tours include round-trip transportation from hotels in Ushuaia.

 

The Patagonian summer (December to February) brings with it the best weather for exploring Tierra del Fuego National Park, but also the biggest crowds. This is also the best season to observe local wildlife.

 

Despite what the dramatic scenery would have you believe, this national park offers trails suitable for hikers of just about every ability level. There’s a short path from the park entrance to the peat-colored Black Lagoon, and another easy trail, called the Island, that follows the Lapataia and Ovando rivers. For the best views of Lapataia Bay, hike to Lookout Point.

The third-longest river in Italy, the Tiber (Tevere) winds down from the Apennine Mountains, passing through the city of Rome on its way to the coast at Ostia. This famous waterway, more than 250 miles (400 kilometers) long, has played a fundamental role in Roman history since its founding.

According to legend, the infants Romulus and Remus were abandoned on the Tiber before being rescued by a she-wolf; Romulus eventually became the founder of Rome in 753 BC. Since then, the river has been one of the city’s most important and strategic natural features, and the subject of myth and legend. Today this famous river offers unique views of Italy’s capital city and some of its most iconic sights, including Castel Sant’Angelo, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Tiber Island. And three bridges across the Tiber date from ancient Rome: Ponte Sant’Angelo, Fabricius Bridge, and the Milvian Bridge. 

Consider joining a Tiber River cruise to explore the city by water. Opt for a hop-on, hop-off cruise and take in the main attractions along the waterway, or book a romantic dinner cruise for a night tour of the Eternal City. Alternatively, follow the river’s route on foot or by bike on a small-group guided tour along the river walk, perhaps pairing your exploration with a tour of Vatican City or Trastevere.

The Tiber is crisscrossed by a number of bridges offering both lovely views of the river and access via stairs down to the river walk along the water’s edge. 

The Tiber is particularly beautiful and enjoyable in the mild months of spring and fall. During the hottest months of summer, it’s best to visit the river in the early morning or late evening. Summer also sees an outdoor fair and market set up along the water with pop-up restaurants and bars, shopping, and entertainment.

A hop-on, hop-off cruise along the Tiber is a fun and convenient way to discover Rome’s most important sights, including the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, Colosseum and Roman Forum, and Piazza del Popolo.

The king of Karangasem built his fantasy water palace at Tirta Gangga in 1948, and it’s one of east Bali’s most beautiful sights. Lush rice paddies back three levels of ornamental gardens with swimming pools, fountains, stone carvings, stepping stones, fish ponds, and airy pavilions. It is one of Indonesia’s most striking royal palaces.

 

Tirta Gangga water palace is one of east Bali’s most famous sights and an essential stop on any east Bali day tour. The entrance fee is inexpensive and the water garden is rarely crowded, while the manicured grounds and shady pavilions are delightful to walk in.

 

Just 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Amlapura, it’s also a short hop from the diving meccas of Amed and Tulamben, and a popular stop en route to Amed. Bali tours often pair Tirta Gangga palace with other relics of the Karangasem kingdom, such as Ujung Water Palace.

 

 

The easiest way for tourists to reach Tirta Gangga Water Palace is on the Perama shuttle, which runs to and from the airport, Kuta, Sanur, Ubud, Amed, Tulamben, Padangbai, and Candidasa. Self-driving is also possible, although as the journey from Kuta can take up to three hours, a door-to-door Bali tour or even a private tour is easier for most.

 

Tirta Gangga's name means "water of the Ganges." It is open seven days a week, year-round, with the exception of Nyepi (the “Day of Silence” holiday). The spacious grounds are rarely crowded, even on Indonesian public holidays. During Bali’s rainy season (roughly October till March), you stand the best chance of clear skies earlier in the day.

 

East Bali is perhaps the least visited area of Bali and remains substantially unspoiled and often very poor. Yet the kingdom of Karangasem, established in the 17th century, was once one of Bali’s richest and most powerful kingdoms. At many times, Karangasem's Hindu kings ruled not only swathes of eastern Bali but also half of the island of Lombok, next door.

When you hear “Inca ruins” you probably think Machu Picchu, and while the famous 15th century site deserves its bucket list status, Peru is home to other travel-worthy ruins as well. One of them, arguably the best demonstration of the incredible engineering skills of the Incas, is Tipón.

The 500-acre site, located near a natural spring 12 miles (20 kilometers) south of Cusco, comprises a network of agricultural terraces so elaborate that archeologists think they may have been used for testing difficult crops rather than for everyday farming. Some of the terraces are still in use and still supplied by the same ancient technology.

Since the site was part of an Incan noble’s estate, the elaborate stonemasonry exhibits the same stunning Imperial style as the structures seen at Machu Picchu, but with far fewer visitors to contend with.

A huge renovation project turned this once-neglected waterfront wasteland into one of Belfast’s most vibrant and most-visited neighborhoods. As well as apartments and a science park, the waterfront area also features several Titanic-related attractions, most notably Titanic Belfast and the Titanic’s Dock and Pump House.

With attractions such as Titanic Belfast, the Titanic’s Dock and Pump House, SS Nomadic, and the HMS Caroline battleship all situated within the Titanic Quarter, it’s no surprise this waterfront district sees a lot of tourist footfall. Titanic walking tours go here, as do hop-on hop-off Belfast tour buses, while sightseeing cruises on the River Lagan usually pass by this area too. 

Multi-day tours of Northern Ireland typically visit Belfast’s Titanic Quarter too, before venturing out to sights along the Antrim Coast, such as the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, and Game of Thrones filming location. 

The Titanic Quarter is situated on the banks of the River Lagan, about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from Belfast city center. Several bus routes, including the 26, 26A, 26B, 26C, 600A, and 600B, all run from near City Hall to the Titanic Quarter. Walking from the city center takes about 30 minutes. Trains also run between Belfast Central and Titanic Quarter station, which is about a 15-minute walk from the Titanic Quarter via the signposted footbridge. 

The Titanic Quarter is busiest from June through August, when tourists flock to the city. Get there early in the day to experience it at its quietest. Sunrise and sunset provide some magical photo opportunities, with the golden sky reflecting off the water, though the quarter’s visitor attractions may not be open.

For anyone interested in delving into the history of the Titanic, the Titanic Quarter is the place to do it. Start with the Titanic Belfast, a comprehensive interactive exhibition that focuses on the construction, history, and tragic sinking of the famous ocean liner. You can also pay a visit to the SS Nomadic, a tender ship that carried passengers from smaller ports to the Titanic, the Harland & Wolff Drawing Office (now Titanic Hotel), and the Titanic’s Dock and Pump House, the dry dock where the finishing touches were made to the so-called “unsinkable ship.”

Tiger Sky Tower, situated on Sentosa Island, offers scenic views over the city from Asia’s tallest freestanding observation tower. The revolving observation platform rises to a height of 430 feet (131 meters), giving guests 360-degree views across Singapore and the Southern Islands. On a clear day, it’s possible to see as far as Jurong Bahru in Malaysia and Palau Bintan in Indonesia.

Unlike many observation towers, where an elevator shuttles guests to the top, visitors enter the disc-shaped, climate-controlled cabin at ground level. The cabin begins to slowly revolve as it slowly ascends (about 4 feet per second) to its maximum height high above Sentosa. In effect, the observation platform is its own elevator. On the ride up, recorded commentary highlights the history of Sentosa and highlights various points of interest visible from the platform.

With one of the largest and most comprehensive art collections in Madrid, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is a veritable paradise for art lovers. The collection contains more than 1,000 works of mostly Western art and is part of the “Golden Triangle of Art” along with the Prado Museum and the Museo Reina Sofia.

 

Wandering the galleries of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum—with its vast and varied collection—is like taking a tour through art history. Some city tours include museum admission, and art lovers can learn more on a guided visit, which usually comes with skip-the-line access. Those who want to see Madrid’s best works of art in limited time can tour the entire Golden Triangle with a guide to focus on the highlights at each museum.

 

 

The easiest way to get to the museum is to take the Madrid Metro to Banco de España station (Line 2). Several public buses stop in the area as well.

 

The permanent collection is open daily year-round. Monday the museum is open only in the afternoon, and admission is free. Hours are extended during the busier summer months. The best time to visit the museum is first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon on a weekday.

 

The collection features so many celebrated names that you won’t have to walk far to come across a masterpiece. Van Dyck, Rubens, Rembrandt, Titian, Picasso, O’Keefe, and Kandinsky are just a few of the artists featured. Among the highlights are the Portrait of Henry VIII by Hans Holbein and Woman with a Parasol in a Garden by Renoir.

The Tiber River has run through Italy's capital city since ancient Roman times, and Tiber Island has a history that’s just as long. Once the site of the ancient temple of Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine, the island is where Romans have sought healing for centuries.

Tiber Island is situated in the Tiber River in Rome, just south of the Centro Storico between the former Jewish ghetto on the east bank and Trastevere on the west bank. There are two historic pedestrian bridges that connect the island to the river banks: Ponte Cestio and Ponte Fabricio, one of the oldest bridges in the city. The island, which has had a strong connection with medicine since antiquity, is where ailing Romans were often sent for treatment or quarantine. Today, one of Rome's main hospitals is still located here, as is the historic Church of San Bartolomeo all'Isola. 

Tiber Island is often included in Rome walking or Segway tours that cover the Jewish ghetto or Trastevere. You can also explore the island during a hop-on-hop-off river cruise, a bus tour of Rome highlights (including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican), or a private tour that’s paired with the Basilica of St. Nicholas, whose underground excavations have uncovered ancient Roman temples dating back to the 5th century BC.

Tiber Island, located in the Tiber River, is accessible by pedestrian bridge either from Trastevere or the Jewish ghetto.

As part of the Estate Romana, a series of outdoor summer events (including concerts and open-air markets) held along the Tiber River, the island hosts a film festival in the warmer months (June to September).

According to folklore, when the much-maligned tyrant Lucius Tarquinius Superbus died in 510 BC, his body was tossed into the Tiber River; silt built up over his corpse and eventually formed the mass that’s now Tiber Island.

Formerly known as Daria Daulat Bagh, Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace was built in 1784 in honor of Tipu Sultan's military victory over the British. This elegant palace, built almost entirely from fine teakwood, is an earlier example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, which features a blend of Indian, Islamic, and European elements.

 

The palace's biggest draw is its incredible architecture, with regal arches, towers, and domes covered with images of battle scenes. The interiors are painted with floral patterns, and there's an on-site museum showcasing artillery, coins, military medals, and furniture, along with a collection of oil paintings depicting the sultan and his life. The palace is a popular stop on day trips from Bangalore to Mysore, and many tours of the area stop here.

 

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace is located about 80 miles (129 kilometers) southwest of Bangalore and 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Mysore in the town of Srirangapatna, on the Bangalore–Mysore road. There’s regular bus and train service between the two cities, and most hotels in Mysore and Bangalore can arrange for round-trip transportation by taxi.

 

The palace is open daily from 9am to 5pm, but it’s best to visit first thing in the morning, when it’s at its least crowded. Weather may also play a factor for the best time to visit; if you’re coming from Mysore or Bangalore during the rainy monsoon season (June through August or September), give yourself a little extra time to get there, as wet roads can slow down traffic.

 

The palace is decorated with frescoes in the Mysore painting style, a form of ancient painting that was revived after Tipu Sultan's rule. The paintings often feature scenes from battles or Hindu mythology and are traditionally painted in steps, starting with the background and later adding elements to the foreground before detailing it with gesso, or gold foil.

Combine a bit of nature, a sprinkle of history, and the best view of Managua on a trip to the Tiscapa Lagoon—a crater lake, park, and nature reserve right in Nicaragua’s capital. The area is perhaps best known for its massive Augusto Sandino statue, an iconic symbol of the city.

Though there’s not much to see at Tiscapa Lagoon Natural Reserve (Reserva Natural Laguna de Tiscapa), the available sights are well worth the trip—an easy drive from Managua’s city center. A small historical display details Anastasio Somoza’s cruel regime on the grounds of his original custom-built “dungeons,” photos document historical earthquakes, and ruins of the former presidential palace still stand on the surrounding grounds of Tiscapa Historical National Park (Parque Histórico Nacional Loma de Tiscapa). Stand next to the statue of revered Sandinista founder Augusto Sandino for a look out at the city from its highest point, or take a short zipline canopy tour across the lagoon for unobstructed views. Though the site was declared a nature reserve in 1991, don’t plan to swim, as efforts to clean the water are still underway. For a more comprehensive experience of the area and its role in the city’s history, as well as easy logistics, visit as part of a Managua city tour. 

Tiscapa Lagoon is best reached by taxi or private vehicle. If driving yourself, head to the Crowne Plaza hotel and turn down the adjacent road marked for Tiscapa Lagoon. Most taxi drivers know how to make the 20-minute drive from city center.

The site is open year-round from 8am to 8pm. Plan your visit on a clear day for the best views, or head up toward evening for a romantic sunset.

The rim of the Tiscapa Lagoon was formed when a volcano blew its top more than 10,000 years ago, leaving the crater lake behind in its wake. Pre-Columbian artifacts found in the area show evidence of human habitation on the banks of the lagoon dating back hundreds of years.

Titanic Belfast is a rich multimedia spectacle standing on the site where the eponymous ill-fated luxury liner was built and first launched. Opened in 2012 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s infamous maiden—and only—voyage, Titanic Belfast swiftly became one of Northern Ireland’s most visited tourist attractions. Exhibits chronicle the rise of Belfast as an industrial superpower, re-create the city’s shipyard experience circa the early 1900s, and chart every detail of the construction of the Titanic, from bridge to passenger quarters.

Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest RMS Titanic visitor attraction, comprising nine interpretive and interactive galleries focused on the short history of the famous ship. Its exhibits fill six floors and include interactive discovery zones, full-scale reconstructions with special effects, and real-life accounts from survivors of the tragic wreck. Highlights include the Ocean Exploration Centre, with live links to modern underwater explorations, and the luxurious Titanic Banqueting Hall. All is visitable as a self-guided tour or with an audio guide (extra free), though staff are on hand throughout the exhibition to give extra information and guidance. Many travelers Belfast visit this site as part of a hop-on hop-off bus tour or with stand-alone tickets. It’s also possible to visit on a day trip from Dublin that also includes time at Giant’s Causeway.

Titanic Belfast is located in the Titanic Quarter, about 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) from Belfast’s city center. With a hop-on hop-off bus tour, you can get transportation there and back from Belfast city, and see the famous ship on your own time.

The site is open daily with varying seasonal hours: 10am to 5pm October through March; 9am to 6pm in April, May, and September; and 9am to 7pm June through August. Last admission is allowed one hour and 45 minutes before closing time. The site is busiest on weekend afternoons.

The Titanic Belfast has decided not to include artifacts salvaged from the Titanic wreck site and debris field for ethical reasons. Yet the nine Titanic Experience galleries showcase many other fascinating original items, including the lunch menu that first-class passengers received on the fateful day, original launch-day tickets, and the gold pocket watch worn by Lord Pirrie, who oversaw all elements of the Titanic’s construction. Yet the pièce de résistance is the ship’s 33-foot (10-meter) longitudinal plan, the most expensive Titanic artifact ever sold at auction.

Built in the late 18th century, Tipu Sultan’s Palace served as a retreat for Mysore’s ruler. This beautiful teak structure—once part of Bangalore Fort—attracts visitors with its beautiful Indo-Islamic architecture, interior frescoes, and selection of ephemera, including Tipu Sultan images along with his robes and a crown.

 

One of Bangalore's most popular attractions and a major stop on most Bangalore city tours, this beautiful palace is built entirely from teak wood, with two floors of pillars, archways, and balconies. While visitors generally come to gawk at the architecture and beautifully adorned interiors, the ground-floor museum is equally worth visiting. Don’t miss the replica of Tipu’s Tiger, an automaton toy depicting a tiger eating a soldier (the original is in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London).

 

 

Tipu Sultan’s Palace is located at the intersection of Krisnarajendra and Alur Venkata Rao roads in Chamrajpet, a short walk from the City Market and Bangalore Fort. It's about a 10-minute drive to Cubbon Park and a 15-minute drive to Bangalore station. Bangalore is well-connected to airports across India and has regular international flights from elsewhere in Asia and Europe.

 

The palace is open daily, though arriving first thing in the morning is recommended to avoid crowds. The palace itself remains cool, but travelers planning on spending time exploring the surrounding area on foot should take weather into consideration. The coolest months are November through January, while April and May can get fairly hot. Monsoon rains in June–August deter many travelers from visiting India, though it’s also during this time that crowds are lightest.

 

Tipu Sultan was an important ruler of Mysore, notable for making numerous changes during his reign, from pioneering rocket artillery to laying the foundation for Mysore's silk industry. He used the tiger as his symbol and was sometimes referred to the Tiger of Mysore; according to legend, he killed a tiger attacking him using only a dagger.