Things to Do in Washington Dc

With its a unique approach to science, Cardiff's leading science and discovery center, Techniquest, is one of the most popular discovery centers in the whole of the UK, dedicated to making science not only accessible, but a whole lot of fun.

Since it opened 1986, the Techniquest Science Discovery Centre, located in Cardiff Bay, has become one of the most visited family attractions in the country, with over 120 hands-on exhibits and a Science theatre to keep children (and inquisitive adults) amused.
A series of fully interactive puzzles bring the weird and wonderful tricks of science to life, along with some mind-blowing optical illusions. Watch objects hover in a vertical wind tunnel; make your own shadow freeze in place; find your way through a complex maze of mirrors; act out a rocket or hot air balloon launch; or test your reflexes through a series of challenges.

There's method behind the madness too - as each installation leaves you desperate for explanations, you'll find yourself soaking up information without even realizing and there's plenty to take in. Learn how the surface tension of bubbles affects their speed in a "˜bubble race'; understand how acoustic design can make a whisper audible from 100 feet away; figure out how an object can roll uphill and experiment with making yourself "˜invisible'. Finally, once your brain is well and truly frazzled, head to the Planetarium, where you can lay back and marvel at the glittering night sky.

First opened in 1907, the D.C. area's largest train station is the headquarters for Amtrak, the busiest station on the Metrorail's Red Line, and a shopping and dining destination. Set just five blocks from the U.S. Capitol Building, this sprawling warren of specialty boutiques, food courts and elegant restaurants beneath soaring, gilded ceilings and Grecian arches makes for an easy stop amidst sightseeing in Federal Triangle, on Capitol Hill, and in Chinatown and Penn Quarter.

Union Station reached its peak in popularity during and immediately following World War II, but after a failed attempt to turn it into a popular National Visitors Center in the 1970s, it was refurbished and re-launched in its present form in 1988. Since then, the train station has been used by an average of 1o,000 Amtrak travelers per year, headed to and from destinations all over the country.

A variety of city tours depart from the Main Hall at the station's street level, including Old Town Trolley Tours and Open Top Sightseeing, but guided tours of Union Station itself are not offered.  To get a different view of the station, visit the popular outdoor market held here each April through October, Monday "“ Saturday from 7 a.m. "“ 7 p.m.

Located on the Metrorail Red Line, there is also a large public parking lot on the premises of Union Station; with validation, up to two hours' parking costs $1.

Fittingly, the layout of the Torture Museum is of a maze of small, dark rooms. Often listed amongst the "world's most unusual museums", it features a theatrical atmosphere, which lightens what would otherwise be a rather somber mood. Each room displays one or two torture devices, with some being safely secured from human use, and others being free to touch and feel. Each device is accompanied by a description of how and why it was used; the most curious visitors will undoubtedly enjoy the image from an old book showing it in use. The museum is obviously home to a variety of torture devices, including well-known ones such as the guillotine. It also features lesser-known devices such as thumbscrews, the intriguing flute of shame, the iron maiden, skull crusher, Judas chair, Catherine Wheels, and Scold's bridle. While some of the devices are genuine, some have been reconstructed according to the literature.

Vacationers in search of some sand and surf will treasure the undeveloped beaches of the southeast peninsula of St. Kitts. Among these, Turtle Beach offers opportunities for stalking monkeys and swimming within sight of neighboring Nevis. Open-air cafes offer margaritas, buckets of chilled Carib beer, grilled mahi mahi and other local favorites just feet from the water, and while the service can be a little slow, the food and the views are well worth the wait. A menagerie of chickens, goats and local legend Wilbur the pig, who is famously friendly to fault, is on hand.

One of the smallest popular beaches on the island, Turtle Beach nonetheless has live local music on Sunday afternoons. Pleasure seekers looking for unspoiled paradise may be disappointed due to the crowds of tourists and hawkers pushing massage and braided hair extensions, but travelers interested in soaking up some local color along with an allotment of sun should head straight for Turtle Beach. 

Since opening its doors back in 1864, the Tropenmuseum, or "˜Museum of the Tropics', has amassed 175,000 objects from Dutch colonies around the world, making it one of the largest museums in Amsterdam.

Split into eight sizable permanent exhibitions, the items showcase the daily life and possessions of Dutch overseas residents and provide a fascinating glimpse into the diverse cultures and traditions of inhabitants around the globe. Each exhibit focuses on a different geographical region, with Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, all getting a nod. Other key attractions include a vast collection of over 150,000 photographs dating from 1855"“1940; a theatrical exhibition featuring masks, puppets and musical instruments from around the world; and a Junior sub-museum, with a series of interactive exhibitions and events, including dance, art and cooking, aimed at children. A varied roster of temporary visual arts and photographic exhibitions play a huge part in the Tropenmuseum's popularity too, ensuring that the weird, the wonderful and even the downright ordinary are all covered.

The anthropological museum is owned and operated by the Royal Tropical Institute and housed in a specially constructed listed building in East Amsterdam. The sprawling mansion was constructed in 1926 to designs by JJ.Van Nieukerken and the elaborate facade features sculptures, friezes and carvings symbolic of Dutch history and world cultures.

Situated on an abandoned WW2 airfield, Ta'Quali occupies a series of seemingly ramshackle Nissan huts "“ plans to spruce up Ta'Quali rear their heads from time to time, but so far no funding has been raised for the redevelopment. Don't be put off by their tattiness as they hide the best selection of authentic Maltese crafts found on the island.

This is the place to find delicate filigree silverware, handmade lace, hand-blown glass, leather, linen and cheery painted ceramics, all created by local artisans. Expect to pay a little more for your purchases, but be happy in the knowledge that you are buying a genuine piece of Maltese treasure. Even if you don't buy, there's the chance to watch skilled craftsmen at work in their stores.

Two standout stores are the glassworks, Phoenician Glassblowers and Mdina Glass; both produce highly colored quality glassware. Another of Malta's best buys is gold and silver work, and the making of intricate filigree jewelry is a national specialty. All Maltese silver and gold products should be certified and hallmarked. A design found across the island is the delicate interlaced Maltese cross, symbol of the Knights of St John who occupied Malta between 1530 and 1792.

Tivua Island is a glorious Fijian hideaway surrounded by 500 acres (202 hectares) of spectacular coral reef. The reef is home to tropical fish, starfish, octopus and sea cucumber making for some of the finest snorkeling in Fiji. During the nesting season Tivua Island is a sanctuary for turtles.

Perfect white beaches ring Tivua Island and are fantastic for swimming; only a limited number of visitors are allowed on the island each day so it is never crowded. When you're done lying on the beach there are canoes to take out on the water and give your muscles a workout.

If you've fallen in love with Tivua Island then you can secure one of the two accommodation huts on the island. A romantic candle-lit dinner on the beach is a must if you're staying overnight.

The twin Trafalgar Falls are a star attraction in Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Surrounded by thick rainforest vegetation, the falls tumble into refreshing pools. Access is relatively easy, though take care on the slippery rocks.

Follow the 10-minute trail to the viewing platform from the visitor center, cool off in the smaller waterfall or seek out the taller fall's hot springs for a natural spa bath.

Archive, research library, gift shop and museum collection all in one, the Turks & Caicos National Museum is housed in one of Grand Turk's most impressive colonial buildings, Guinep House.

The history of the Turks & Caicos islands is explored in the museum's exhibits, which include stamps, coins and photographs. Best of all is the fascinating Message in a Bottle collection, revealing the often poignant messages sent from sinking ships and shipwrecked sailors.

Don't miss the display on the Molasses Reef Wreck, the oldest shipwreck to have been excavated in the Americas. Artifacts retrieved from the early-1500s wreck include cannons, surgical implements, bowls and tools, along with the vessel's hull.

You'll also see tools and artifacts formed from shells, and displays on the island's original Lucayan people.

More recent exhibits look at NASA's Space Program and the personal memories of astronaut John Glenn, who splashed down just offshore in 1962 and was the first American to orbit the earth.

Special guided tours are held for cruise visitors, expanding on shipwreck history, the island's salt industry and the John Glenn exhibit.

The museum is housed in the whitewashed and red-roofed Guinep House, a historic colonial building constructed almost 200 years ago from the salvaged timber of shipwrecks.

After browsing the exhibits, head to the Museum Shop to buy locally crafted jewelry, sea salt, coffee, woven baskets and guidebooks.