In the third of our continuing four-part series covering top travel destinations for 2015, it’s all about the differential. There’s never been a time quite like this in the travel industry. What once seemed out of reach because of budget is now more affordable than ever and if proximity was an issue we’ve learned that there’s more ways to skin a cat as far as airline routing goes.
Two destinations in particular, Ålesund in Norway and Dawson City in the Yukon, until now had appeared mostly on cruise ship itineraries but anyone considering a road trip through Norway or Western Canada will want to be sure these two are stopping points. And who wouldn’t be curious about Tunisia, an emerging destination for anyone with a taste for the exotic. But no matter your tastes all of the following places have more than enough to pique your interest.
Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan; Photo by Kah Wah LinTaiwan is a country of contrasts, balancing energetic cities with natural beauty. The 300 year old capital of Taipei combines the modern with the traditional and is flavored with Chinese, Western and Japanese influences. Temples, heritage streets, an excellent zoo, incredibly good food and vibrant night markets sit together comfortably. Housing the world’s finest collection of Chinese art, the National Palace Museum is a must. Visit Tainan, Taiwan’s oldest city with 220 temples and superb Confucian temple architecture. But the big draw in Taiwan is the stunning natural beauty outside the cities’ walls. Steep mountains, lush forests, breathtaking views, and extraordinary landscapes await the intrepid traveler. Climb 12,966 foot Mount Yushan, the highest peak in North East Asia; visit other natural wonders including the Taroko Gorge, the Penghu basalt rock formations, Sun Moon Lake and the East Rift Valley, then soothe your aching muscles at Taian Hot Springs.
Tunisia
Long a popular destination for savvy Europeans seeking a sea and sun holiday, Tunisia has more than just fabulous beaches to make it a must destination. As the only democracy in North Africa, the country prides itself on its relative stability and modernism. Compared to many places on the Mediterranean Sea, which hugs its northern coast, it’s very affordable. With the Sahara desert to the south, the country is a magical mix of Ottoman influences, Islamic culture, Roman history, European flavor and natural beauty. It is a country of contrasts. In the morning you can tour El Djem, the world’s third-largest amphitheater and at night rock out at one of the country’s music festivals featuring global performers. The landscape’s colors run the gamut from pink flamingo filled lakes and sandy Sahara dunes to sprawling green plains and forests to the deep blues of the Mediterranean. Dine on Maghrebi cuisine or try excellent French or Italian dishes. Stay at one of the stylish, relaxed smaller hotels. Explore ancient Roman ruins, visit charming villages like Sidi Bou Saïd, shop at the medinas, explore mountain oases, and wander through ancient buildings. Or simply relax at the beach.
Temples of the Gods; Subaytilah, Tunisia; Photo by Dennis Jarvis
London, England
Westminister, London; Photo by Viggo JohansenLet’s face it. One never tires of London. There’s always something new, yet old favorites still entice. Enjoy fabulous parks and gardens from big to intimate like St James and Chelsea Physic Garden; experience the extraordinary and ever evolving food scene; see world-class theatre and entertainment; save your money for the shopping streets from Knightsbridge to Brick Lane; wander through ancient cathedrals like Southwark and Westminster; shop brilliant markets including such stalwarts as Portobello for antiques and Borough for food; tour the street art in East London. London has wonderful streets and alleys for exploration; history on every corner; a first-rate transport system and some of the finest museums in the world from the Victoria and Albert to the Tate Modern. A museum “must”: the mummy room and the “Bog Man” at the British Museum. This is a city for everyone from the adventurous single traveler to multigenerational families.
From the Editors at TS: For a more extensive list of the top destinations and attractions in London, check out the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: London.
Ålesund & Nordfjord, Norway
Ålesund is stunning both in its amazing architecture and its location. Built on a series of islands and laced with canals, this tiny Norwegian port was destroyed in a massive fire in 1904 and totally rebuilt in the exquisite Jugendstil (Art Nouveau). It is the most stunning example of Jugendstil in all of Scandinavia. Not only is the city itself worth a few days of exploration, Ålesund is a perfect jumping off point for the magnificent Nordfjord region of Norway. While in town, walk the winding streets to admire the Art Nouveau architecture; visit the Jugendstil Senteret, a former pharmacy and the first listed Jugendstil monument in town; explore the Sunnmøre Museum, an open-air museum that takes you back in time while viewing its collection of 55 old Norwegian houses; stop at the Ålesund Church, built in 1909. Then take a day cruise on the famous Hurtigruten Line to Geirangerfjord, a World Heritage site and an awesome fjord experience; you can stay overnight on the ship if you like and continue the voyage by car to more fjords. Pick-up a rental and drive the national highway to see the Nordfjords; experience the incredible microclimates you find along the way. Stop and stay at the Kviknes Hotel, a stunning historic, family owned property in the charming little town of Balestrand right on a fjord. From the hotel you can walk to the harbor and hop on a small craft to see the sights. Best time to experience Norway, the land of the midnight sun, is May to October when you can have your last cocktail in full sunlight at 11:30 PM!
From the Editors at TS: For a more extensive list of the top destinations and attractions in Norway, check out the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Norway.
Saba
Photo by Stefan Krasowski
One of the last unsoiled places on earth, Saba is a 5,000 foot dormant volcano of which 3,000 feet is above sea level. It is geographically stunning. This verdant, vertical island is filled with natural wonders. Lush tropical rainforest foliage, brilliant flowers, exotic fruit and winding vines are everywhere. The single, hand built “Road” winds from the tiny airport (at 800 feet above sea level) up through charming little villages still inhabited by descendants of the original 17th century pirates and sea captains. Not only is the landscape breathtaking, the local Saban architectural vernacular is reminiscent of Switzerland meets the Caribbean – charming white clapboard or stone cottages fitted out with red metal roofs, green and white shutters and doors and Creole gingerbread trim surrounded by rough hewn stone walls and tropical gardens. This is Old World Caribbean charm on steroids so you can simply melt into the scene and be totally “away from it all”. It’s a place to simply relax and unwind. Or you can delve into the exhilarating activities; hiking and diving are world-class activities here. Stay at a charming small hotel or rent a villa or cottage and live like a local. And eat some of the best lobster in the Caribbean from the Saban banks. What is there to bring back? The island is noted for lace making and fine art as well as the potent Saba Spice.
From the Editors at TS: For a more extensive list of the top destinations and attractions in the Caribbean, check out the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Caribbean.
Dawson City, Yukon
Dawson City, in Canada’s Yukon Territory, and truly a page out of a history book, is just plain fun. With its Dodge City dirt streets and timeless mid-19th century Wild West town architecture, it looks like it should be a World Heritage site but has not yet been designated. Still, it’s classified as a Canadian National Historic City. Referred to as the Paris of the North during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, the town’s original buildings and homes from that era are ripe for storytelling. Writers like Jack London and Canada’s own Robert Service wove tales of adventure and intrigue while holed up here during long winters. While a visit here is like a fascinating ride in a time machine, the town’s geographic positioning in Canada’s great outdoors and its proximity to Alaska means that there is a lot to see and do. First, get the lay of the land by taking a historic tour with “Suitcase Sue”, a docent dressed in period garb who parades you through town and into the old commercial structures lining the dusty streets and wooden planked sidewalks. There is only one paved street, imagine that! Take a tour of a period gold mine and pan for gold; visit art centers; walk heritage trails and paths; stay in restored old hotels and hike up into the mountains. The surrounding area is also an excellent spot to view the Northern Lights and you can even day trip to Alaska. If you visit in September, test your athletic mettle by entering the annual International Outhouse Race … loads of crazy fun for anyone with a sense of humor. Just bring some long underwear.
From the Editors at TS: For a more extensive list of the top destinations and attractions in Canada, check out the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Canada.
Atlanta, Georgia
In 1836, construction began on the Western and Atlantic Railroad to link Savannah with the West; around 1842 the suggested name for the railroad terminus was Atlantica-Pacifica (in honor of the rail connection), which was shortened to “Atlanta”. From a population of 30, the town has exploded into a city that today ranks 15th in the world. Sadly, the fires of the Civil War depleted Atlanta of her historical buildings, but it gave the city a unique opportunity to fully embrace world class modern architecture while keeping the feeling of the late 19th and early 20th century Southern lifestyle. This mélange plus the diverse population has made Atlanta one of the most exciting, fun and lively metropolitan areas in the US. While not exactly “Southern”, the city retains a bit of a twang blended with a multi-cultural vibe which is especially evident in the diversity of culinary offerings, the offbeat neighborhoods, the vibrant art scene and the film scene (it’s often called the Black Hollywood thanks to talent like Tyler Perry). That’s just a sampling of what makes Atlanta “Hot-Lanta”. The food alone is worth a trip there; from fine dining to joints. Sophisticated takes on Southern cuisine sit side by side with ethnic offerings; dine at farm to table places in the gentrified neighborhoods; check out Buford Highway, the city’s international corridor for ethnic food; hit the Varsity, the city’s famous and longest operating fast food chain and the world’s largest drive-in restaurant. Experience nature indoors and out; visit the Georgia Aquarium, the world’s largest indoor aquarium; walk the 40 foot high Kendeda Canopy Walk at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and tour one of the last remaining urban forests. Learn the history and culture of Atlanta; explore the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, the World of Coco-Cola, the Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum and Margaret Mitchell House and Museum among others. The stunning High Museum houses a diverse collection of works from 19th century to contemporary. Atlanta is a festival town, too, for the arts, music, film and more with the Dogwood Festival and Film Festival among the most popular. It’s also “home of the Braves,” so catch a game if you’re in town.
