Things to Do in Anaheim & Buena Park

Built on an authentic Inca foundation, this humble museum in the heart of Cusco houses an impressive collection of Incan artifacts. Hundreds of examples of handmade goldwork, pottery, textiles and queros line the halls of this truly memorable spot and offer travelers a rare look into the nation’s ancient past. 

Visitors will find plenty to explore inside the Inca Museum, but its outdoor courtyard, where Andean weavers showcase their skills, is also worth checking out. Travelers can purchase handmade items directly from the artists, who provide demonstrations of old-school techniques and answer questions while they work. It’s a chance to experience ancient artistry in real time and take home a piece of the tradition, too.

By day Punta Cana is a place to relax, go golfing, snorkeling, or sailing, but by night Punta Cana is a place to party—especially at Imagine Disco. After all, when was the last time you partied underground, inside of a natural cave? Or visited a bar where the drinks were conveniently included in entry to the club? At this sprawling, multi-cave, Punta Cana hot spot, multiple DJs spin different genres of thumping musical rhythms, and you can choose the room that fits your mood and the music you want to hear. With VIP entry you not only receive transport both to and from your resort, but also dedicated bottle service of premium labels at comfortable tables before heading back to the dance floor.

Insider's Tip: Occasionally shows are held in the Universe Cave, which has a dance floor with a maximum capacity of 3,000 people. Check the local event calendar to see if a show is coming to town during your stay in Punta Cana.

Housed in two buildings connected by a modern ticket office, the Imperial Furniture Collection forms part of the Kunsthistorischen museums based at the Hofburg Palace. Both museum buildings are notable in their own right; the furniture repository at Mariahilferstrasse 88 was commissioned in 1901 by Emperor Franz Joseph II to store the overspill from the Imperial Family’s vast stockpile of priceless antique furniture. The other half of the museum is found in a simple, Bidermeier-style townhouse dating from the early 19th century. 

Able to draw on over 165,000 pieces – the largest collection of furniture in the world – the museum stages changing exhibitions of Empire and Bidermeier furniture interspersed with oddly intimate artifacts such as wheelchairs, displayed in elegant panelled rooms. Among the masterpieces of three centuries of rabid accumulation is the fabulous Egyptian Cabinet, designed for Empress Maria Ludovica in 1812 and complete with ornate carved figures; and several sets taken from 1950s movies featuring the much-loved Empress Elisabeth (nicknamed Sisi), who was assassinated in Geneva in 1898.

Inbursa Aquarium (Acuario Inbursa) opened its doors in June 2014 and is not only the largest aquarium in Mexico, but one of the largest in the world. With 11,500 square feet, the aquarium houses more than 5,000 marine mammals in a multi-level complex that is mostly underground and cost a reported $19 million to complete. The nearly 230 species of animals include piranhas, sharks, turtles, jellyfish and crocodiles. 

Visitors to Inbursa enter at street level and then descend several floors underground to moody lit tanks designed to mimic the varying ocean depths. There are five fish tanks with a total volume of 1.6 million gallons of water, all brought in from the Mexican state of Veracruz, while the sand was brought in from Florida. 

Exhibits are themed and based on various ecosystems and ocean depths. The lowest level has brightly colored fish swimming with rays and sharks, while the Sunken Ship exhibit contains black tip sharks that circle the structure’s giant concrete pillars. One of the more creative exhibits is the Jellyfish Labyrinth, with its backlit gallery that makes the jellyfish look like they are pulsating to music. Be sure to check out the cool glass tunnel where you can stop for a selfie with a manta ray. 

There are plans for expansion and additional exhibits, including one with penguins. Don’t skip the already open educational exhibits: Ice Land, Coral Kingdom, Forest of the Kelps, Black Mangrove, Calypso Beach, the Lost Waterfall, Touch Pool and Sea Bed. 

Formerly the winter residence of the Austrian royal family, the Hofburg Imperial Palace is now a lasting tribute to the glory of the Habsburg Empire. It’s one of Vienna’s most magnificent baroque palaces, located within Vienna’s UNESCO-listed historic center. Visitors to the Hofburg can explore the Imperial Apartments, visit the Sisi Museum and the Silver Collection, or watch a performance at the world-famous Spanish Riding School.

Whether you choose to explore Vienna on a walking tour, a bike tour, by Segway, or on a day trip from Prague, almost all Vienna sightseeing tours make a stop at the Imperial Palace. Visit on a hop-on hop-off bus tour and explore the palace on your own, or take a guided tour and benefit from the experience of an expert guide. For a more personalized experience opt for a small-group or private tour, or combine your visit with a romantic horse and carriage ride, a trip to Belvedere Palace, or an excursion to Schönbrunn Palace.

The Hofburg Palace is located in Vienna’s historic center, with its main entrance on the northeastern side of Michaelerplatz, one of city’s most famous squares. The closest metro station is Herrengasse, accessible by the U3 train line. Trams 1, 2, D, and J stop at the nearby Burgring station.

The Imperial Palace is open daily, year-round. It’s at its busiest during the peak summer months of July and August, when it’s best to book tickets in advance to save on wait times. To avoid the crowds, opt to visit in the early morning or out of season.

Learn more about Austria’s beloved Empress Sisi and admire an impressive collection of dresses, personal items, and historic artifacts at the Sisi Museum. Then, follow in the footsteps of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth as you explore the lavish suites and staterooms of the Imperial Apartments. Finally, head over to the Imperial Silver Collection to see artifacts dating back to the 15th century.

One of the most notable monuments in Budapest, the Imre Nagy Monument stands in Martyrs’ Square (Vertanuk tere) on the Pest side of the city. The statue of the former Hungarian prime minister depicts him standing halfway across a sculpted bronze bridge over a small pool of water, which is said to symbolize his role in bringing the nation halfway to freedom. Nagy was tried for treason and executed after the Hungarian Revolution, and became a symbol of freedom during communist times, when his name could not be mentioned. In 1989, a crowd of more than 100,000 gathered in Heroes’ Square in Budapest to celebrate his reburial.

The life size sculpture of Nagy has its back to the nearby Soviet War Memorial and faces toward the Hungarian Parliament Building. In 2011, a statue of Ronald Reagan was added between the War Memorial and the Nagy Monument, creating a straight line of monuments between the American Embassy and the Parliament Building. Discover Budapest's history on a walking tour of the city's communist past.

Images of Singapore is a historical museum and interactive attraction situated on Singapore’s Sentosa Island. It explores the culture and history of Singapore using multimedia screens and displays, theatre performances, and life­-size exhibitions depicting major events throughout the county’s history.

Images of Singapore LIVE is the latest incarnation of the museum. It takes visitors on a journey through the past, from Singapore’s beginnings as a humble fishing village right up to its present­-day existence as a modern, 21st­-century city. An interactive 45-­minute performance incorporates 15 immersive themed areas with live actors, special effects, and even a boat ride.

The exhibitions here are extensive and span a period of around 200 years, covering Singapore’s pre­-British period of Malaysian rule, British colonialism, the founding of colonial Singapore by Thomas Stamford Raffles, the Japanese occupation, and finally its post-colonialist era.

A restaurant and gift shop can be found inside and at the exit of the museum.

Housed in the oldest part of the Imperial Palace in Vienna, the Imperial Treasury is one of the most significant treasuries in the world. The collection shows of the decadence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire through its 1,000 years of treasures, as well as a variety of religiously significant relics. The highlight of the Secular Treasury is the behemoth imperial crown, a gemstone-embellished piece dating back to 962. Other items of note include a 2,680-carat Colombian emerald, one of the world’s largest sapphires, a golden rose, a narwhal’s tusk once mistaken for a unicorn horn and an ornate bowl which some believe to be the holy grail.

The Ecclesiastical Treasury, which often elicits a bit of skepticism in visitors, claims among its relics fragments of Jesus’s cross, a thorn from his crown and a swatch of the tablecloth used at the Last Supper.

Part of the complex of Kunsthistorischen museums at the Hofburg Palace, the Imperial Carriage Museum opened four years after the demise of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was conceived as a home for part of the redundant fleet of 600 vehicles no longer required by the Imperial Family and opened in 1922 in the former Imperial Riding School, presenting the very finest carriages used by the Viennese court, from sedan chairs to ceremonial state coaches. Among the 170 vehicles displayed, highlights include the elaborate black-and-gold embossed coronation landau from 1825 and an ornate, late 19th-century hearse, subtly decorated with painted and carved black flowers. 

However, the stars of the show, indicative by their sheer opulence of the wealth and power of the Habsburg dynasty, are the two gold carriages: the golden carousel made in 1742 for Empress Maria Theresia, and the Imperial Carriage, built for Emperor Joseph II in 1764. It is dripping in gilt and covered in ornate paintings and was so heavy that it could only be pulled by a team of eight horses, and then only at walking pace. Along with the vehicles comes a selection of Imperial saddlery, courtly robes and servants’ livery.

Imbros Gorge is located in the countryside of western Crete. It is one of the most popular gorges for hikers on the island. It's popular for many reasons including its beauty. The hike is also easier than some others in the area, making it a good choice for almost anyone who wants to spend a few hours exploring nature. The trail is about five miles long with a descent of less than 2,000 feet and usually takes two to three hours. There are some spectacular sections along the trail, including some narrow passageways. Along the hike, you will pass several small villages.

The gorge also holds historical significance. In May 1941 during World War II, Allied troops walked through the gorge while trying to escape Crete and get to Egypt. Many people whose parents or grandparents were there visit the gorge today as a kind of pilgrimage.

The Imperial Summer Palace of Mountain Resort is located just north of the city of Chengde and is China's largest imperial garden. The former summer residence of the Qing dynasty’s emperors and royal members, this vast complex took almost a whole century to complete, with constructed taking place between 1703 and 1792. 

The imperial grounds comprise of the emperor's residential buildings, including the reception and entertainment halls, plus the royal gardens, as well a number of striking temples. The various styles of the buildings and landscapes appear to blend in with the surrounding lakes, mountains, and forest, with the complex incorporating classic Chinese architecture, as well as the styles of many other nations, particularly Tibet. 

The site covers a sprawling 5.6 square-kilometers and is surrounded by a ten-kilometer wall. The Imperial Summer Palace of Mountain Resort was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

A small island covering just over 100 acres (42 hectares), Ilot Gabriel is a gem in the crystal clear waters near Grand Bay. Day trippers sail to Ilot Gabriel aboard catamarans from Grand Bay, and after a 90-minute journey, arrive on the unspoiled beaches of the island.

Geckos creep along the greenery lining the beach, and the gentle waters are popular for snorkeling and diving right off the beach. Since the island is part of a protected nature reserve, its natural habitats remain largely untouched. Most excursions to the island also include a BBQ lunch, served al fresco on the beach.

An East Java highlight, the Ijen Crater (Kawah Ijen) towers above the Ijen Plateau. A highly acidic crater lake yields sulfur for local miners, while burning gases emit an eerie blue glow at night. Views of Java’s most perfect volcanoes, including Mount Merapi and Mount Raung, make the summit worth bagging.

 

Visitors usually climb Iljen Crater, set between Banyuwangi and Bondowoso, before dawn to see the celebrated Ijen blue fire ("blueflame"). The straightforward route eliminates the need for guides, although transport is problematic. Tickets for foreigners cost up to 10 times the price of tickets for Indonesian nationals.

 

Ijen tours from Bali typically include a night spent in transit, in order to wake up for the summit climb. Ijen tours coming from within Java may include accommodation near the Ijen Crater or the Ijen Plateau. Unless you have your own wheels, an organized tour to Ijen volcano is generally the easiest option. Some Java tour packages include a Bromo tour, and one or more of Malang, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta.

 

 

You’ll need your own transport, a private driver, or an organized tour to reach Ijen Crater. The nearest town is Banyuwangi, which is also the arrival point for ferries from north Bali’s Gilimanuk port. Coming from East and Central Java, your jump-off point is the town of Bondowoso, on the other side of the Ijen Plateau. Given the complexities, most opt to reach Mount Ijen with a tour package.

 

Climbers typically set out around 4am during the dry season (roughly March to October) and as early as 1am during the rainy season (roughly November to March). Be aware that the crater is occasionally closed due to toxic gases.

 

As you hike the path to Ijen Crater, you’ll meet sulfur miners coming down, heavily laden with yellow slabs of pure sulfur. They do a grueling and dangerous job, condensing sulfur from clouds of poisonous gas, for very, very little money. Consider buying their little carvings as you return from your Ijen Crater tour.

Located smack in the center of Petrópolis—the regal mountain town about an hour north of central Rio de Janeiro—the Imperial Museum offers fascinating insight to the lives of Brazilian royalty. Constructed in the middle of the 19th century as a summer home for Pedro I, the Imperial Museum still has the feel of a royal Brazilian palace. Walk past large, tapestry-adorned walls and through hallways of antique furniture, and let your jaw drop at the collection of crown jewels—where over 600 diamonds and 77 pearls adorn the imperial crown. 

In addition to the well-preserved building itself, there are thousands of artifacts inside the museum that outline the history of Brazil. Some of the documents date back to the days of Portuguese exploration, and there’s even the famous golden quill that was used by Princess Izabel, when she inked her name on the Lei Áurea bill to liberate Brazilian slaves. 

Imjingak Park is located within the demilitarized zone (DMZ) of North Korea and South Korea. The park is dedicated to the 10 million South Koreans who were separated from their families when the peninsula was divided, with various monuments, statues, and other points of interest throughout.

Imjingak Park is located on the banks of the Imjin River and is the furthest point north that South Koreans can freely travel. There’s a three-story observation deck that provides an aerial view of the Imjin River and beyond towards North Korea. The Freedom Bridge, connecting North and South, was where 13,000 POWs were exchanged in the 1950s and is located where the former railroad bridge once stood. 

Mangbaedan Alter is where Koreans separated from their families in the North visit to perform ancestral rites by bowing their heads towards their hometowns on certain days of the year. The park also features a wall of commemorative ribbons, a number of souvenir shops, and a restaurant.

Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfalls system in the world, are truly awe-inspiring to behold, spanning the border between Brazil and Argentina. Though Brazil boasts better views of the falls, Argentina is blessed with about 80 percent of this natural marvel’s 275 separate cascades. Paved trails and catwalks wind their way around the falls—sometimes reaching within an arm’s length of the water—and a free train connects the main trailheads.

The best way to experience the Argentinean side of Iguazu Falls is by hiking the surrounding trails. The Upper Circuit Trail offers outstanding views over Mbigua Falls and the Iguazu River before dropping toward the Bernabe Mendez Falls. The Lower Circuit Trail has more viewpoints, as well as access to activities such as boat trips, white-water rafting, and a free ferry to Isla San Martin. A guided tour will help you find the best trails and can take you deeper into Iguazu National Park, or on ATV tours and hiking excursions in the area.

The park’s entry fee includes unlimited rides on the Jungle Train to different trailheads, as well as ferry service (depending on the water level) to Isla Martin. You can visit the park a second day for half price; be sure to get your ticket stamped after the first day. 

Iguazu National Park is located 10 miles (17 kilometers) from Puerto Iguazu. Buses run from Puerto Iguazu to the park every half hour during park hours. If you're coming from Buenos Aires, take a 90-minute flight or a 24-hour bus ride.

Iguazu Falls is accessible year-round. For the best weather and the smallest crowds, plan to go between July and October or February and April. Morning visits reward with rainbows in the ever-present mist of Devil’s Throat.

Devil’s Throat, whose 14 thundering cascades comprise the tallest and most famous part of Iguazu Falls, is best viewed from the Devil’s Throat Walk, which takes you right up to the brink of the water. If that’s not close enough, you can also take a boat ride that glides right under the falls.

London's Imperial War Museum (IWM London) offers an all-encompassing introduction to Britain's war history, complete with military aircraft hanging overhead, army tanks flanking the central exhibition hall, and a recreated World War I bunker to crawl through. Exhibits spotlight not only military equipment and strategy but also the wartime experiences of soldiers and civilians.

The IWM London is a popular sight for military buffs. With so much to take in throughout the museum's exhibitions, most visitors explore independently, often arriving via hop-on hop-off bus. The Thameside HMS Belfast warship, which lies on the Thames River roughly two miles from the museum, is also part of the IWM, as are the Churchill War Rooms in central London (housed in the former prime minister’s secret WWII bunker).

The Imperial War Museum is located on Lambeth Road in London’s Southwark borough. Take the Tube to Lambeth North station (Bakerloo line), Waterloo station (Bakerloo, Jubilee and Northern lines), or Elephant & Castle station (Bakerloo and Northern lines). Bus routes (3, 12, 53, 59, 148, 159, 344, 360, 453, and C10) also serve the museum. Driving is not advised; not only will you find it difficult to secure parking, but if you visit during the week, you’ll have to pay the London congestion charge.

The museum is open year-round from 10am to 5pm but can get crowded during the peak summer months, when it's best to arrive early and opt for a weekday visit if possible.

Thanks to a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2014, the museum features a revamped WWI section, with exhibits on the Eastern Front and the famous Christmas Truce of 1914, plus a completely redesigned World War II section. Among the many highlights are the popular display on the 1916 Battle of the Somme; the moving Holocaust Exhibition; the Lord Ashcroft Gallery of Extraordinary Heroes, which honors some of Britain's greatest war heroes; and the Secret War exhibit, which focuses on espionage and the covert operations of MI5 and MI6, as well as cyberterrorism.

In September 2016, IMG Worlds of Adventure opened in Dubai as the world’s largest indoor theme park. The 1.5 million square foot space is divided between three themed areas and IMG Boulevard, the park’s welcome zone.

In the Marvel zone, visitors encounter their favorite comic book superheroes, with thrilling attractions like Avengers Battle of Ultron, Hulk Epsilon Base 3D, Spider-Man Doc Ock’s Revenge and Thor Thunder Spinner. The Lost Valley zone brings dinosaurs to life, while the Cartoon Network zone features characters from Adventure Time, The Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10 and The Amazing World of Gumball. IMG Worlds of Adventure also houses a 12-screen cinema screening the latest blockbusters.

Iñaquito Market, located in North Quito between Avenida 10 de Agosto and Rio Amazonas, is one of the city’s most colorful indoor markets and a great place to get a feel for the local pulse of Ecuador’s capital. The market’s stalls are stacked with colorful exotic fruits and vegetables, spices, medicinal ingredients, meats and fish. Ecuador’s climate makes it ideal for growing many types of fruit, and it’s worth a visit to the market if only to sample some of the more unusual varieties, like tree tomatoes, giant green guanábana (soursop), gooseberries, dragon fruit or granadilla (similar to a passion fruit).

Hungry market goers will find an entire “food court” area where the specialty is whole roasted pig, sliced and served with hominy, cheese-stuffed potato pancakes and avocado. Juice stalls will happily blend up exotic fruits purchased in the main market.