Things to Do in Anaheim & Buena Park

The Indigenous Eyes (Ojos Indígenas) Ecological Park and Reserve is designed to protect the natural habitats of the Dominican Republic’s plants and animals. Formerly called the Punta Cana Ecological Reserve, it was renamed for the 12 freshwater lagoons found here, which the native Taino people called eyes because of their distinctive shape.

Popular for its beautiful lagoons (five of which are swimmable) and surroundings, the protected 1,500-acre (600-hectare) Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park lies in the south end of Punta Cana. You can walk through the forest paths to a quiet beach, or jump in and cool off in the swimming holes. Thanks to the clear, deep turquoise waters, taking photos here is another popular activity. While you can visit independently (there are also guided walking tours available), many people come as part of a half- or full-day guided tour that may also include a catamaran cruise or off-road adventure.

The Ojos Indígenas reserve is located in Punta Cana close to the Cap Cana Marina. It is easily accessible by car and as part of a guided tour.

The reserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Afternoons are the busiest time, so plan to visit early in the morning for a quieter experience. High season in the Dominican Republic is from December to March, while rain and high winds are possible from June to November. 

With room for 150 boats, Cap Cana Marina is a fun spot to visit on a trip to Punta Cana. You can marvel at the yachts, stroll along the quayside, and enjoy a drink, lunch, or dinner at one of the restaurants inside this upscale resort community. 

Colombo’s Independence Square is a top attraction for travelers looking for a taste of local life. That’s because this picturesque square is a gathering place for residents and visitors alike. With plenty of green, open space, historical buildings and quiet cafes, Independence Square is the ideal spot to spend a relaxing evening in Colombo. 

Visitors can wander the newly added Arcade, which showcases some of the city’s best local handicrafts and designer goods, or take an up-close look at the monument dedicated to the very first prime minister. Visitors to Independence Square will find locals taking a stroll, jogging on pristine paths or riding bikes over well-paved roads most any time of day.

India Gate is a 138-foot (42-meter) war memorial in the heart of New Delhi, reminiscent of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe. Built in 1931 and designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, designer of most of New Delhi, it’s a must-visit photo stop on a Delhi tour.

 

The India Gate was built to commemorate Indian members of the British Indian Army killed during World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. In the 1970s, the eternal flame (Amar Jawan Jyoti) was added to remember Indians who died in the Indo-Pakistan War. Around 13,000 soldiers’ names are inscribed on the gate.

 

The gate is popular among both local and international visitors. Usually visited on half- and full-day sightseeing tours of Delhi, it’s a particularly attractive place to take photos. It doesn’t take long to see the gate itself, so a visit here is best combined with a fuller sightseeing trip that may also call on the Red Fort, Lotus Temple, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, and other sites.

 

 

India Gate is located on Rajpath in New Delhi, in a part of the city that’s mainly administrative. It’s not a great place to walk around due to the fast traffic and large distances between points of interest. The nearest metro stations are Khan Market and Udyog Bhawan, where you can hire auto-rickshaws to India Gate.

 

You can tour India Gate at any time, but at night, when it is lit up, is a particularly attractive time to visit. If you’re booking a private sightseeing tour, request to see India Gate after dark. During India Republic Day (January 26), the streets around it get very busy with crowds and military parades.

 

Lutyens designed much of New Delhi in the 1920s–1940s and gave the capital’s administrative areas their character. Touring the parts of Delhi designed by Lutyens is a good way to learn about the colonial history and architecture of the city. Also visit Connaught Place and Rashtrapati Bhawan. Private tour packages can be designed around the theme of Lutyens’ Delhi.

Who would’ve thought an invisible line would be so hard to find? As the very name of the country describes, the Earth’s Equator bisects Ecuador into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres—although pinpointing the exact location of that line has been an ongoing challenge. For hundreds of years, it was believed the Equator bisected Ecuador at the Mitad del Mundo monument, but new data has revealed the site is off by a few hundred meters. The nearby Intinan Museum, it’s said, is the site of the real Equator, although GPS info seems to point out that neither spot is correct. Either way, regardless of the Equator’s exact location, this small museum north of Quito is still a fascinating stop. Try to balance an egg on a nail or watch water spin opposite ways, and while some of the exhibits might be staged, the concepts behind the gravity and physics are curiously entertaining. In addition to exhibits about the Equator, the Intinan Museum also offers a look at Ecuador’s culture—from the biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands to Amazonian tribes. There’s even the chance to take a photo with an ancient shrunken head, and while the somewhat kitschy Equator tricks are admittedly fun to see, it’s the authentic looks at Ecuadorian culture that defines this Quito museum.

The glittering blue waters of Inle Lake lie at the heart of the Shan Highlands, surrounded by verdant hills. Myanmar’s second-largest lake is a popular destination for intrepid travelers, who come to cruise the lake, soak up the scenery, and experience local life in the lakeside fishing villages.

Visitors can explore Inle Lake on a half- or full-day cruise, a bike tour, or a day trip from Nyaungshwe. Lake cruises often stop at monuments such as Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, or Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, and offer the chance to see birds and other wildlife. Equally fascinating is the chance to learn about the Intha people who inhabit lakeside bamboo stilt houses connected by bridges and boats.

Inle Lake is located in central Myanmar, a fair distance from all the main cities. Buses run from Yangon (13 hours) or Mandalay (seven hours), but a more convenient option is to take a domestic flight to Heho airport, about an hour away. Taxis are available at the airport.

Most visitors arrive between October and February in order to avoid monsoon season. For the lushest scenery, visit in October or November, when water levels are still high, and consider timing your visit to coincide with the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival (October), when colorful parades of boats float along the lake.

Watch for Inle’s local fishermen, the “leg rowers.” They stand on one leg on the back of their skiffs, pinch the rudder with the other leg, and hold it with one arm. The other arm is used to swirl the water around with paddles, forcing fish to emerge from the plant growth and swim into waiting baskets and nets.

A 60-foot (20-meter) tall Angkor-style monument built in 1958, the Independence Monument was constructed to commemorate the Cambodians winning back their independence from the French in 1953. Renowned Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann designed the monument; the architecture is patterned after a lotus flower and adorned with five levels of Naga heads, which gives it a very distinctive look. Located in the heart of busy Phnom Penh, the Independence Monument attracts many visitors, not only for its unique architecture, but also for its location: it’s in the middle of a busy intersection and the eastern side features a large, open park that is a popular spot for locals to gather and jog or practice tai chi and aerobics. 

More than just a monument commemorating Cambodia’s independence, it also serves as a memorial to Cambodia’s war casualties and is a symbol of the end of Cambodia’s war. In remembrance, families place large wreaths at the foot of the monument for war veterans. At night, the monument is illuminated by red, blue and white floodlights, the colors of the Cambodian flag. It’s also the site of celebrations and services on holidays such as Independence (January 7) and Constitution Day (September 24). 

This movie studio-themed amusement park — a popular family outing in the area — offers quite the variety of activities. What the park is lacking in traditional theme park rides, it makes up for in variety; there’s a cartoon-themed area populated by giant versions of popular Indian animated characters, water park, mini golf course, Dino Park with life-sized replicas, petting zoo, mirror maze, haunted house and even a traditional “talkies” movie house.

Four small museums display fossils, wax figures, Indian tribal art and general oddities, and the popular Bigg Boss Tour takes visitors behind-the-scenes of India’s famous reality television show. For an extra fee, visitors can try go karting, dirt biking, zip lining, mechanical bull riding or even cricket playing.

As the cultural and political focus of life in Ukraine, Independence Square stands on the northern flank of Khreschatyk, Kiev’s major thoroughfare, and its appearance has changed with the fortunes of the country. Today it is lined with an impressive array of grandiose villas dating mostly from the 19th century, which were built when the city was one of the most important in Russia and now house – among others – the Central Post Office and the Trade Union Association. It is the venue for all the city’s major parades and public celebrations but was scene of civil unrest in 2004 as the focus of Ukraine’s Orange Revolution, and again in 2014.  

Among the fountains, the 61-m (200-ft) white-marble Independence Monument looms over the middle of the square and celebrates Ukraine’s breaking away from the Soviet Union in 1991; it was designed by Ukrainian architect Anatoliy Kushch and placed in the piazza on the 10th anniversary of independence. The slender column is topped with a bronze sculpture of Archangel Michael, who is the patron of the city; it looks spectacular when floodlit at night. Below ground is the subterranean Globus Shopping Mall – lit by the glass domes that dot the square – and a metro station; the area is surrounded by hotels, restaurants, pavement cafés and late-night bars, making it one of the most popular meeting places in the city.

Claiming the largest collection of international espionage artifacts on public display, the International Spy Museum in Washington DC provides an engaging experience that showcases high-tech gadgetry, notorious spy cases, secret methods, and the sometimes not-so-pleasant consequences of being an international person of mystery. The special “Exquisitely Evil: 50 Years of Bond Villains” exhibit is a must-see for any fan of the Bond films.

All visitors to the International Spy Museum are invited to play the role of a secret agent by adopting a “cover” at the start of their visit. After viewing a short video introducing the secret history of espionage, travelers work to identify disguises, listen to bugs, and spot hidden cameras as they learn the ins and outs of being a spy. Visit the museum as a stop on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour, or combine the bus tour with an attractions pass that includes admission to the museum.

Located in Penn Quarter, the International Spy Museum is within easy walking distance from many downtown DC hotels, the nearby J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building, and the National Archives. It is also a block from the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro station.

The International Spy Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm and is especially popular on weekends and holidays; plan accordingly. To avoid crowds, try to arrive when the museum opens or later in the afternoon. The last tickets are sold an hour before closing time.

The International Spy Museum offers two add-on experiences for visitors interested in diving deeper into the world of international espionage. Operation Spy is an hourlong, immersive experience in which you play the role of a special agent on a mission. In Spy in the City, participants embark on a scavenger hunt in the neighborhood surrounding the museum. Armed with a GPS unit, you’ll decipher clues, codes, and audio intercepts while uncovering the history, mystery, and landmarks of the area.

Independence Plaza (also known as the Plaza de la Independencia) is one of the most popular and busiest squares in Madrid and one of the most important symbols of the city. Opened in 1778 during the reign of King Carlos III, the plaza is found at the intersection of several major streets: Calle de Alcala, Calle de Alfonso XII, Calle de Serrano, Calle de Salustiano Olozaga and Paseo de Mexico. Standing at the center of the square is the Puerta de Alcala, a neo-Classical monument built in the 18th century. The huge monument consisting of several arches replaced a smaller city gate from the 16th century and functioned as the main entrance to the city. 

Designed by architect Francesco Sabatini, the current shape of the square dated back to 1869 and it is surrounded by buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 2001, several gardens were added to the square and lights were added to the Puerta de Alcala, all in honor of Madrid being named the World Book Capital. In 2010, nearly 100,000 people packed the square for the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Whether you want to admire traditional Peruvian handicrafts or enjoy some last-minute souvenir shopping, the Indian Market (Mercado Indio) is one of the best places to shop in Lima. Located at the heart of the Miraflores District, the market has dozens of stalls selling quality handmade arts and crafts.

 

Choose to browse the stalls of the Indian Market independently or opt for a private tour and combine souvenir shopping with a walking tour of Lima’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Exploring the market with a guide means you’ll gain insight into Peruvian culture and traditions while ensuring that you get the best prices and highest-quality goods.

 

The Indian Market is located on Avenida Petit Thouars at the northern end of Miraflores. Buses from central Lima stop on Av. Arequipa, just a short walk from the market.

 

The market is open daily but to avoid the crowds, visit on a weekday morning.

 

Popular souvenirs include brightly colored clothing, shawls, and rugs made out of alpaca wool; hand-carved wooden artifacts; solid silver jewelry; hand-painted ceramics; musical instruments; and paintings. Artists and craftsmen themselves run many of the stalls, and they are often happy to demonstrate their talents or explain how the items are crafted.

For many travelers to Machu Picchu, hiking the Inca Trail through the Sacred Valley is as much a part of the bucket list experience as seeing the ruins themselves. It typically takes four days to cover the distance between Cusco and Aguas Calientes, with overnights at Huayllabamba, Pacamayo, and Huinay Huayna on the way. Shorter one- or two-day treks are also possible for more inexperienced walkers. To walk the trail, you need to join a group of fellow hikers led by a licensed guide. Trail permits are limited, with only 500 hikers permitted on the trail at any given time (including tour guides and porters), so you'll need to book ahead.

The city of Cusco serves as a base for trekkers heading out on the Inca Trail and is serviced by Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport. Most tours include pickup from Cusco hotels and the bus ride to Km82 along the railway between Cusco and Aguas Calientes, where the hike begins.

The dry season (June to October) brings the best weather and the biggest crowds to the Inca Trail; if you plan to hike during this time, be sure to book months in advance. The spring and fall shoulder seasons—May in particular—see fewer tourists and occasional rain. The winter months are prohibitively wet for most trekkers, and the trail closes for maintenance during February.

With the growing popularity of the Inca Trail (and the permit limits placed on it), visitors are considering alternative treks to Machu Picchu. These include the Lares trek, beginning in the town of Lares and finishing at the ruins of Ollantaytambo (a short train ride from Machu Picchu), and the Salkantay route, famous for its diverse scenery.

Insadong is Seoul’s cultural and artistic hub—the place to shop for local crafts, visit a traditional Korean tea shop, or catch an impromptu street performance. The neighborhood, located in the Jongno-gu district, offers one of the largest antiques and craft markets in the country, with many shops and cafés housed in historic buildings.

 

Insadong is one of the Korean capital’s most popular neighborhoods. Locals and foreign visitors alike come here for its shopping, art scene, and traditional Korean teahouses. Most sightseeing tours of Seoul make a stop in this neighborhood, along with nearby Changdeokgung Palace. Insadong is also one of 22 stops on the Seoul hop-on hop-off bus.

 

 

Insadong is centrally located and easy to reach by taking one of several public bus lines, or by riding the metro to Anguk Station (Line 3) or Jonggak Station (Line 1).

 

Insadong comes alive on the weekends, when the main street is blocked off to vehicle traffic and the pedestrian area fills with vendors, fortune tellers, and buskers making the most of the weekend crowds. Many of Insadong’s shops and galleries are closed Monday.

 

The markets and shops of Insadong are some of the best places in the city to pick up gifts and souvenirs to take back home. Favorites include traditional Korean masks, decorated chopstick sets, calligraphy scrolls, handmade paper and stationary, or personalized stamps with your name in Korean letters.

From boldly patterned, knitted ponchos to bright, intricately woven textiles or chullo hats made from baby-soft alpaca wool; few visitors leave Peru without buying some of the country’s colorful handicrafts. The Andean region in particular is world-renowned for its dazzling textiles, incorporating unique indigenous designs with traditional weaving techniques and locally sourced materials like sheep, alpaca and llama wool. It’s possible to buy the products all around Peru, but for those looking to learn more about the region’s rich craftmaking heritage, the Interpretation Center of Andean Textiles in Cusco is a must. 

As well as admiring the elaborate designs and purchasing handcrafted clothing and gifts, visitors to the Interpretation Center of Andean Textiles can learn the origins and traditions of the age-old weaving techniques, used by local craftsmen for more than 2,000 years. Demonstrations of the wool preparation, dying and weaving techniques by skilled local weavers offers a unique insight into how the complex designs are created and the ladies are happy to share their inspirations behind the various patterns and color combinations, explaining how each Andean village has developed their own distinctive designs. 

Set in Grasse, the International Perfume Museum extensively covers the famous French perfume industry, highlighting its significance through the ages. Exhibitions retrace the history of perfumes, soap and cosmetics over the course of thousands of years. Split into various sections, the museum covers the history of the industry, manufacturing and marketing.

This large computerized musical fountain, named after India’ s only female Prime Minister, is the first of its kind in India. It has been delighting visitors with water synchronized to dance rhythmically with music since its construction in 1975.

With a hydraulic pumping system that controls three distinct levels and recycles the water, the fountains produce a show of color, light, and sound that is a unique visual experience. There is a seating capacity of around 900 people, with an average of 500 visiting on weekends. Laser lights and a wide screen with additional visuals provide a multimedia backdrop to the water formations.

With over 1,000 different nozzles, the fountain can make 15 different formations and 27 different rhythmic combinations — so its unlikely you’ll see the same show twice. There is also a garden and a small park for children to play beside the fountain area.