Things to Do in Cairns & The Tropical North

Fox Island -- not to be confused with the Fox Islands in the Aleutian Island chain -- is a remote island accessible from Seward by about an hour boat ride. Full of rainforests, beautiful beaches, rugged cliffs, secluded coves and access to the Kenai Fjords National Park, it’s a true Alaskan paradise for those who enjoy scenic landscapes and outdoor recreation.

Kayak through the turquoise waters that surround the island watching for Stellar sea lions, whales, otters, Dall’s porpoise and seabirds. One of the top kayaking routes from Fox Island is the Fox Island Spit, which begins on the north side of the island and takes you to your choice of Humpy Cove, Thumb’s Cove or El Dorado Narrows for beautiful scenery and great wildlife spotting opportunities.

Fishing is another popular Fox Island activity, especially from mid-July through August when the waters are abundant with salmon. Sign up for a fishing trip or cast your reel right from the beach.  And for those who enjoy hiking and camping, Sunny Cove allows for overnight camping and features beach, woodland and rainforest trekking trails. Fox Island is also home to remote beachfront cabins which provide a serene and comfortable Alaskan wilderness experience.

For an ambient experience, opt to take a cruise from Seward to Fox Island. The journey takes you over Resurrection Bay, where you can sip beer and wine while taking in sights like Bear Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park, and wildlife like whales, sea lions, otters and seabirds. When you arrive to Fox Island, get your camera out and take some photos of the scenery before enjoying an all-you-can-eat buffet at a private lodge. Some dishes you may sample include wild Alaska salmon, prime rib, salad and fresh vegetables followed by a decadent dessert. You’ll also have the option to upgrade your meal to include king crab.

Get a glimpse of Tobago’s colonial history at Fort King George. Built by the British during the 1770s, the fort sits high above the capital of Scarborough, it’s cannon still looking down over the city and out to sea. The fort grounds are an easy, free place to take a walk among the historic walls and buildings, and enjoy the wonderful views of the city and the ocean. While there, you can also visit the Tobago Museum, which is found within the guardhouse. Here you can peruse a small collection of Amerindian artifacts—including an real Amerindian skeleton—maps from the 1600s, watercolor paintings by Sir William Young, military equipment and more. 

Standing proud on Piccadilly since 1707, Fortnum & Mason, along with the equally famous Harrods, takes the prize for London’s best-known and most iconic department store. Named after its principal proprietors William Fortnum and Hugh Mason, the central London store is now owned by Wittington Investments Ltd, but its namesakes still grace the iconic rooftop clock – with four-foot high mechanical statues of the men themselves whirring into action as the clock chimes each hour.

Belying its early incarnation as a simple grocery store, Fortnum’s soon earned a reputation for selling the highest quality foods and imported delicacies to London’s high society, even supplying food for a number of Victorian era Royal functions. Today, the variety has expanded but the quality remains top notch, with their luxury Christmas and picnic hampers - a renowned tradition dating back to Victorian times – ranging in price from a very reasonable  £35 to a mind-blowing £25,000.

In the last few decades, Fortnum’s has branched out into a number of alternative areas, selling home wares, perfumes, jewelry and accessories, all with a quintessentially English flavor. The spectacular window displays (particularly atmospheric around Christmas time) feature old-fashioned tearooms decorated with fine china and the central atrium is highlighted by a grand volute staircase and domed roof.

There’s plenty to do besides shopping here too. Visit the award-winning wine bar, sample Viennese cakes and strudels at the decadent ice cream parlor or eat in one of the acclaimed restaurants. You can also opt for traditional English Afternoon Tea in the new Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, where you can pick up some of the famous Fortnum & Mason loose-leaf tea to take away with you.

The history of Founder's Mansion dates back to the early days when the Spanish first occupied Peru. Originally owned by Arequipa’s founder, Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, it was purchased by Spaniard Juan Crisóstomo de Goyeneche y Aguerreverre and used as a country estate for ecclesiastical and civil dignitaries of the era. As the years passed, the building became dilapidated, until 1981 when it was purchased by a group passionate about Arequipa’s heritage. Visitors can still take in 16th-century architecture, and the mansion is predominantly composed of ashlar stone and thick walls with artwork, numerous vaults, antique furniture and colonial-style rooms.

One of the most important sites for Philippine history in Manila, Fort Santiago was built by the Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi as a defensive fortress designed to protect the newly formed city. The fort is a key feature of the famous walled city known as Intramuros — a complex of manicured gardens, fountains, lily ponds, and sunny plazas, as well as the Rizal Shrine museum, located in the building where Dr. Jose Rizal (a Philippines national hero) was incarcerated during the late 19th century.

When Captain Francis Light landed on this spot in 1786 and took the island from the Sultan he built a wooden fort, Fort Cornwallis, to defend it against the French, Kedah and pirates during the Napoleonic Wars.

Rebuilt in 1808 using Indian convict labour it is the largest and most intact fort in Malaysia. Once protected by a great moat this was filled in after a malaria outbreak in the 1920s.

The famous great cannons guarding Fort Cornwallis date back as far as the 17th century.

Rome is full of fountains, but some are more famous than others. The Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona is one of the fountains that, thanks to popular culture and a colorful legend about rival artists, is on many tourist must-see lists.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini is the artist behind the Fountain of the Four Rivers, which depicts four major rivers - the Nile, the Danube, the Rio de la Plata, and the Ganges - each representing a different continent. Sitting atop Bernini’s sculptures is an Egyptian obelisk.

The fountain was built in 1651 and sits at the center of the Piazza Navona, right in front of the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone. The statue representing the Rio de la Plata faces the church, and appears to be cowering away in horror at the design - the church was built by one of Bernini’s rivals. This is a common story, and a fun one, but it can’t be true - the church was built many years after Bernini’s fountain.

The Fountain of the Four Rivers features prominently in Dan Brown’s “Angels & Demons,” which makes it a must-see stop on any “Angels & Demons” tour of Rome.