Things to Do in Cairns & The Tropical North

Gediminas Castle Tower is practically all that remains of Upper Castle, the medieval complex that was constructed in Vilnius in the early 14th century. The tower was once the reward that followed an arduous climb up Castle Hill through Vilnius Old Town, but these days a funicular makes the journey up to the castle from the courtyard outside the Cathedral and Lower Castle much easier. 

 

Perched at a height of 157 feet (48 m) above the rest of the city, not much of the Upper Castle has survived the civil wars and Russian sieges of Lithuania’s 15th through 17th centuries. After being damaged during the war with Moscow in 1655, the castle lost its strategic importance and was not rebuilt, gradually falling into disrepair. The remaining sturdy and hexagonal Gediminas 

Tower has become a redbrick symbol of peace to the people of Lithuania; it now forms part of the nine-branch National Museum of Lithuania, and inside there is a small exhibition of weapons and armory. Far more popular, however, is the panoramic vista of Vilnius from the landmark’s viewing platform. On a clear day, the Television Tower and the high-rise apartment complexes 

evidencing Soviet occupation can be spotted; the view is just as good at nightfall with the lights of Vilnius Old Town twinkling merrily below.

One of the largest historical centers in Europe, Gdansk’s Old Town will take you back to the Middle Ages. Due to significant damage during World War II, many buildings are reconstructions of their historic counterparts, but a good number of original structures do remain. Almost one third of the streets in the Old Town have had the same names for more than 500 years.

The Old Town doesn’t have a main square; instead, activity centers around the long pedestrian street known as Dlugi Targ, or Long Market. Standing in the middle of Dlugi Targ is the impressive Neptune Fountain, built in 1633. One highlight of any tour around the Old Town include the 14th century Gothic style city hall, which today is home to the Historical Museum of Gdansk. Another must-see is the House of Uphagen, an 18th century town house that offers a glimpse into how the wealthy burghers of that era lived. Also of note are the 12th century Green Gate, the Dlugie Ogrody (Long Gardens), the colorful and cobbled Mariacka Street, St. Mary’s Church and Targ Weglowy (Coal Square).

Garibaldi Pass, located on Tierra del Fuego, is the only paved route across the Fuegian Andes. Surprisingly enough, it’s also the highest point on Argentina’s Ruta Nacional 3. The views from the summit are stunning; to the north, the massive Lago Fagnano stretches 98 km west, across the Magallanes-Fagnano Fault and into Chile, and to the south, the often-missed Lago Escondido reveals its picture-perfect location surrounded by mountains. 

The mountain pass also marks an abrupt transition in Tierra Del Fuego’s Geography. To the north, the island is mostly rolling steppe and sprawling sheep farms are the only things that interrupt the large distances between settlements. Heading south, the road snakes its way through the Fuegian Andes for the final 60km into Ushuaia before descending to the Beagle Channel.

The pass was built in 1956 to connect the island’s two major cities: Rio Grande and Ushuaia and it comes with a touch of interesting history. Three days after the route opened, a USA-licensed Jeep became just the third vehicle to successfully drive between the two cities, completing what at the time was the first successful Alaska-Ushuaia road trip.

Among stiff competition, the elegant Neo-classical crescent of Gatchina Palace is one of St Petersburg’s loveliest palaces, built for Count Gregory Orlov, a favorite (read: lover?) of Catherine the Great, in 1782 by the maestro Antonio Rinaldi, who was responsible for many churches and Imperial palaces around the city. After Orlov’s death, Gatchina was home to four generations of the Romanov Tsars before being requisitioned by the state in 1917. All but destroyed in World War II, the doors of the palace only reopened when refurbishment started in 1985; it is so breathtakingly huge that restoration still goes on today.

Today a visit to this most romantic of palaces encompasses a treasure trove of Romanov riches — what style these guys lived in — in a series of ever-more opulent rooms; the standout collections among the art, coins and armory being the moving black-and-white photographs charting the life of the Romanov family, more than 30,000 rare Russian books and priceless 16th-century Sèvres porcelain.

The palace is surrounded by landscaped gardens that could take all day to explore. They are ornamented by winding pathways through birch trees, bridges hopping across to islands in the lakes, fountains, orangeries, aviaries and a variety of wood and stone follies — including the Priory Palace, which was given to the Romanovs by the Maltese Knights of St John in 1799 — as well as greenhouses nurturing tropical plants and botanical gardens neatly divided into parterres.

Since the 1920 the Gem Museum has been a family-owned and run business offering up some of Sri Lanka’s most prized and beautiful gemstones to locals, travelers, dignitaries and distinguished guests.

Visitors to this spectacularly designed showroom can see flawless diamonds, crystal blue sapphires and other precious stones on display, as well as witness the craftsmanship of on-site professional goldsmiths. An interactive demo educated travelers on the process used to transform raw stones into delicate pieces that are placed in gold or platinum settings. While visitors say this is one of the best place to stock up on stones, those in the know warn it’s essential to know the ins and outs of gems to avoid steep prices for less than precious stones.

One of Vancouver’s oldest and buzziest districts, Gastown is packed with Victorian architecture and cobbled streets. Named after John “Gassy Jack” Deighton, an English mariner who opened a saloon in the area in the 19th century, the district is filled with heritage buildings now hosting boutiques, coffee shops, hip restaurants, and bars.

 

Because of its rich history and attractive architecture, Gastown is a big draw for visitors to Vancouver. The neighborhood is explored on many walking tours, during which guides explain its Wild West origins and point out key sights, such as the 1910-built Dominion Building, Vancouver’s first high-rise, and the Gassy Jack Statue.

 

The district’s historic buildings and neon signs make it a go-to on photography tours of Vancouver, while its thriving restaurant scene ensures its inclusion on many food tours. Gastown’s long and checkered history also makes it a common stomping ground for ghost tour groups and guides focusing on Vancouver’s illicit prohibition-era past. Many walking tours cover ground in both Gastown and neighboring Chinatown.

 

 

Gastown is located on the northeast edge of Downtown Vancouver, just southeast of Canada Place. The nearest transit station is Waterfront, which is served by the SkyTrain (Expo and Canada lines), the SeaBus passenger ferry, and the West Coast Express commuter rail service. Or, arrive as part of a tour that includes transportation.

 

Gastown is a busy downtown district and is most crowded in the evenings and on weekends. If you want to experience Gastown at its calmest, try coming midmorning midweek or in early morning on the weekend. One of the best times to visit is at night, when the district’s many craft beer bars and cocktail dens come alive.

 

Gastown’s must-see sights are historic in nature. At Water Street, see Byrnes Block, a former luxury hotel. One of Vancouver’s oldest brick building, it was constructed in the late 19th century shortly after the 1886 Great Fire destroyed much of the city. At the corner of Water and Powell streets is another former hotel, the 6-story flatiron-style Hotel Europe. Also on Water Street is Gastown’s frequently photographed steam clock, which chimes every 15 minutes.

Originally built in 1395 by the first Joseon king, Gwanghwamun is the main gate to Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the five Joseon Dynasty palaces. After being destroyed twice by fire and war, the gate that stands today was rebuilt in 1968 using concrete and steel instead of the original granite.

 

As one of Seoul’s most prominent landmarks, Gwanghwamun Gate is featured on most sightseeing tours of the city, along with Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Blue House, Insadong, Bukchon Hanok Village, Myeongdong, and Jogyesa Temple. Korean and foreign visitors alike come to Gwanghwamun Square to see the gate with Inwangsan Mountain in the backdrop, as well as the imposing statue of King Sejong the Great, inventor of the Hangul alphabet, seated on his throne.

 

 

The gate’s central location in the heart of Seoul makes it easy to reach via public transportation. The most convenient way to get there is to take the metro to City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2), Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), or Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5). Several public buses also stop nearby.

 

Plan your visit to Gwanghwamun to coincide with the changing of the guard, a ceremony that occurs hourly from midmorning until mid-afternoon. If you’re visiting during the summer, plan to visit early in the day to avoid the heat.

 

For many Koreans, Gwanghwamun represents a tragic chapter in Korean history. In 1926, during the Japanese occupation of South Korea, the gate was destroyed to make way for a Japanese government building. The gate was rebuilt in a different location in 1968, then moved to its original spot as part of a $24 million renovation in 2006.

Bascarsija is the medieval Oriental bazaar lying at the heart of Sarajevo’s Stari Grad (Old Town), where mosques and hammams (baths) date right back to 1462. The most important and grandest of Bascarsija’s mosques is Gazi Husrev-beg, named after a Turkish governor of Bosnia and built in 1530 in Ottoman style by the Persian architect Adžem Esir Ali. Originally a complex of prayer halls, madrasa (Koranic school), medieval soup kitchen for the Muslim poor, wash room and library, the mosque was badly damaged during the Balkan wars of the 1990s but has been extensively reconstructed; today its distinctive dome once more forms the heart of Bascarsija and its spiky minaret is a landmark visible all over Sarajevo. 

The ornate entrance to the mosque is surrounded by marble and decorated with gilding; inside its gleaming white walls are adorned with Arabic inscriptions, the ceilings hung with golden chandeliers and the floors covered in handmade carpets gifted by Muslim visitors from overseas. The mosque’s peaceful courtyard is dominated by an elaborate wrought-iron fountain – once used for ritual washing – and is the resting place of many pre-eminent Bosnians, including the 19th-century poet Safvet Bey Bašagić and the leading politician of the 1930s, Dr Mehmed Spaho.

The century-old Gellért Thermal Bath and Spa is one of Budapest’s largest and most luxurious spa complexes. Housed in a magnificent art nouveau building, it boasts a grand colonnaded indoor pool, multiple thermal baths, saunas, steam rooms, a rooftop wave pool, and a panoramic sun terrace.

 

Spa tickets offer full-day access to all of the spa facilities, with optional massages and treatments available. For a hassle-free experience, book tickets in advance to benefit from fast-track entry or an optional tour package that includes hotel pickup and drop-off. Another popular choice is to combine a spa day with a romantic dinner cruise along the Danube River. Guided tours of the baths are also available, allowing non-bathers to admire the historic architecture.

 

 

Gellért Thermal Bath and Spa is located on the Buda side, close to the Danube riverfront at the foot of Gellert Hill. The closest metro station is Szent Gellért tér on Line 4.

 

The baths are open daily all year, and the thermal waters make swimming in the outdoor pools possible even during the winter months. The baths can get busy, especially during the peak summer season, so opt for a weekday visit to avoid the crowds and get there early to enjoy the baths before the mid-afternoon rush.

 

Rising 460 feet (140 meters) over the western flank of the River Danube, Gellért Hill stands above the complex of underground caves and hot springs that feed Budapest’s spa baths. Formed in karstic limestone, the springs provide 18.5 million gallons (70 million liters) of hot, mineral-rich water—with temperatures ranging between 70°F (21°C) and 168°F (76°C)—each day to power the seven major spa complexes in the city. The waters at Gellért Spa are believed to be especially effective in aiding joint pain and bronchial complaints.

Perched atop the dramatic cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples and just a short stroll from Capri’s central Piazzetta square, the lush Gardens of Augustus are a quiet oasis offering mesmerizing views of the tiny cove of Marina Piccola and the soaring Faraglioni sea stacks just off shore.

 

Laid out by Friedrich August Krupp in the early 20th century, these exquisite botanical gardens are a tribute to Capri’s native flora, with flower-lined footpaths, lawns, and monumental fountains; and terraced gardens bursting with vibrant geraniums and dahlias. Perhaps the most impressive feature of the park is its striking location directly above Via Krupp, a paved switchback footpath that snakes down the cliff side to the water’s edge below. The path has been closed due to rock slides, but the view of its zigzagging path from above is unforgettable.

 

The Gardens of Augustus is one of the most beloved attractions on the island of Capri, and a highlight of any tour, day trip, or shore excursion to the island from Rome, Naples, or Sorrento. Most boat tours or day cruises to the island include free time on land to explore sights like the gardens and the Charterhouse of San Giacomo, along with a sail around Capri’s coast and a stop to visit the Blue Grotto.

 

 

The Gardens of Augustus are adjacent the Charterhouse of San Giacomo in the center of Capri town. From the main Piazzetta square, follow Via Vittorio Emanuele to Via Federico Serena, and then take Via Matteotti to the garden entrance.

 

The gardens are lovely when there are few visitors, so time your visit either in the early morning or late afternoon.

 

The Gardens of Augustus overlook one of the most remarkable feats of engineering on the island of Capri: the paved pedestrian footpath that follows a series of switchbacks steeply down the mountainside from the gardens to sea level below. Commissioned by the German steel magnate Friedrich Alfred Krupp at the beginning of the 20th century to provide a route to reach his private yacht moored below, this magnificently scenic route clinging to the cliffside has been closed for the past few years due to falling rocks.

One of Mumbai's most recognizable attractions, the triple-arched Gateway of India was built during the early 20th century in honor of the 1911 visit of King George V. Built of basalt and concrete, this monument was designed in the Indo-Saracenic style, which blends traditional Indian, Victorian, and Mughal architectural elements.

 

Standing 25 meters (83 feet) high, the Gateway of India is among the city's most popular attractions, and many sightseeing tours start here. It has strong associations with British power, and became part of a ceremony marking the end of colonial rule in 1948, when soldiers from the Somerset Light Infantry crossed through the Gateway. Today visitors and locals alike flock here to stroll and take in the scenery, particularly around sunset.

 

 

The Gateway of India is located in South Mumbai, just under 10 minutes’ drive south of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the city's southernmost railway station. It's easily accessible by road or on foot if you're already hanging out in the Colaba area, and ferries to and from Elephanta Island stop there. The Mumbai Airport is about an hour away by car.

 

The Gateway of India is a year-round destination, though Mumbai is best avoided during July and August, when heavy monsoon downpours can make the city challenging to navigate. Though it’s a good spot to people-watch during the day, the Gateway of India is most interesting around dusk, when families come out to take an evening stroll, and to buy kulfi (an Indian type of ice cream) and other snacks from street vendors.

 

Right in front of the Gateway of India stands Wellington Pier (formerly known as Apollo Bunder). It was once one of the most important points of entry into Mumbai, particularly during the Victorian era, though these days it is rarely used except for boats heading out to Elephanta Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is known for its rock-hewn cave temples.

Garosu-gil, meaning “tree-lined street” in Korean, is a 700-meter-long street in the trendy Gangnam neighborhood of Seoul. Just like the name suggests, the street is lined with gingko trees, whose leaves offer shade in the summer and make for a colorful display in fall. Whether you are shopping for haute couture and international brands or hunting for unique pieces by local independent designers, the artfully built and landscaped fashion promenade is the place to be for fashionistas and up-and-coming artists. Shoppers are drawn into the chic stores with elaborately designed storefronts, many of which are an attraction of their own. 

Seoul is a mecca for coffee lovers and along Garosu-gil, there are lots of little bakeries, coffee shops and bistros that serve beautifully arranged meals and drinks. One of them is the enchanting Café Oui, which is renowned the cozy interior and the cool coffee art they create. Another is the famous Garosu Mansion Café. Run by four interior designers, the place doesn’t only fascinate with vintage furniture but also with delicious homemade cookies. Apart from the many cafés and stores, Garosu-gil is also known for hosting lots of fusion restaurants where Asian meets European cuisine as well as a selection of art galleries, studios and ateliers.

Gazi has reinvented itself in recent years as one of Athens’ coolest nightlife and entertainment districts, and the lively neighborhood makes a worthy addition to any tourist itinerary.

Once Athens’ main industrial area, Gazi’s makeover was kick started when the old gasworks was transformed into the Technopolis cultural center. The center remains the epicenter of Gazi, hosting concerts, art exhibitions and a museum, while the surrounding neighborhood is now crammed with bars, restaurants, live music venues and nightclubs.

Gazi is easy to explore on foot, with the majority of venues clustered around the Technopolis, and the surrounding streets of Iakou, Persephonis, Dekeleon and Voutadon. Bar hopping tours are also a great way to discover the area’s nightlife and get the inside scoop on the hippest bars and clubs.

The city of Santo Domingo is one of Dominican Republic’s most diverse and colorful urban destinations. The upper-middle class sector known as Gazcue is no exception. One of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, travelers will find stunning Spanish-colonial architecture, tiled walkways, local restaurants and unique shops in this out-of-the-way part of town. 

Once an enclave for the rich and elite, Gazcue has shifted over the years to become a haven for upper-middle class and working class Dominicans. Visitors can still find the old historic homes and stately houses that once defined this borough on a walk through the streets of Gazcue. A stroll through the European-style buildings showcases offers up some of the best scenery outside of the country’s epic beaches and the laid-back vibe offers a stark contrast to the electric energy found in the rest of Santo Domingo.

Vilnius’ main boulevard stretches from the River Neris in the west to the sweeping expanse of Cathedral Square in the southeast, and is named after the country’s greatest hero, the legendary Grand Duke Gediminas, who is credited with founding the fledgling country of Lithuania in the 13th century. Built in 1836 as Vilnius expanded with the arrival of the railway line from St Petersburg, Gediminas Avenue was originally named Georgij Avenue and has been renamed several times according to the regime in power. The wide avenue is lined with trees and glamorous Baroque townhouses in pastel colors; these house many government ministries and courthouses as well as banks, the national library and several leading Lithuanian theaters. By day a popular shopping and meeting place, Gediminas Avenue comes into its own at night when it morphs into one of Vilnius’ most upmarket dining spots. 

As the street bisects Vilnius city center, landmarks along Gediminas Avenue include Seimas Palace, built in 2007 in modernist style as befits the seat of the new, independent Lithuanian Parliament. The 17th-century Lukiškės Square borders the avenue to the north; now a tranquil green lung of the city, it was the site of public hangings in the 19th century and during World War II, dissidents were executed here by Soviet troops. 

Vilnius’s medieval defensive walls originally had nine entry gates, all built in the early 16th century; as was custom then, each was decorated with a portrait of the Virgin Mary to ensure the protection of the city. Today only remnants of these walls still stand after the Russian attacks of 1799, and the whitewashed Gate of Dawn, completed in 1522 with an ornate pediment, is the last remaining of the original fortified city entrances. 

Around 1630, Carmelite monks from a nearby monastery replaced the original image on the Gate of Dawn with a new icon named the ‘Vilnius Madonna’, painted on oak boards and widely believed in both Catholic and Orthodox faiths to have mystical healing powers. The Renaissance-style, pastel-blue-and-white Chapel of Our Lady of the Dawn was grafted on to the southern side of Gate of Dawn around 1706 to house the painting, which became one of Lithuania’s most revered icons. 

Today it is encrusted in gold and silver and its pretty little chapel is adorned with silver votives donated by pilgrims. Masses are held in both Polish and Lithuanian and on holy days the streets around the chapel are brought to a standstill as worshippers flock to pray in front of the icon.

John Gayer-Anderson, a British major and army doctor, received special permission from the Egyptian authorities to reside in a pari of sixteenth century houses adjacent to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo. From 1935 to 1942, Gayer-Anderson restored the buildings and populated them with a collection of art and antiques from around Egypt, the Arabian peninsula and Central Asia.

Upon his death in 1945, Gayer-Anderson donated the space to Egypt, and it has since been transformed into the Gayer-Anderson Museum. A mosaic fountain set into a marble floor greets visitors in the museum’s reception area. Each of the maze of rooms has a theme — a silver tea set and lacquered furniture are on display in the Queen Anne Room, while the Persian Room features beautifully intricate tile work.

Travelers with an appreciation for pop culture trivia will recognize the Gayer-Anderson Museum as a filming location for the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.