Things to Do in Cortina D'ampezzo

Home to more than 6,000 animals and 900 species, the Houston Zoo is a popular attraction for locals and visitors to Houston. Located in the beautiful Hermann Park, the 55-acre zoo features many exhibits, animal encounters, shows and ecosystems to explore. Additionally, the attraction is well-staffed, and there is always a knowledgeable worker to answer your questions or direct you.

While the zoo has numerous interesting sites within it, there are a few experiences you shouldn’t miss. First is the Masai giraffe feeding, which can be done daily from 11am to 2pm. Visitors can feed these long-necked creatures crispy lettuce leaves while getting a close-up view. Another not-to-miss attraction is the African Forest exhibit, which will transport you to a different continent as you trek through an African jungle full of chimpanzees, rhinos and antelopes, Masai giraffes, zebra and ostriches. Part of the experience is also authentic drumming and art. The Hoofed Run exhibit also introduces visitors to some of Earth exotic hoofed animals, like the Okapi, Eland, Warthog and Duiker. And of course, no visit to the zoo would be complete without taking in a sea lion show as they cute creates dive, flip and learn how to distinguish from four objects in a mirror’s reflection.

Travel tip: Go early, as parking can be tricky as it gets later in the day.

The Houston Zoo is open daily from 9am to 6pm. Tickets cost $14 for adults, $10 for children 2 through 11, $7.50 for seniors 65 and over and free for children under two. A portion of the proceeds go toward protecting wild animals. From September through May the Houston Zoo offers for admission to guests on the first Tuesday of each month from 2pm to close.

Few landmarks epitomize central London as perfectly as Big Ben, the iconic clock tower that stands at the east end of the Houses of Parliament. Heralding the location of Great Britain's political nucleus in Westminster, Big Ben—or the Elizabeth Tower, renamed in honor of the Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee—stands proud as a symbol of London and the striking centerpiece of the Thames waterfront. The Palace of Westminster, the home of the Houses of Parliament, is another historic monument, as behind the grand Gothic facade, politicians have dictated local laws since 1215, when King John's Magna Carta signified the birth of parliament in the United Kingdom.

The House of Music, or Haus der Musik, rates among the best museums in the city. Spread over four floors, it helps explain sound in an amusing and interactive way, accessible to both children and adults.

The first floor houses special changing exhibitions, as well as the Vienna Philharmonic's historical archives, where a shortened version of the world famous New Year's concert can be heard and you can compose your own waltz with the interactive roll of a die. The second floor's "prenatal listening room" re-creates noises heard by babies in the womb. Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, and Mahler each have a room on the third level, and yet another floor deals with experimental and electronic music. Displays are very interactive.

If you want a break while exploring, head on to the self-catering Café Nicolai on the entrance level. 

Built in 1570, Humayun’s Tomb was the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent, earning it a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The construction of the tomb, ordered by the widow of Mughal emperor Humayun over a decade after his death, marked the beginning of an era of Mughal architecture, a style characterized by symmetry, scale and intricate decoration. This sixteenth century tomb went on to inspire the design of the Taj Mahal more than 100 years later.

The red sandstone and marble structure sits within a symmetrical square garden divided into four parts. The garden, dotted with small pools joined by channels, also contains several other tombs of important figures, including Haji Begum -- the wife who built the tomb and mother of Emperor Akbar -- and Isa Khan Niazi, an Afghan noble.

While it’s possible to visit Humayun’s Tomb on your own, you’ll do yourself a great service by bringing along a guide who can tell you more about the history behind each structure.