Choose from 812 Fun Things to Do in Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand
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Le Caveau de la Huchette
Transformed from a medieval cellar into an atmospheric music venue, Le Caveau de la Huchette opened its doors in 1946, and quickly became a mainstay of the city's post-WWII jazz scene, hosting some of the world's greatest jazz musicians over the years. Jean-Paul Amouroux, Wild Bill Davis, Sidney Bechet, Lionel Hampton, Memphis Slim, Duffy Jackson, Nancy Holloway and Marcel Azzola have all taken to the stage at Le Caveau de la Huchette, among countless others.
Today, Paris' oldest jazz club remains at the epicenter of the capital's still-thriving jazz scene, and it's renowned for its electric live shows, which draw an equal measure of locals and tourists, and are held almost every night of the week.
Practical Info
Le Caveau de la Huchette is located on rue de la Huchette in Paris' Latin Quarter and is open Sun-Wed 9:30pm-2:30am, and Thu-Sat 9:30pm-4am. Entrance fees start from €13.
Address: 5 Rue de la Huchette, Paris, France
Hours: Open Sun-Wed 9.30pm-2.30am
Admission: Entrance fees start from €13
From $ 208
Hard Rock Cafe Paris
A rock music temple if there ever was one, the Hard Rock brand doesn't require an introduction; not with 170 establishments worldwide! Both a restaurant, a bar and a museum, this peculiar Paris attraction has been drawing in rock music aficionados for over two decades now, thanks to an impressive collection of authentic memorabilia and mouth-watering American-themed menu (something seldom found in grands chefs-driven Paris). Loud rock music, a relaxed atmosphere, original cocktails and humongous quantities of food await at Paris' most American institution.
Golden records, guitars, costumes and other iconic memorabilia can be found at the restaurant's two-floor museum. Some of the most popular items include Jimmy Hendrix's paisley jacket, Whitney Houston's gown, AC/DC's Angus Young's iconic school boy costume, John Lennons's fox coat, Trent Reznor's broken Gibson Les Paul guitar, Eminem's overalls, to name a few. The brand's most loyal fans will certainly want to stop at the restaurant's gift shop, where they will be able to extend their pin collection (a popular tradition for Hard Rock fans is to get a guitar-shaped pin every time they visit a new location) with one from Paris.
Practical Info
Hard Rock Cafe Paris is located at 14, boulevard Montmartre in the 9th arrondissement, within walking distance from Richelieu-Drouot and Grands Boulevards metro stations and close to Opera Garnier and Musee Grevin. The restaurant is open from 11:45AM to 11:45PM, while the bar is open from 11:45AM to 1AM and the rock shop, from 9AM to 1AM.
Address: 14 Boulevard Montmartre, Paris, France
From $ 28
Montmartre Cemetery
Also known as the Cimitière du Nord, the Montmartre Cemetery is the third largest in Paris, after Père Lachaise and Montparnasse Cemetery. Opened in 1825, the necropolis contains some 20,000 graves, including those of author Émile Zola, painter Edgar Degas, and composer Hector Berlioz. It's a calm and evocative place for a stroll.
The Basics
On the site of an abandoned quarry, Montmartre Cemetery is one of the largest and most significant graveyards in Paris. Located below street level, and partially shadowed by the Pont Caulaincourt (a 19th-century bridge), the landmark has a tranquil and tucked-away ambiance. Known as the final resting place of numerous cultural figures, such as author Alexandre Dumas and filmmaker François Truffaut, the cemetery can be explored independently or on a walking tour of Montmartre.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The cemetery is free for all visitors to explore.
- Montmartre Cemetery has steep slopes and uneven pavements, making it difficult to explore for those with mobility issues.
- In addition to many creative luminaries, the Montmartre Cemetery is also home to a community of local cats.
How to Get There
To reach the Montmartre Cemetery, take Metro Line 2 or 13 to Place de Clichy, or take Line 13 to La Fourche. The landmark can also be reached via bus Nos. 30, 31, 54, 56, 80, 85, and 95, as well as the Montmartrobus (a special bus that makes it easier to navigate this famously hilly neighborhood). Alternatively, travel by car or taxi, by Velib' bike, or on foot.
When to Get There
The Montmartre Cemetery is open daily year-round, except in cases of severe inclement weather. The landmark is famously shaded by hundreds of trees, so it's especially appealing to explore on sunny spring and summer days.
Additional Montmartre Highlights
Once you've braved the heights of hilly Montmartre, it's worth combining your cemetery visit with stops at other local landmarks. Continue to Sacre-Coeur Basilica for some of the best views overlooking Paris, explore the Musee de la Vie Romantique to learn more about the area's artistic heritage, and stroll past the iconic Moulin Rouge.
Address: 20 Avenue Rachel, Paris, France
From $ 29
Layou River
Take a whitewater adventure down Dominica's longest river. The Layou River runs down the interior mountains near the Central Forest Reserve, eventually spilling into the ocean just south of Mero Beach. Fueled by abundant rains the river has cut a deep gorge through the landscape, making the Layou River Valley one of the more picturesque parts of the island. River tubing tours take you far up the valley, where you and your fellow river runners can climb into oversize inner tubes for a guided run downriver. You'll make stops along the 1.5-hour trip to swim in the cool, fresh waters and sample local fruits along the way. If you'd like to take a swim in the Layou River without the tubing, you can explore along the river banks just south of St. Joseph.
Practical Info
The Layou River meets the ocean just a south of St. Joseph and Mero Beach. To get here from Roseau it's about a 10-mile drive north along the coast. For river tubing trips on the Layou, book a tour with a reputable guide company and let them make all the arrangements.
Address: Dominica
From $ 79
Les Ombres Restaurant
In the 7th arrondissement of Paris, Les Ombres restaurant is as famous for its view of the Eiffel Tower as it is for its menu designed by chef Jean-François Oyon. Set in a glass and iron-ceilinged atrium on the top floor of the Musee du quai Branly, the restaurant's outdoor patio looks out over the Eiffel Tower and makes for a popular place to enjoy contemporary French cuisine with a fusion twist.
Dishes depend on the season but can include combinations such as warm oysters with sabayon sauce and buttered leeks or escargot in wine sauce. Desserts range from Savarin cake in Limoncello to crispy chocolate fondants.
This destination restaurant is an ideal spot for a late dinner, over which visitors can enjoy seeing the Eiffel Tower light up and glitter gold every hour. Les Ombres is also open for lunch.
Practical Info
On 27 Quai Branly in the 7th Arrondissement, Les Ombres is open from noon until 2 p.m. and from 7 p.m. until midnight daily. The restaurant is a few minutes' walk from Alma-Marceau metro station. Main courses cost between EUR 30 and EUR 50, while prix fixe lunch is EUR 38 and dinner costs EUR 82. Reservations are required.
Address: 27 Quai Branly, Paris, France
Hours: Daily, noon until 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. until midnight.
From $ 232
Manufacture Nationale des Gobelins
Housed in a series of 17th-century buildings on Avenue des Gobelins, the Manufacture Nationale des Gobelins is a government-run tapestry factory and museum dedicated to showcasing the historic art of tapestry weaving and traditional crafts.
Named after the Gobelin dynasty, a family of dyers who shot to fame after discovering a much sought-after scarlet dye in the 15th-century, the district became renowned throughout the 17th-century for producing tapestries under royal patronage of Henri IV and later, Louis XIV. It was Colbert, Louis XIV's minister who first formed the Manufacture Royale des Meubles de la Couronne (Royal Cabinet-Makers), bringing together the tapestry, cabinet and goldsmiths workshops in the area that today is home to the Manufacture Nationale des Gobelins.
Today the historic district is still a working entity, preserving the art form by producing and restoring tapestries from around the world. Although normally closed to visitors, several weekly guided tours allow visitors the chance to peek inside and watch the craftsmen at work. Visitors can learn about the origins and development of the historic crafts; discover how the dyes were found and produced; understand the years of work that goes into producing a single tapestry; and see the 17th-century weaving techniques still in use today. Displays of intricate hand weaving offer an insight into the painstaking process and there are often hands-on workshops available where visitors can try out their tapestry skills on an ancient loom. Also on site is the Galerie des Gobelins, displaying the royal factory collections and hosting a series of temporary exhibitions of ancient and contemporary art.
Named after the Gobelin dynasty, a family of dyers who shot to fame after discovering a much sought-after scarlet dye in the 15th-century, the district became renowned throughout the 17th-century for producing tapestries under royal patronage of Henri IV and later, Louis XIV. It was Colbert, Louis XIV's minister who first formed the Manufacture Royale des Meubles de la Couronne (Royal Cabinet-Makers), bringing together the tapestry, cabinet and goldsmiths workshops in the area that today is home to the Manufacture Nationale des Gobelins.
Today the historic district is still a working entity, preserving the art form by producing and restoring tapestries from around the world. Although normally closed to visitors, several weekly guided tours allow visitors the chance to peek inside and watch the craftsmen at work. Visitors can learn about the origins and development of the historic crafts; discover how the dyes were found and produced; understand the years of work that goes into producing a single tapestry; and see the 17th-century weaving techniques still in use today. Displays of intricate hand weaving offer an insight into the painstaking process and there are often hands-on workshops available where visitors can try out their tapestry skills on an ancient loom. Also on site is the Galerie des Gobelins, displaying the royal factory collections and hosting a series of temporary exhibitions of ancient and contemporary art.
Address: 42 Avenue des Gobelins, Paris 75013, France
From $ 149
Lyon Museum of Contemporary Art (Musee d'art Contemporain de Lyon)
Based in the Cite Internationale district by the river Rhône, Lyon's Museum of Modern Art (Musee d'Art Contemporain de Lyon) showcases contemporary artworks by an international collection of artists. Established in 1984, it also shows work by local emerging artists and focuses on current trends in the art world by aiming to hold temporary exhibitions by artists who create original art for the museum. The artists are given the freedom to experiment within the blank walls that are theirs to claim at MAC. With three enormous floors of space, every temporary exhibition sees a complete transformation of its stage.
The Lyon Museum of Modern Art cares for more than 1,079 pieces of art, which includes works from both its temporary exhibitions and the impressive permanent collection. Housed in a 1930s mansion designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, MAC Lyon also has its own restaurant, the Cafe du Musee, with a terrace overlooking Parc de la Tête, and a well-curated bookstore.
Practical Info
Based on 81 Quai Charles de Gaulle in Lyon's 6th arrondissement, the Museum of Modern Art is accessible via bus C1, C4 or C5, which can be taken to Cite Internationale. Admission costs 6 euros, and the site is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Address: 81 quai Charles de Gaulle, Lyon 69006, France
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 11am-6pm
Admission: Adults: 6 Euro
From $ 29
Laudat
Laudat is a tiny village of about 300 people in the interior of Dominica. Because it sits just at the edge of the boundary of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Laudat is considered the gateway to the park, and it is the jumping off point for many tours and attractions in and around the park, including the boiling lake, Titou Gorge, the Valley of Desolation, Middleham Falls and much more. At 1,200 feet above sea level, Laudat is one of the island's wettest areas, getting about 350 inches of rain per year. It has a cool, misty atmosphere, nestled deep into the Dominican rainforest.
Practical Info
Laudat is only a short drive from the Roseau. The town sits just about six miles northeast of the capital, and to get there costs $30 by taxi, or for $1.75, you can catch the local bus at the Roseau police station"”the ride to Laudat takes about 40 minutes.
Address: Laudat, Dominica
From $ 63
Musee Grevin
Fashioned from the blueprint of London's world-renowned Madame Tussauds, the Musee Grevin (Grevin Museum), Paris's own waxwork museum, has been sculpting famous faces since it was founded back in 1882. Today over 500 waxwork figures"”including politicians, movie stars, and historic icons"”are on display.
The Basics
Pre-booking tickets for the Grevin Museum ensures you get the best price and enjoy skip-the-line access. The museum is free to enter for holders of the Paris Pass and makes a popular stop on hop-on hop-off bus tours of the city.
Things to Know Before You Go
- You must leave large bags and strollers in the free cloakroom.
- The museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The Grevin Museum is located on Boulevard Montmartre in Paris' ninth arrondissement, a 10-minute walk from attractions such as the Palais Garnier opera house and the Galeries Lafayette department store. The closest metro station is Grands Boulevards (lines 8 and 9); car parking is available at Place de la Bourse.
When to Get There
The museum is open daily year-round, but opening hours vary; check the website. It can get busy, especially on summer weekends and during school holidays, so aim for an early morning or weekday visit to avoid the crowds.
Photo Opportunities at the Musee Grevin
Highlights of the wax museum include American film stars like Brad Pitt and George Clooney, political figures like Barack Obama, and singers including Celine Dion, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson, alongside homegrown heroes like French rally driver Sebastien Loeb and legendary screen siren Brigitte Bardot. Other exhibitions include the Hall of Mirrors, a series of historical scenes showing events like the falling of the Berlin Wall, and former French leaders like Charles de Gaulle, Joan of Arc, King Louis XIV, and Napoleon.
Address: 10 boulevard Montmartre, Paris 75009, France
Hours: Mon - Fri: 10am-6pm; Sat & Sun: 9:30am-7pm
Admission: Adults: 22 €
From $ 22
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive took place towards the end of World War I, some 240 km (150 miles) east of Paris in northern France. In late 1918, Allied troops launched a 47-day offensive against the Germans, with more than 1.2 million Americans soldiers taking part, of which 26,000 were killed. Led by General John J Pershing, the US part in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive began on September 26, 1918, with nine American divisions moving through the Argonne Forest to the River Meuse, cutting off German rail communications and helping to trap the Germans on two fronts in northern France and Belgium. By October 11, US forces had penetrated the Hindenburg Line, and on November 1, Germany was in retreat across the entire front. The Armistice was called for 11am on November 11 and World War I was finally over.
The Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery is near Romagne-sous-Montfaucon in the department of Lorraine, and pays tribute to the US troops who died in the last great offensive of World War I. Covering 130.5 acres (52.8 ha), it is the largest US cemetery in Europe and has eight sections swathed in neat rows of white crosses marking the 14,246 US servicemen who are buried there. Opposite a tranquil reflection pool stands a white marble chapel, its flanking walls bearing the names of US soldiers whose bodies were never recovered after the war.
Practical Info
Rue du General Pershing, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon. Open daily 9am"“5pm. Renovations are due to start at the cemetery in mid-September 2015 (mooted to last a year), which will affect only parking and accessibility to the visitor center. The TGV to Meuse from Paris Est leaves five times a day and the journey takes just under an hour; from there it is a 38.5 miles to Romagne-sous-Montfaucon by hire car or taxi. Otherwise the best way to reach Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery from Paris is by organized tour or private car.
Address: Rue du General Pershing, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, France
Hours: Open daily 9am"“5pm
From $ 284
Museum of the Arab World (Institut du Monde Arabe)
Of France's 62 million residents, it's estimated that as many as 7 million of them have Arabic roots. In appreciation of this multiculturalism, France partnered with 22 Arabic nations to found the Museum of the Arab World (Institut du Monde Arabe) in Paris in 1980. Housed within a contemporary building designed by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel, the museum houses a collection of Arabic art, scientific objects, textiles and other items spanning thousands of years.
Spread across four floors, the newly renovated museum's collection includes everything from pre-Islamic ceramics to modern Palestinian art. The building itself is noteworthy, as the intricate latticework on the building's southern exterior was inspired by a traditional Moorish screen.
The museum regularly hosts large temporary exhibitions, with past topics such as contemporary Moroccan art, silks of al-Andalus and hip-hop in the Bronx Arab streets. The museum's Center for Language and Civilization offers Arabic classes for both children and adults.
Practical Info
Before you leave, head up to the ninth floor observation terrace for panoramic views over Paris.
Address: 1 Rue des Fosses Saint-Bernard, Paris 75005, France
Admission: 8€
From $ 92
Musee du Luxembourg
When it was founded in 1750, the Musee du Luxembourg was the first museum to be open to the French public. Back then, it was housed in a wing of the Palais du Luxembourg. Today, it occupies an adjacent, standalone building in the Jardin du Luxembourg. It has no permanent collection, but showcases several temporary exhibitions each year.
The Basics
When the Musee du Luxembourg first opened to the public in 1750, it showcased masterpieces by artists including Rubens, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci. Later, that collection was transferred to the Louvre, and in 1818 the Musee du Luxembourg was reborn as a contemporary art institution. It moved to its current home in the Palais du Luxembourg's former orangery in the late 19th century, and held the first Impressionist art exhibition ever in a national museum. After a long period of closure (1937"“1979), the museum is now one of Paris' leading exhibition spaces. In lieu of a permanent collection, it displays several temporary exhibits each year.
The Musee du Luxembourg can be seen on select hop-on hop-off bus tours. It is also easy to explore independently; a visit is a nice complement to a stroll in the Jardin du Luxembourg.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The museum hosts an outpost of Paris' celebrated Angelina tea room, which is famous for its hot chocolate and signature Mont-Blanc pastry.
- The Musee du Luxembourg is fully accessible for visitors with reduced mobility; free admission for disabled visitors is also offered.
- Audio guides are available via a smartphone app that can be downloaded for a small additional fee.
How to Get There
The Musee du Luxembourg is located on the edge of the Jardin du Luxembourg, in Paris' sixth arrondissement. Take Metro Line 4 to Saint-Sulpice, or ride the RER B to the Gare du Luxembourg. The museum is served by bus routes 58, 84, and 89. It is also easily accessible on foot, by Velib' bike, or by car or taxi.
When to Get There
The museum is open daily, from 10:30am to 7pm, though extended hours are offered Monday and Friday. Note that the Musee du Luxembourg is closed between exhibitions and on Christmas Day.
Address: 19 rue de Vaugirard, Paris, France
Admission: Varies
From $ 68
Lumière Institute (Institut Lumière)
When Lyon brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière created the world's first "cinematographe" in 1895, it sparked the beginning of film. At the Lumière Institute, in the grand family home where the brothers invented the first moving picture, visitors can now learn all about the history of the extraordinary family and get to know the origins of early cinema. You'll see the first moving picture reel, "Sortie d'Usine," and on the ground floor, you can view displays of the brothers' movie players and cameras while learning just how their inventions worked.
Based in the historical Monplaisir district, the family's Art Nouveau mansion is all grand staircases, high ceilings and chandeliers. Equal parts museum, cinema, library, documentation center and old family home, there are two main exhibitions to visit at the institute: "The Pleasure and the Days," dedicated to the family life of the Lumières, and "Gabriel Beyre's World," all about the most famous Lumière cinematographer.
The museum is of special interest to film buffs and Francophiles, meaning it's easy to see why cinema is so ingrained in the French psyche. Naturally, there is also a film theater and regular film screenings at the institute.
Practical Info
On 25 rue du Premier Film, Metro D Monplaisir-Lumière is right next to the Lumière Institute. Admission costs 6.50 euros, and the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. English audio guides are available for 3 euros and may be necessary for non-French speakers, as most of the signs are labeled only in French. Give yourself an hour or two to make your way around the exhibits.
Address: 25 rue du Premier Film, Lyon, France
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 1pm-6:30pm
Admission: 6 Euro
From $ 29
Grand Anse
Grenada's resort central is Grand Anse, where the island's beach hotels, restaurants, equipment hire outlets and bars cluster.
Idyllically set with green hills as a backdrop, the white-sand beach is lapped by turquoise water, and long enough to not feel crowded, no matter what time of day.
There are beach chairs and umbrellas for hire, vendors selling fruit cocktails to sip, calm water for swimming and dive outlets renting snorkel equipment.
The nearby market stalls sell the island's signature spices, and there's a choice of laid-back beach bars selling snacks and drinks.
Idyllically set with green hills as a backdrop, the white-sand beach is lapped by turquoise water, and long enough to not feel crowded, no matter what time of day.
There are beach chairs and umbrellas for hire, vendors selling fruit cocktails to sip, calm water for swimming and dive outlets renting snorkel equipment.
The nearby market stalls sell the island's signature spices, and there's a choice of laid-back beach bars selling snacks and drinks.
Practical Info
Grand Anse beach is on Grand Anse Bay, south of St. George's towards Grenada's southwestern tip. Catch a water taxi from St. George's.
Address: Grenada
From $ 250
Jardin des Plantes
Originally known as the Jardin du Roi, the Jardin des Plantes was founded in 1626, and was used as King Louis XIII's personal herb garden. Today, the expansive botanical garden is the largest and most important in France. It encompasses several gallery spaces, a zoo, numerous garden areas and hothouses, and a working botany school.
The Basics
Located along the Seine in Paris' 5th arrondissement, the Jardin des Plantes is an oasis-like green space that makes for a perfect urban retreat. Covering a total of 69 acres (28 hectares), it's the largest botanical garden in France, and it has been a registered Historic Monument since 1993. The Jardin des Plantes comprises numerous individual gardens that showcase both native French species as well as exotic specimens from around the globe. Additionally, it houses several museum spaces (including the Gallery of Evolution, the Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology, the Gallery of Paleontology, and the Gallery of Botany, and the Children's Gallery), as well as a botanical school and the Menagerie, a zoo.
You can admire the Jardin des Plantes on a river cruise down the Seine; although it's free to enter, guided tours provide detailed insight about what's before you.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Jardin des Plantes is free, although the Menagerie is ticketed separately.
- The garden's collection comprises more than 10,000 plant species, and it's home to one of the oldest and largest herbariums in the world.
- The majority of the garden spaces are wheelchair-accessible; while the Jardin des Plantes doesn't have its own parking spaces, there are lots nearby.
How to Get There
The nearest station to the Jardin des Plantes is the Gare d'Austerlitz, a major transit hub that's served by Metro lines 5 and 10, by the RER C, and by numerous SNCF trains. It can also be reached by the 24, 57, 61, 63, 67, 89, and 91 bus lines. As with the majority of Paris' centrally located attractions, it's also easily accessible by foot, by car, or by Velib'.
When to Get There
The Jardin des Plantes is open daily from 7:30am"“8pm in summer, and from 8am"“5pm in winter. While the majority of its garden spaces are open during that period, some (like the Alpine Garden and the Irises and Perennials Garden) have shorter hours. Depending on your interests, it's worth researching individual opening times in advance of your visit; the garden complex also hosts temporary exhibitions that change throughout the year.
The Menagerie
Having opened in 1694, the Menagerie at the Jardin des Plantes' is one of the world's oldest zoos. Following the French Revolution, the first animals were transferred here from the Palace of Versailles, where they had been kept by French royalty. Today, the Menagerie is still home to thousands of animals, ranging from orangutans and red pandas to snow leopards and crocodiles.
Address: Paris, France
From $ 20
MAMM/Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellin
Medellin, birthplace of Botero, loves modern art. And though the tiny original museum (which still hosts some exhibits) was nice, in 2009 the city decided to remodel the fashionably industrial Talleres Robledo Steel Mill in Ciudad del Rio, near the posh Poblado District, as the new and improved home of the Medellin Museum of Modern Art.
The cement-floored structure offers significantly more space to show off the museum's growing collection, and also holds a small cinema and event space. The new building, however, will soon be augmented by an annex, designed to resemble a challenging game of Jenga. The gift shop is inspired and surprisingly affordable.
The cement-floored structure offers significantly more space to show off the museum's growing collection, and also holds a small cinema and event space. The new building, however, will soon be augmented by an annex, designed to resemble a challenging game of Jenga. The gift shop is inspired and surprisingly affordable.
Address: Ciudad del Rio, Carrera 64B, 51 - 64, Medellin, Colombia
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
Admission: 7,000 pesos (<$4 USD), Children and seniors Free
From $ 95
Maryudo Falls
Located along the Urauchi River in the center of Iriomote Island in Okinawa, Maryudo Falls descends a total of 52 feet (16 meters) over the course of three stages. The falls, the largest by total water volume of all the Okinawa falls, is accessible via a 30-minute walk along a jungle trail, passing the Kanpiuree Waterfall along the way.
The trail leads to a viewing platform, where visitors get an unobstructed view of the waterfalls in their entirety, before continuing on for a close-up, mist-in-your-face view of the cascading water.
Practical Info
The trek to Maryudo Falls begins from Gunkan-iwa Rock, a stop on practically every Urauchi River cruise.
Address: Iriomote, Okinawa, Japan, Japan
From $ 0
Grand Canal
As you exit onto the back terrace of the Palace of Versailles, the breathtaking view of the royal gardens is dominated by the Grand Canal, which leads your eye to the farthest perimeter of the grounds. But although it is a spectacular feature of the park, it was designed and is used today as a practical feature of the gardens.
Constructed over the course of a decade in the late 17th century under the reign of Louis the XIV, its original name "“ Little Venice "“ came from the canal's inaugural gifts from the Doge of Venice: a full set of gondolas, complete with Venetian gondoliers. Also moored there were various ships and yachts built to the scale of the canal and used in elaborate water shows and recreations of famous battles. But the canal is also the main feature of the irrigation systems for the gardens, used to drain off water from the higher elevations and pumped back uphill to re-water them "“ a genius move for its time.
Today the Grand Canal is not only the jewel of the gardens of Versailles, but thanks to row boats for rent, it also provides a unique view of the palace as it has been viewed for centuries. And watching the summertime fountain shows and fireworks reflected in the Grand Canal is a memory that lasts a lifetime!
Address: Versailles, France
From $ 40
Musee de la Legion d'honneur
Steps from the Musee d'Orsay, the Musee de la Legion d'honneur (National Museum of the Legion of Honour) recognizes the history of the Legion of Honor through an impressive display of ceremonial and military medals, royal jewelry, and robes. Dedicated to military leaders from France and abroad, you'll see oil paintings of the likes of Napoleon and Patton. And as you wander the rooms of the Museum of the Legion of Honor, you'll also get see interesting collectibles like ribbons and honor pins from around the world.
Housed in an elegant mansion in St-Germain-des-Pres, at the Musee de la Legion d'honneur you can also see video tributes to the likes of US general and Legion member Dwight Eisenhower.
Practical Info
On 2 Rue de la Legion d'Honneur, the museum is open from 1-6pm Tuesday to Sunday. To get there, take line 12 to Solferino or the RER C to Musee d'Orsay. Entrance is free and includes an English audio guide.
Address: 2 Rue de la Legion d'Honneur, Paris, France
From $ 20
Lyon Opera (Opera National de Lyon)
More than just an events venue, the Opera Nouvel is an architectural achievement. The original arcades of the original 1756 edifice remain, but it is the soaring vaulted roof, glowing in the Lyon night, that offers your first glimpse into its magnificently modern style.
Architect Jean Nouvel, for whom the opera house is named, designed the sleek glass addition to house what has been hailed as France's most interesting stage. Other new amphitheaters were added by digging several underground levels. Performances to satisfy lovers of opera, dance, symphony, and every other sort of music are held throughout the year.
Practical Info
One block east of the Bartholdi Fountain and Place de Terreax, the Opera Nouvel's striking silhouette, arcing with modern magnificence above the neoclassical neighborhood, is hard to miss. To get here, take Metro lines A or C (Hôtel de Ville-Louis Pradel), or buses 1, 3, 6, 18, 19, 40, 44.
Address: Place de la Comedie BP 1219, Lyon, France
Hours: Open year-round
Admission: Prices vary per performance
From $ 29