Things to Do in Kelowna & Okanagan Valley

Spearheading the rejuvenation of the once derelict Willemdok harbor area, MAS (which translates as ‘Museum on the River’) opened in 2011 to great acclaim – as much for its stellar architecture as its thoughtful, well-curated exhibitions paying homage to the city of Antwerp, its history and culture. Sitting just north of the city center on a dock commissioned by Napoleon in 1811, the museum was designed by Dutch architects Neutelings Riedijk and towers 60 m (197 ft) above the harbor. It is comprised of layers of bright-red sandstone bricks held together with glass and steel; the five themed floors of interactive and entertaining displays make use of nearly half a million artifacts – including anything from Old Master paintings to model boats, newsreel, penny farthings, model ships and personal accounts on video – to showcase Antwerp’s development into one of Europe’s largest ports, a diamond capital and a multiracial center of learning and culture. On the ninth and top floor an outdoor terrace gives views stretching over the city to the River Scheldt, where the Antwerp story began. Unusually for a museum, MAS also has the double-Michelin-starred restaurant ‘t Zilte, presided over by chef Viki Geunes. Outside is the MAS Boulevard, with a couple of small temporary exhibition galleries and pretty views over the bobbing boats in the harbor.

The majestic Grandes Écuries (Great Stables) at Château de Chantilly were designed by French architect Jean Aubert in 1719 for the eccentric horse lover Prince Louis-Henri de Bourbon. They are a masterpiece of neo-classical architecture and are still the largest stables in Europe, with stalls for 250 horses as well as kenneling for dogs. The stables have a circular manège (riding school) where equestrian shows are held daily and are also home to the revamped Musée Vivant du Cheval (Living Museum of the Horse), which re-opened in 2013 and is one of the few museums in the world dedicated entirely to horses. Displays examine the historical relationship between man and horse through times of war and peace and are crammed with equine portraits and sculptures, gaily painted carriages, carousel horses and racing trophies – but the highlight of any visit is the chance to get up close and personal with several rare breeds of horses and ponies.

Preserving the identity of the indigenous cultures of the Americas and, in particular, those that populated the island of Puerto Rico before the Spanish invasion, the Museo de las Americas is a small but powerful museum that not only serves to enlighten, but also to entertain. While wandering the halls here, you’ll find that some exhibits tell the history of the Native Americans, while others display folk art from contemporary artists of the island. Most of these exhibits are available for sale, while other pieces of art serve only for appraisal and admiration. See what originally made Puerto Rico the desirable island it is today with a trip down history lane with the Museo de las Americas.

Among Bogota’s most popular and spectacular attractions, the Museo del Oro sparkles with more than 55,000 priceless archaeological and artistic treasures. Only a fraction can be displayed at any one time within the main edifice, itself a work of art, ensconced in elegantly and eloquently designed displays of Colombia’s dazzling bounty.

There are four floors of exhibits, signed in both Spanish and English, with audio guides available in a handful of other languages. From delicate filigree nose rings to carefully crafted containers for coca leaves to the famed “Muisca Raft,” depicting the legend of El Dorado, the “Golden Man,” these objects have been innovatively arranged to tell tales of pre-Colombian mining, manufacturing and metallurgy, as well as offer insight into the daily life, society, war and worship of these ancient Colombians.

The grand finale is the Offering Room, less an exhibit than light-and-sound show designed to recreate the experience of a shamanic religious ceremony, using tens of thousands of golden artifacts. The gift shop is also worth a wander as you exit the building.

Of course, all that glitters in Colombia is not gold, which is why you could consider crossing Santander Park to the Emerald Museum, actually a private collection of some 3000 Colombian emeralds. Views from the 23rd story of the Avianca Building are spectacular, but you must have picture ID to enter.

Begin in Botero Plaza, the statue studded central park that fronts Medellin’s most popular museum. The plump proportions of these enormous pieces by Colombia’s best beloved artist, Francisco Botero, are instantly recognizable, and attract snap happy parents posing their children all over the thickly proportioned works of art.

The entire top floor of the Museo de Antioquia is also dedicated to Botero, and includes some of his most controversial pieces, depicting bull fights in all their gore and glory, and the “Death of Pablo Escobar,” a well known painting that marks the end of an era that this city must someday come to terms with.

Other excellent exhibitions include a solid collection of modern art, by both international and Colombian masters. A gallery of Independence-era oils, surrounded by period pieces, includes one of the nation’s most famous paintings, Francisco Antonio Cano’s “Horizontes,” portraying settlers—new parents—setting of to conquer the Colombian frontier. A display of prints and advertisements from the same period are a testament to this nation’s reputation for business savvy.

The gift shop is outrageous, and a reasonably priced cafe overlooking Plaza Botero is one of the most pleasant spots in the city center for a coffee or adult beverage. The fancifully striped gothic masterpiece across the plaza, by the way, is the Palacio de Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe, completed in 1937 thanks to the quirky genius of Belgian architect Agustin Goovaerts.

Colonial relics, maps and Antillean art come together at the Kura Hulanda Museum, with the focus on the museum’s world-class collection of African artifacts. This well-regarded anthropological museum focuses on the cultures that have contributed to Curacao’s make-up over the centuries, including African slaves, West African empires and Pre-Columbian traders.

Guided and audio-guided tours are available, and a self-guided map helps you navigate your way around the exhibits. The museum shop has a good collection of maps, postcards, CDs and African art for sale.

Located on the vibrant street of Spaccanapoli, which cuts through the heart of Naples’ centro storico, the ethereal Cappella Sansevero had its origins in the tail end of the 16th century, when it was the mausoleum of the patrician Di Sangro dynasty. The name translates into English as the ‘alchemist’s chapel’ and it was extended by the eccentric Raimondo di Sangro, the seventh Prince of Sansevero, who lived between 1710 and 1771; he was an extraordinarily gifted man but as a Mason, he was considered by contemporary Neapolitans to have made a pact with the devil. Clad in ghostly white marble, with a multi-colored marble floor and ceiling frescoes of almost frenzied ornateness by Francesco Maria Russo, the chapel is stuffed with works by some of the greatest names on the 18th-century Naples art scene – among its treasures are Giuseppe Sanmartino’s amazingly realistic sculpture Cristo Velato (The Veiled Christ). The crypt below the chapel contains the macabre remains of Raimondo di Sangro’s experiments with anatomy – skeletons crawling with arteries and veins – and Masonic symbols cover the walls.

In a region where passengers are typically greeted by towering skyscrapers and cold, modern architecture, Muscat’s scenic coast, with its historic buildings and far-off mountain ranges, offers travelers a taste of old-world Arabia. This conservative port is close to vast deserts, ornate mosques, traditional fishing villages and bustling open-air markets, making it a perfect stop for travelers looking to explore well-preserved tradition.

How to Get to Muscat

Free shuttles take travelers from berth to the port’s exit gate. Visitors can hire a taxi to town, or take the steep climb on foot. Old city center, which is closest to the waterfront, is easily walkable.

One Day in Muscat

Groups of travelers can hire a guide and a car for a reasonable rate and explore the desert or the mountains of Muscat on popular private safaris. Those traveling alone should stick closer to port, where there’s still plenty to do and it’s easier to stretch a dollar.

Start exploring the city at Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which is open to non-Muslims between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The marble halls and beautifully kept gardens make it a regular stop for most tours. Next, visit Muttrah Corniche, near the harbor’s edge. This bustling promenade is a popular gathering place for locals and its lively cafes and tasty restaurants offer plenty of opportunity for people watching. Round out the day by heading inland to Nizwa, where ancient Portuguese forts offer tourists some of the best mountain views in Muscat.

Located on the northern tip of Spree Island, Berlin’s Museumsinsel (Museum Island) is an ensemble of five world-renowned museums. In 1830, King Friedrich Wilhelm III commissioned the construction of the Royal Museum - now the Altes Museum - to allow the general public to view the royal art treasures of Germany. The idea for the island was devised in 1841, when Friedrich August Stuler wanted to create a cultural center, which later became Museum Island.

Almost 70% of the buildings were destroyed during World War II, where the collections were divided between East and West Berlin. Since 1999, the museum has been the only architectural and cultural ensemble that was honored world heritage status by UNESCO.

If you can only visit one museum, The Pergamon, completed in 1930, is your best bet. This collection of museums house the Collection of Classical antiques occupying the architectural halls and sculpture wing, the Middle Eastern Museum and Museum of Islamic Art. You will also find classical sculpture and monumental architecture from Greece, Rome and Babylon.

The Bode Museum, formerly the Kaiser-Friedrich Museum added in 1904, houses an extensive collection of sculptures from the Museum of Byzantine Art as well as a coin collection.

The Altes Museum is one of the most important works of Neoclassical architecture. Its Pantheon-inspired rotunda is the focal point of the prized Antiquities Collection of Greek, Roman and Etruscan art and sculpture.

The New Museum (Neues Museum), completed in 1859, is a showcase for prehistoric and Egyptian treasures. It was reopened in 2009 after being in ruins for ten years. Its most valued piece is the bust of Nefertiti.

The Old National Gallery (Alte Nationalgalerie), completed in 1876, features works of Classicism, Romanticism, the Biedermeier era, Impressionism and early Modernism.

Renovation continues across all museums.