Things to Do in Kelowna & Okanagan Valley

Pedro St. James Historic Site is a living heritage museum, re-creating life on Grand Cayman in the 18th century. An impressive three-story building of stone and wood, Pedro St. James was built by an English plantation farmer in the late 18th century. Known locally as ‘the castle,' today the restored house is furnished with period details and surrounded by landscaped grounds.

A visit to the great house includes a multi-sensory 3D presentation outlining the history of Pedro St. James and the Cayman Islands.

Quite literally meaning walkway of the princess, Paseo de la Princesa does indeed have enough romance and beauty fit for royalty. A perfect spot to enjoy the Old World charms of San Juan – strolling through this romantic 19th century avenue is perhaps one of San Juan’s most romantic escapes – and yet it’s located just outside the city walls. Lined with antique street lamps, shade trees, and fruit cart vendors – walking the Paseo de la Princesa embues a leisurely sense of ancient romance and serene beauty. With the impressive Old San Juan fortifications towering above you and the glistening San Juan Bay on your left, the Paseo de la Princesa stands a good chance of being your favorite simple escape while in San Juan.

Every day, thousands of Hindu pilgrims from around the globe make their way to Pashupatinath Temple to worship the god Shiva. The temple sits on the banks of the Bagmati River just outside of Kathmandu and is not just architecturally beautiful, it’s also one of the oldest and most important Shaivite temples in the world.

The complex dates back to around 400 AD, but the current temple was rebuilt during the 17th century. According to local legends, the site of the temple was where the god Shiva hid from the rest of the gods by taking the form of an antelope. When the gods caught him, they broke off one of his horns which fell to the ground on the spot where the temple currently stands. While non-Hindus aren’t always allowed inside the main temple, those who do enter can see another phallic symbol of Shiva worshiped within.

A visit to Pashupatinath may also present the opportunity to witness a fascination -- though certainly somber -- cultural ceremony. Many Hindus bring their dead to be cremated on the steps leading down to the river just outside the temple. Often you’ll see the covered bodies paraded through the temple grounds, past hordes of monkeys and sadhus, toward the river.

Built in 1777 under commission of Catherine the Great and featuring the works of architects like Charles Cameron, Jacomo Quarengi and Carlo Rossi, the stately Pavlovsk Palace was a gift from the Empress to her son, the future Emperor Paul I, to mark the birth of her first grandson. A magnificent neoclassical complex set in an idyllic 1,500-acre estate, the palace is surrounded by landscaped parks and woodlands, and served as the summer residence for the Emperor and his wife, Maria Feodorovna, until his untimely death in 1801.

The country’s finest example of Italian baroque architecture can be seen at the Pazaislis Monastery and church in Kaunas, the largest monastery complex in Lithuania.

Built in 1662 by the order of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, four Italian architects designed the church and monastery, while sculptors of Lombardy completed the frescos and plaster casts.

Converted to an Orthodox church by the Russians in 1832, the church was also used as an archive, a psychiatric hospital and an art gallery in its time before being returned to the Catholic order in the 1990s and reconstructed to its former glory.

Every year, the Pazaislis Monastery plays hosts to an international music festival. If you visit during the summer months, you won’t be able to miss it.

Located just across the Bagmati River from Kathmandu sits Patan, one of Nepal’s largest cities, and with a rich tradition of local art and handicrafts, it’s a must-see for shoppers. Like Kathmandu, Patan has its own Durbar Square, a central plaza surrounded by an array of temples and palace buildings. While you’re wandering the square, don’t miss the excellent collection at the museum housed within one of the ancient palace buildings, as well as the stone temple dedicated to the god Krishna that dates back to 1647.

While the dozens of other temples scattered throughout Patan are well worth visiting, the main draw here is the shopping. Many notable local artists hail from Patan, and the city’s shops are known for their metal and carved wood handicrafts in particular. You can also buy traditional Tibetan paintings, called Thanka and books from a couple shops that carry an English language selection.

If you find yourself turned off by the chaos and crowds of Thamel in nearby Kathmandu, consider basing yourself in Patan instead. You’ll find a handful of budget to mid-range lodging options as well as dozens of cafes and restaurants to choose from.