Things to Do in Kelowna & Okanagan Valley

Since so much time on Bonaire is spent enjoying the water and sand, it’s nice to escape to the hills for a minute and get a view of the island. At Seru Largu, or “Large Hill,” visitors are met with a sweeping view of the island’s western shoreline, where the small island of Klein Bonaire hovers just off the turquoise coast. Wild goats, and sometimes iguanas, are visible up on the hill, as is the massive monument with its signature, yellow and white cross. Since Bonaire’s landscape is dusty and dry, the view looks out over fields of cactus and sand running out to the coast, and is one of the island’s best places to watch the sunset or stars come out. Every year on New Years Eve, island locals gather up here to watch the clusters of fireworks, and at any time of year it’s a highlight of taking a small group tour of the island.

Not far from the center of Helsinki, Seurasaari Island is an open-air museum of the Finnish traditional way of life. It has 87 buildings, 18th and 19th century traditional houses, manors and outbuildings from around Finland. Guides dressed in traditional costume demonstrate crafts such as spinning, embroidery and troll-making. Shops sell old fashioned treats, and folk-dancing performances are scheduled frequently during the summer. On Midsummer Eve a huge bonfire kicks off the celebrations, and a real wedding takes place in the Karuna Church.

The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum opened in the 1909, when it was only accessible by boat. It's been popular with locals and visitors ever since. On summer nights there are regularly scheduled concerts in Karuna Church. The buildings are closed during the winter, but the park is open for cross-country skiing and invigorating walks.

Grand Cayman’s resort central is Seven Mile Beach, dubbed one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches.

The Caymans’ most developed stretch of sand is lined with luxury resorts and up-market condominiums, white coral sand and palm trees. There are artificial reefs offshore for snorkeling.

It’s a public beach, so don’t feel shy about strolling past those resorts. Some of the resort restaurants are open to the public, and there are beach bars for a seafront drink or two.

Not to be confused with the island of South Seymour, more commonly referred to as Baltra (the location of the main Galapagos airport, as well as a military base), North Seymour is a small island that is flat and uplifted, unlike many of its volcanic neighbors. The most intriguing aspect of North Seymour for visitors is the renowned Blue-footed Boobies that inhabit the island. While walking along the visitor’s pathway, one can often catch the famous courtship dance of the boobies, along with incredible frigate birds, swallow-tail gulls, and other Galapagos birds. Watch along the coastline for marine iguanas and playful sea lions as well. Also be sure to take notice of the spectacular black-and-white lava rocks that surround the coast.

If you’re traveling to the Galapagos to dive, be sure not to miss the wonderful opportunities that Seymour has to offer. Keep your eyes open for Hammerheads, sea lions, the pacific green sea turtle, garden eels, and hundreds of beautifully colored tropical fish.

The Sharjah Aquarium is a vast aquarium sprawled across two levels. It’s home to a huge variety of underwater species native to the waters around the UAE. Here you can discover everything from the largest marine life to the smallest of ocean creatures, all without getting your feet wet.

With over 250 species and a number of lagoon, coral reef, and mangrove habitats recreated, there’s certainly plenty to see here. From tiny tropical fish, jellyfish, and seahorses, to the moray eels, eagle rays, and reef sharks, it’s wise to dedicate a good amount of time to wander around and take it all in.