Choose from 5,104 Fun Things to Do in Monterey & Carmel
ShowingFilter 1701-1720 of 5104 listings.
Hon Mieu Island
Around a half-hour boat ride from Cau Da Port in Nha Trang is the small island of Hon Mieu. Much of the island won’t be of particular interest to the average tourist, although there are a few pleasant beaches plus a sprinkling of seafood restaurants close to where the ferries come in.
The main attraction on Hon Mieu however is the Tri Nguyen Aquarium, a unique boat-shaped building that, along with its surrounding waters, houses a large variety of fish and other marine life, including giant shrimp, sharks, and turtles. Visitors can even climb to the ‘top deck’ to check out the views.
Practical Info
Hon Mieu is located around five kilometers southeast of Nha Trang, with regular ferries running from the dock at Cau Da to the island throughout the day. Hon Mieu is also included within most island-hopping tours of the area.
Address: Hon Mieu Island, Nha Trang, South Vietnam, Vietnam
Hours: Tri Nguyen Aquarium: 7:30am to 5pm
From $ 25
Holy Trinity Column
Standing 15 meters tall in the heart of Trinity Square in Buda’s castle district is the Holy Trinity Column. Made of limestone and erected near the beginning of the 18th century, the column was built to celebrate the end of the plague in Budapest while also memorializing the victims and, the residents hoped, protecting them from another plague. The sculpture at the top of the column represents the Holy Trinity and includes a prayer written in Latin. Just below the Holy Trinity sculpture is a long pillar decorated with statues of small angels and larger statues of six saints. The pedestal includes reliefs on three sides, depicting three different scenes: King David praying to God to end the plague, the plague with the Buda Castle in the background and the construction of the Holy Trinity Memorial. It also features the Hungarian crest.
The Holy Trinity Column is the oldest Baroque sculpture in Budapest and is a popular meeting spot for tours of the castle district or the Buda side of the city in general.
Practical Info
The Holy Trinity Column stands in Trinity Square on the Buda side of Budapest, not far from Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion. To get there, take bus 10 to the Szentharomsag ter stop.
Address: Szentháromság square, Budapest, Hungary
From $ 23
Honeymoon Beach
Honeymoon Beach is both convenient and out-of-the-way, a good choice for those who want to avoid the crowds at spots like Trunk Bay, but still appreciate a few on-site amenities. The beach is accessible by trails and serves as an area for watersports enthusiasts. Travelers can grab a kayak for a paddle up the coast before diving in to snorkel alongside the tropical fish that school around the rocks.
Practical Info
Honeymoon Beach is on the Lind Point Trail and can be reached via hike from the town in Cruz Bay. It's also just south of the Caneel Bay Resort, where visitors can park for a fee and take a shorter trail. It can get crowded during mid-day, when sailing tours stop here for a beach break.
Address: North Shore Rd., just before the Caneel Bay Resort, Cruz Bay, St. John 00831, US Virgin Islands
From $ 49
Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland’s blend of Chinese culture and classic Disney separates it from its sister parks throughout the world. Explore Hong Kong’s largest theme park to discover rides, shows, and restaurants that bring famous Disney characters to life to life, including Mickey Mouse, Frozen’s Elsa, and more.
The Basics
Hong Kong Disney’s seven themed areas offer a range of attractions to suit the whole family. Stroll through Main Street USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Toy Story Land, Grizzly Gulch, and Mystic Point to discover classic Disneyland favorites, as well as more recent additions. Thrill seekers can get their kicks on rides like Hyperspace Mountain or the RC Racer, while little ones can enjoy the park’s carousels, play areas, and parades.
Skip the long lines at Hong Kong’s biggest theme park with advanced booking available online, or for more an even more seamless experience, opt for a package that includes transportation by ferry, boat, or train. Combine your visit with other regional highlights, such as Macau, known as the Las Vegas of Asia, or Ocean Park, another Hong Kong theme park. A number of tours offer efficient multi-day excursions.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Disneyland Hong Kong is a must for theme-park enthusiasts and Disney fans.
- Don’t forget your comfy shoes and sunscreen, as Hong Kong can be very hot and the park is very big.
- Booking tickets beforehand can help to avoid long entry lines.
- Hong Kong Disneyland aims to be disability-friendly, and the majority of its facilities and attractions are fully accessible.
- The park also provides inductive loops, tactile maps, and a shuttle service for guests with disabilities.
How to Get There
Located on Lantau Island, Hong Kong Disneyland has its own MTR station, with direct and frequent services from Sunny Bay station. As with all major cities, driving can be time consuming, and parking isn’t cheap. Take advantage of tours offering round-trip transportation to avoid the hassle.
When to Get There
The park is open year round, but be aware that between May and October, Hong Kong is significantly hot, humid, and stormy. Winter tends to bring more temperate weather, along with Halloween- and Christmas-themed entertainment.
Ocean Park
A friendly rivalry exists between Hong Kong’s two largest theme parks, with some professing Ocean Park’s thrill-seeking superiority, while others attest to Hong Kong Disneyland’s family-friendly advantage. If you find yourself with a spare day in HK, why not take the opportunity to experience both and make up your own mind.
Address: China
From $ 22
Holy Trinity Church
With a history dating back more than 1,000 years and a serene setting on the banks of the River Avon, the Holy Trinity Church has long been renowned as one of England’s most beautiful and most visited parish churches. An architectural highlight of Stratford-upon-Avon, the Grade I listed church dates in part from the 13th century and is celebrated for its fine Clopton Chapel, Victorian stained glass windows and series of 26 ornately decorated misericords, as well as a first edition 1611 King James Bible on display.
The lavish interiors are impressive enough, but for most visitors the main draw to the Holy Trinity is its connection with William Shakespeare. The iconic playwright was famously born in Stratford-upon-Avon and was both christened and buried at the church. Visitors can view Shakespeare’s Grave for a small fee, as well as the graves of Anne Hathaway, Dr John Hall and his wife Susanna, and Thomas Nash.
Practical Info
Holy Trinity Church is located on the banks of the River Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon and is open Mon-Sat from 9.00am – 5.00pm and Sun 12.30pm – 5.00pm. Entrance to the church is free, but donations of £2 are required to visit Shakespeare's grave.
Address: Holy Trinity Church Parish office, Old Town, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6BG, England
Hours: Mon-Sat: 9.00am – 5.00pm, Sun: 12.30pm – 5.00pm.
Admission: Free; donations of £2 to visit Shakespeare’s grave.
From $ 19
Holmenkollen Ski Jump
Holmenkollen is an Oslo landmark hill north-west of the city center; there has been a ski jump here since 1892 but the present-day ‘S’-shaped jump at Kongeveien was constructed in 2010. The jump is 394 ft (120 m) long and it is 197 ft (60 m) high and it’s one of Norway’s best-loved visitor attractions.
There’s plenty of year-round outdoor and indoor action at Holmenkollen: climb the 250 steps to the viewing platform for vistas across the scenic Nordmarka protected wilderness; visit the world’s oldest ski museum at the foot of the jump; or grab a zip line to whizz 1,180 ft (360 m) down the length of the ski jump – a ride for real adrenaline junkies with a firm head for heights. Somewhat more enjoyable is the simulator ride that gives a bird’s-eye experience of ski-ing down the ski jump.
In winter Holmenkollen hosts the World Cup Nordic skiing events and is the springboard for Nordic or downhill ski-ing and skating in Nordmarka, which by summer it is hiking and cycling central, with locals pouring out of the city at weekends to get back to nature among the tranquil forests and lakes.
Practical Info
The ski jump is open throughout the year with varying hours depending on the season. Admission costs 120 NOK for adults and 60 NOK for youth under the age of 18. To reach the site, take metro 1 to Holmenkollen.
Address: Kongeveien 5, 0787, Oslo, Norway
Hours: June - August: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
May and September: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
October - April: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Adults 120 NOK, Children 60 NOK
From $ 34
Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
Experience the quiet country estate, also known as Springfield and overlooking the Hudson River, that Franklin D. Roosevelt called home. FDR’s wife Eleanor said the stately two-story Federal-style estate with gaudy green shutters had a “healing quality” for the President, and, still surrounded by 300 acres of wooded lots, it retains a peaceful atmosphere today. More modest than the Vanderbilt Estate just up the street, the home is filled with memories of the only US President to serve more than two terms and who led the US out of the Great Depression and until World War II. The site is both Roosevelt’s birthplace and final resting place—he was born in an upstairs bedroom and is buried alongside Eleanor and his favorite pet, a Scottish terrier named Fala, in the garden.
Everyone can wander the grounds via self-guided audio tours, but to glimpse the home’s wood-paneled early 19th century (mostly original) interior finery, you’ll need to buy a ticket and join a ranger-guided tour starting from the Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center. There, a looped 22-minute film shares some of the estate’s history. The tour winds past collections of paintings in the Entrance Hall to the Living Room and Library where FDR entertained notable nationals and foreign dignitaries, the Music Room, and several bedrooms. Top Cottage, a Dutch Colonial-style structure separate from the house built just for FDR as a retreat, is also open to visitors.
Also nearby and included in the price of admission, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, the first US Presidential Library, can be visited by self guided tour.
Practical Info
The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site is located at 114 Estates Lane in Hyde Park, New York, about 90 miles north of New York City and six miles north of Poughkeepsie. The "Roosevelt Ride," a free shuttle service from Poughkeepsie Metro-North Station to several area historic sites, operates daily between May and October and requires advance reservations.
The grounds are free and open daily from sunrise to sunset. Tours of the house last about an hour and run between 9am and 5pm. Several departure times are offered daily, though times change seasonally and can sell out in the summer high season. Admission costs $18 and is valid for two days. A ranger-led tour of the surrounding grounds via FDR’s Farm Lane Tour is available for an additional $10.
Address: 4097 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, New York 12538, USA
Hours: The grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Admission: Admission costs $18 and is valid for two days.
From $ 73
Hong Kong Cruise Port
A former British colony, Hong Kong today is international and cosmopolitan, with diverse influences from China, Britain and beyond. While it is technically part of China, it really operates as its own country, with its own currency, laws and border controls. Vibrant, innovative and ever-changing, it is also one of the busiest deep water harbors in Asia and a prime shopping destination.
How to Get to Hong Kong
Cruise ships dock at the Ocean Terminal in Victoria Harbor, located on the southwestern edge of the Kowloon Peninsula. When you disembark there, you’ll be within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants and many major attractions, as well as the city’s underground transit system.
One Day in Hong Kong
With only one day in Hong Kong, you could easily spend most of your time on the Kowloon Peninsula. However, to see a bit more, start by taking the Star Ferry over to Hong Kong Island. There, take the Peak Tram funicular railway up to Victoria Peak to enjoy 360 degree views around Hong Kong. Spend some time along the walking trails that encircle the peak and then make your way back to Kowloon.
Your next stop should be the Hong Kong Museum of History, where you can spend a couple hours perusing innovative exhibits that offer a good look into Hong Kong’s fascinating past. Other museums of interest include the International Hobby and Toy Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Dialogue in the Dark – a unique exhibition that requires you to explore using your non-visual senses in complete darkness.
Grab lunch and then it’s time to hit one of Hong Kong’s famous markets - the Ladies’ Market on Tung Chi Street, offering clothing, traditional souvenirs and sometimes tacky tchotchkes. From there, you might head to the Tsim Sha Tsui area for more shopping mixed in with colonial buildings and modern high-rises. Or, make your way to the Temple Street Night Market to enjoy a variety of entertaining street performers.
How to Get to Hong Kong
Cruise ships dock at the Ocean Terminal in Victoria Harbor, located on the southwestern edge of the Kowloon Peninsula. When you disembark there, you’ll be within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants and many major attractions, as well as the city’s underground transit system.
One Day in Hong Kong
With only one day in Hong Kong, you could easily spend most of your time on the Kowloon Peninsula. However, to see a bit more, start by taking the Star Ferry over to Hong Kong Island. There, take the Peak Tram funicular railway up to Victoria Peak to enjoy 360 degree views around Hong Kong. Spend some time along the walking trails that encircle the peak and then make your way back to Kowloon.
Your next stop should be the Hong Kong Museum of History, where you can spend a couple hours perusing innovative exhibits that offer a good look into Hong Kong’s fascinating past. Other museums of interest include the International Hobby and Toy Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Dialogue in the Dark – a unique exhibition that requires you to explore using your non-visual senses in complete darkness.
Grab lunch and then it’s time to hit one of Hong Kong’s famous markets - the Ladies’ Market on Tung Chi Street, offering clothing, traditional souvenirs and sometimes tacky tchotchkes. From there, you might head to the Tsim Sha Tsui area for more shopping mixed in with colonial buildings and modern high-rises. Or, make your way to the Temple Street Night Market to enjoy a variety of entertaining street performers.
Port Information
Both Cantonese and English are official languages in Hong Kong and most workers in the tourism industry speak at least some English. The official currency is the Hong Kong dollar. ATMs are available throughout the city and credit cards are generally accepted as well. Arriving at the Ocean Terminal, you will immediately have access to ATMs, wi-fi and even Starbucks.
Address: China
From $ 64
Honeymoon Beach
Set offshore from St Thomas on a tiny isle known as Water Island, Honeymoon Beach is a peaceful cove characterized by a long, soft stretch of sand that curves against the sea, framed by palm trees and lush greenery. A popular swimming and snorkeling spot, Honeymoon Beach provides a respite from busy Charlotte Amalie and serves as a good alternative to St Thomas' popular Magens Bay. Travelers will find restaurants, bars and bathrooms set conveniently adjacent to the beach, which is accessible via trails.
Practical Info
Ferries from St Thomas to Water Island leave multiple times per day—nearly every daytime hour from Monday to Saturday. Departing St Thomas from Crown Bay, these ferries only take 10 minutes. Round-trip tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children. Once on Water Island, it's a 10- to 15-minute walk uphill to reach Honeymoon Beach from the ferry.
Address: Water Island, St Thomas, US Virgin Islands
From $ 139
Homomonument
As the name might suggest, the Homomonument, located in the center of Amsterdam, pays homage to the struggles of gay men and women fighting for equity and freedom. The memorial, which includes three large pink granite triangles, was opened in 1987 and is the first in the world to honor gays and lesbians who lost their lives at the hands of Nazis. In 2011, another such monument was erected in Barcelona that was modeled after the famous Homomonument.
Travelers looking to explore the history and culture of Amsterdam may want to include a visit to this iconic destination en route to the Anne Frank museum. Travelers say that while it’s easy to miss, the pink triangle monument recognizing some 600,000 who died during the Holocaust.
Practical Info
The Homomonument is located on the bank of the Keizersgracht canal near Westerkerk church.
Address: Westermarkt, Amsterdam, Netherlands
From $ 521
Home Army Museum (Muzeum Armii Krajowej)
Opened in 2000 in a handsome, red-brick former Austrian barrack dating from 1911, the Home Army Museum is a vital stop for anyone interested in Poland's role in World War II. The museum chronicles the story of the Polish Underground Movement and its armed resistance through to its official disbanding in 1945. While it operated, the Home Army was the most effective underground organization in occupied Europe and contributed significantly to the Allied war effort.
Among nearly 20,000 artifacts on display—mostly donated from veteran resistance fighters or their families and including propaganda posters, weapons, uniforms, memorabilia and documents—the museum displays an enormous collection of personal testaments, graphic images, documentaries and live war footage shot during WWII, all exhibited with the aid of innovative multimedia and interactive displays.
Entrance to the Home Army Museum is free with a Krakow museum and transport pass, which includes unlimited public transportation and admission to the city's top museums.
Practical Info
The Home Army Museum is located a 10-minute walk northeast from Krakow's Old Town at Wita Stwosza 12. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 6pm, and is closed Monday.
Admission costs 11 PLN for adults; 6 PLN for students and seniors; and is free on Sunday. Visitors holding a Krakow Museum and Transport Official Pass are guaranteed free entry.
Address: Wita Stwosza 12, Krakow, Poland
Hours: Tue–Sun: 11am–6pm; Closed Mon
From $ 29
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island once housed the area’s original British settlement, and nowadays, it’s home to some of the city’s most popular attractions. Highlights include Victoria Peak and its tram, the Central Mid-Levels escalator, Aberdeen, Deep Water Bay, picturesque Repulse Bay, and Stanley Market. The Central and Causeway Bay areas of the island are prime destinations for shopping, eating, and sightseeing. Away from Victoria Harbour is a surprising amount of greenery in the island’s mountainous interior, as well as a beguiling coastline dotted with fishing villages, coves, and harbors.
The Basics
Just about everyone who spends time in Hong Kong will find themselves on Hong Kong Island at one point or another. City tours, including hop-on hop-off bus tours, always make stops on the island, and the iconic Star Ferry passes between the island and Kowloon on the mainland. Catch the island’s highlights on a full- or half-day tour, or base yourself on the island to explore at a more leisurely pace, and know that the twin skylines of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon are best appreciated from a cruise around Victoria Harbour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Hong Kong Island is a must-visit for every type of traveler, especially first-time visitors to Hong Kong.
- Wear comfortable shoes and prepare to do a fair bit of walking.
- Don’t forget an umbrella, as weather can be unpredictable in Hong Kong.
How to Get There
Central Station, a major transportation hub in the city, is situated on Hong Kong Island, giving travelers a wealth of options for how to arrive. The Hong Kong Airport Express train takes passengers from the airport to the island in under 30 minutes, and numerous buses, trams, ferries, and metro lines make stops all over the island. Riding the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour from Kowloon is a quintessential Hong Kong experience for first-time visitors.
When to Get There
One of the best times to visit Hong Kong Island is between October and December, when room rates are reasonable and temperatures are comfortable. The summer months (June to September) are both the hottest and the wettest, with temperatures around 80°F (27°C). If you choose to visit just after New Year’s or during a Chinese holiday, expect Hong Kong hotel rates to jump.
Panoramic Views on Hong Kong Island
Some of the city’s best views and observation platforms can be found on Hong Kong Island. Victoria Peak’s Sky Terrace, the most popular by far, affords 360-degree views of the city’s sea of skyscrapers, while the International Finance Centre (IFC) building ranks as the tallest on the island and houses a free 55th-floor viewing platform that looks across the harbor to Kowloon. Another free option is the 46th-floor lobby inside Central Plaza in Wan Chai.
Address: Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong, China
Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free
From $ 13
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibit Centre
Built in 1988 (with new additions built in the mid-1990s), the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibit Centre is a hub for both business and entertainment. Comprised of two convention halls, five exhibition centers, two theaters, seven restaurants and fifty-two meeting rooms, the centre plays host to some 50 international trade fairs each year.
Travelers lucky enough to visit during one of the massive trade fairs will get an up-close look at the seamless service the Convention and Exhibit Centre is known for worldwide. But those who come in a quiet time of year can still explore the building’s impressive architecture, venture into the picturesque harbor and sample delicious local cuisine from one of the convention centre’s well-known restaurants.
Practical Info
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibit Centre is located at 1 Expo Drive in Wan Chai, Hong Kong near Victoria Harbour. It is accessible via bus using the Wan Chai Convention Centre Bus Terminal.
Address: 1 Expo Dr, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, China
From $ 53
Hon Chong
Along the mountainous coastline north of Nha Trang, Hon Chong (Husband Rock) is made up of huge rock formations piled on top of each other that run from the land down into the sea.
The views are what people come here for, with a fantastic landscape of rocks, beach, ocean, and neighboring islands to feast your eyes on. Around 300 meters south of Hon Chong lies
the tiny Hon Do (Red Island), which features its own Buddhist temple. To the northeast is Hon Rua (Tortoise Island), so called because of its tortoise shape, while the two islands of Hon Yen (Bird’s Nest Island) lie out to the east.
As the area is not particularly large and won’t take long to see, many visitors combine a trip here with a visit to the Po Nagar Cham Towers, which are around a five-minute taxi ride away.
Practical Info
Hon Chong is around a 10-minute drive north of Nha Trang along the coast. It can be easily reached by taxi or motorbike. There’s a coffee shop close by to stop for a drink while taking in the views.
Address: Vĩnh Phước, Nha Trang, South Vietnam, Vietnam
Admission: VND 22,000
From $ 38
Holy Island
Holy Island is located in Lamlash Bay off the Isle of Arran on Scotland's western coast. The island has a spiritual heritage dating back to the 6th century. Today there is the Centre for World Peace and Health on the north end of the island which has ongoing retreat programs and courses. The center welcomes overnight guests. There is also a closed Buddhist retreat on the south end of the island. There is also a hermit cave from a 6th-century monk and evidence of a 13th-century Christian monastery.
Some visitors come to Holy Island to learn about meditation, yoga, tai chi, cooking, gardening, and other forms of relaxation. Others come here to enjoy the unspoiled natural scenery as an escape from their every day lives. Parts of the island are divided into natural reserves. Some areas are for birds and animals, while others are set aside for a native tree planting program. Visitors are asked to stay on the pathways.
Practical Info
The closest airport to Holy Island is Glasgow. From there you can take a train to Ardrossan Harbor, the ferry to Arran, a bus to Lamlash, and then the ferry to Holy Island.
Address: Scotland
From $ 51
Hong Kong Global Geopark
If you’ve ever tried to imagine what Hong Kong looked like before the glass and concrete jungle, a visit to Hong Kong Global Geopark will give you a pretty good idea. Located in the New Territories, the park encompasses the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region and the Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region.
Within Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region, visitors can explore volcanic rock formations on High Island, beautiful beaches on Sharp Island and a variety of abrasion rock formations throughout the Ung Kong and Ninepin island groups.
The Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region is home to the indented shorelines and bays of Double Haven, crescent-shaped Tung Ping Chau (Hong Kong’s easternmost and geologically newest island), the red sandstone formations of Port Island and Bluff Head, and the Tolo Channel, where you’ll find the oldest rock formations in Hong Kong.
Practical Info
The best way to explore the geological attractions of Hong Kong Global Geopark is by taking a boat trip or hiking tour.
Address: Hong Kong, China
From $ 33
Holocaust Memorial Center
Skopje's three-story Holocaust Memorial Center stands in remembrance of more than 7,000 Jews from Macedonia that were killed in the Holocaust and the overall history of Jews in the Balkans. Set in what was once the Jewish Quarter of Skopje, the museum was opened in March 2011, coinciding with the 68th anniversary of the deportation of Macedonian Jews to the Treblinka concentration camp.
Travelers will enter the Star of David-shaped building to see a somber variety of displays featuring maps, videos, photos and English language wall texts, all designed to commemorate the Jewish culture of Macedonia that was nearly lost. The moving exhibits trace the history of the country's Jewish community, starting from their expulsion from the Iberian Peninsula and move to the Balkans through World War II, when a devastating 98% of Macedonian Jews were killed in the Holocaust.
Practical Info
The Holocaust Memorial Center is located on the Old Town side of the Vardar River, behind the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and next to the Church of St Demetrius. It is an easy walk from most central Skopje hotels, just over the Stone Bridge from Macedonia Square.
Address: Iljo Vojvoda, Skopje, Macedonia
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
From $ 16
Holy Trinity Cathedral (Tsminda Sameba)
The towering Holy Trinity Cathedral is the tallest church in all of Tbilisi and recognized as a symbol of ”New Georgia”. Its golden dome rises out of the hillside of St. Ilya and is visible from almost any point in the city. The stunning structure is part of a massive complex that includes a monastery, theology school, hotel and nine chapels (including five that are underground).
Long considered one of the highlights of any tour of Tbilisi, Holy Trinity Cathedral was built to coincide with the 2000th anniversary of Christianity and the 1,500th anniversary of the Georgian church’s independence. The cathedral’s interior proves as impressive as its exterior and travelers say it is worth visiting twice—once to see in the daylight, and once to see as the sun sets in the hills that surround it.
Practical Info
The church is located on the left bank of the Kura River in Tbilisi. It is within walking distance of the Avlabari Metro Station.
Address: Tbilisi, Georgia
From $ 35
Hong Islands
The Hong Islands are a group of rocky blips in the Andaman Sea, located just off the coast of Krabi in southern Thailand. A popular day trip destination from Ao Nang or Krabi, the islands are fringed with rain forests, hidden lagoons, and white-sand beaches.
The Basics
The Hong Islands are rife with secluded beaches, coral reefs, and sea caves to explore. There’s something for every type of outdoor enthusiast—Railay is popular with rock climbers, Koh Hong's Hong Lagoon is a calm place to kayak, and Phang Nga Bay has scenic views and great sunbathing.
Longtail boat or speedboat tours are a good way to visit the islands and typically depart from Krabi or Phuket. Some excursions include snorkeling or kayaking, and often feature stops at Khao Phing Kan, Ao Nang Beach, Phi Phi Island, and Lading Island.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Some of the islands are located within Ao Phang Nga National Park, so fees may apply. Be sure to have cash on hand as most tours don’t include the national park fee.
- The sea can be choppy, so those prone to seasickness should prepare ahead of time—especially if you’re traveling by longtail boat.
- Because of the bumpy waters, most boat operators won’t serve pregnant women or children under 1 year old.
How to Get There
The Hong Islands are located about 15.5 miles (25 kilometers) southwest of Ao Nang. Organized tour boats and sea kayaks leave for the islands from Ao Nang’s ferry dock, as well as from Krabi town.
When to Get There
The tropical coast of southern Thailand is warm year-round, but April through May and September through October are the hottest and rainiest periods. November through March is a great time to visit, as breezes keep the temperature warm but comfortable.
James Bond Island
Khao Phing Kan and Ko Ta Pu, two towering limestone karst islands, are collectively known as James Bond Island thanks to their appearance in the 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun. These islands served as the setting for an enemy hideout and later became part of the National Park. While you can still visit Khao Phing Kan, it’s now forbidden for boats to approach Ko Ta Pu due to threat of erosion.
Address: Highway 4203, Ao Nang 81000, Thailand
Admission: Free
From $ 7
Hon Mun Island
This stunning island is located in close proximity to the hot-sea currents that rise from the equator. As a result, it’s home to incredible underwater coral reefs that attract topical fish, sea turtles and other rare and beautiful marine life. The warm waters that draw diverse wildlife also bring researchers, oceanographers and snorkelers to the shores of Hon Mun Island.
It’s possible to explore the waters from the safety and comfort of a glass bottom boat, but travelers say that dipping below the surface and getting up close with local wildlife is the best way to truly experience the beauty of Hon Mun. Almost every dive shop in the vicinity offers trips to the crystal clear waters of Hon Mun, where visibility is almost always ideal. Rainbow Reef and Tiger Wall are two of the most popular dive sites near Hon Mun Island.
Practical Info
The island is located in a marine protected area on the southern part of Nha Trang Bay in the Khanh Hoa Province.
Address: Vietnam
From $ 35