Things to Do in Niagara Falls & Around

Just north of the Old San Juan district, within the San Juan National Historic Site, lies Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a 16th-century citadel, or fortress.

It is a World Heritage-listed site on the northwestern tip of the islet of San Juan – a perfect spot to keep watch over the Atlantic Ocean and protect Old San Juan and the Bay of San Juan from incoming enemies. Its more recent history includes the American military, which occupied the site from 1898 to 1961.

The citadel, surrounded like it is by an expansive green lawn and the dramatic rocky coast, sits on quite a beautiful spot; the imposing fortress walls create an interesting contrast to the sparkling blue sea. When the wind blows, the lawn that connects the citadel to the town is a popular kite-flying spot.

The baroque twin-towered Lima Cathedral (Catedral de Lima) dominates the city's central Plaza de Armas with an elaborate exterior. Constructed in the 1530s but the victim of earthquake damage over the years, much of what is standing today dates back to 1746 when the site underwent a rebuilding program.

In 1775, the Dutch author Richard Twiss remarked that Castletown House “is the only house in Ireland to which the term palace can be applied.” Though not to detract from the country’s other standouts, it’s indeed true that the Castletown House is a piece of architectural wonder. Situated in County Kildare about 30 minutes west of Dublin, this palatial, Palladian-style mansion was constructed during the 1720s for William Connolly—who, in addition to being the Speaker of the Irish House of Commons, was also the wealthiest Irish commoner of the time. It was Ireland’s first and largest Palladian-style home—an architectural style inherited from the grandeur of Renaissance-era Italy. On a guided tour of the historic home, stroll beneath towering Ionic columns that connect the adjacent wings, and peruse the artifacts of one of Ireland’s most political and military families. When finished exploring the regal interior, enjoy a peaceful riverside walk on the sprawling grounds of the estate—which occupy 550 acres of pristine Irish countryside. 

One of Aix-en-Provence’s oldest and most impressive works of architecture, the exquisite Cathédrale Saint Sauveur, or Cathedral of the Holy Saviour, towers over the city’s Vieil Aix (the Old Town). Although dating back to the 5th century, the cathedral has amassed a number of restorations and additions over the years, resulting in an eclectic mix of architectural styles. Exploring the cathedral is like taking a tour through the ages, with Romanesque, Gothic, Neo-Gothic and Baroque elements woven seamlessly together in a unique collage of French architecture.

A listed historical monument of France, the cathedral features a richly carved Romanesque portal on its south side and an elaborate 15th-century Gothic portal on the north, including striking door carvings by Jean Guiramand, topped with a 14th-century bell tower. Highlights of the interiors include three distinctly styled naves, a 12th-century cloister, a 5th century polygonal Merovingian baptistery and an 18th-century gilt Baroque organ. Most famous is the iconic triptych 'Mary in the Burning Bush', a 15th century masterpiece painted by Nicholas Froment under commission of King René of Anjou and displayed over the altar.

Completed in 1811 and standing at an impressive 203 feet tall (62 meters), St Petersburg's Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan exhibits Russian classical architecture, having replaced a wooden church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The cathedral took 10 years to construct and today encircles a small square with a double row of beautiful columns, while the interior is adorned with the works of some of the country's greatest artists and sculptors, such as I.P. Prokofyev and F.G. Gordeev, with reliefs on the facade by I.P. Martos, S.S. Pimenov and I.P. Martos.

Saint Lucia’s pint-sized port capital Castries is usually experienced as a stopping-off point on the way to one of the island’s beaches or resorts. While successive fires and hurricanes have periodically devastated the city there are still traces of the colonial era, when Saint Lucia bounced between French and British control. The Castries Heritage Walk will point out the city’s historical highlights.

Otherwise the city’s greatest appeal lies in its relaxed lifestyle, providing an easy introduction to the leisurely pace of island life. Head for the Jeremie Street Market to savor the taste of the tropics or just wander the streets and start adjusting your body clock.