Choose from 5,104 Fun Things to Do in Niagara Falls & Around
Alexandria
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Aling-Aling Waterfall
- Adrenaline junkies appreciate the back-to-nature thrills of cliff-jumping around Aling-Aling.
- Don’t forget waterproof sunscreen; even on an overcast day, the Balinese sun is hot.
- As the falls can push you below the water, lifejackets are recommended even for strong swimmers.
- Cliff-jumping is not recommended for children or those with health problems as you have to leap quite some distance to clear the higher falls.
- You can trek through the network of falls without cliff-jumping, but a guide is still recommended.
Alicante Town Hall
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Alcobaça
Just to the left of the church doorway, the Hall of Kings is elaborately decorated with azulejo tiles depicting the history of the monastery up until the 18th century plus a cluster of royal statues in various states of repair. The massive Gothic church at the heart of the complex is an ocher-stone fantasia of flying buttresses, ornate roundels, lacy stone carving and statuary topped with two intricate bell towers.
The long wings that flank the church are much simpler in design, as is its barn-like interior, with unadorned pillars, a plain vaulted roof and bare walls. Simple it may be, but the nave is Portugal’s longest, at 330 feet (100 m). The pair of ornate tombs in the transept belong to King Pedro I and his murdered mistress Ines de Castro; other Portuguese monarchs buried here include kings Alfonso II and III, who are laid to rest in the Chapel of St Bernard, dedicated to the patron saint of the Cistercian order.
Access to the monastery from the church is through the vast three-tiered Cloister of Silence, which is planted with orange trees and contains an ancient fountain that once saw duty as washroom to the monks. It is one of three cloisters surrounded by the monks’ sparse refectory, dormitories and kitchens, which are decorated with traditional blue-and-white tiles.
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Alicante Port
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Alive Museum
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Allianz Parque
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All England Lawn Tennis Club
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Aldwych Theatre
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Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
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Alexanderplatz
Named after the Russian Czar Alexander I, who visited the capital of Prussia in 1805, "Alex" became a traffic hub when a train station was established there in 1882.
Alexanderplatz took on its present form in the 1960’s after being ravaged in World War II. After the war it became the center of East-Berlin and used as a showcase of socialist architecture. This resulted in some unattractive buildings like the former Centrum department store and the Berliner Fernsehturm (TV Tower). In 1969 two more monuments were added to the square, the Weltzeituhr (World Time Clock) by Erich John and the Fountain of International Friendship.
The Fountain of International Friendship is a circular fountain; at its center is a modern structure that consists of a series of basins along which water flows down.
The square was known to be one of the least attractive from an architectural point of view, so the city of Berlin commissioned an architectural competition which was won by Hans Kohlhoff (one of the architects who designed Potsdamer Platz). The plan resulted in a complete redevelopment of the square, as well as the renovation and reconstruction of surrounding buildings.
If you look up, socialist art adorns a number of the buildings surrounding the square, created by artist Walter Womacka.
Alexander Nevsky Lavra Monastery
Founded by Peter the Great in 1710 to commemorate the Russian military leader who stopped the advance of the Germans and Swedes in the 13th century, the Alexander Nevsky Monastery (Александро-Невская лавра) is not just a tribute and final resting place to one of Russia’s great leaders, but home to many of Russia’s historical icons.
Upon entrance through the main gate you will notice the Lazarev and Tikhvin Cemeteries on either side, known together as the Necropolis of Masters of Art (Некрополь мастеров искусств) where the ornate tombs of Leonhard Euler, Mikhail Lomonosov, Nikolay Karamzin, Modest Mussorgsky, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Fyodor Dostoevsky reside.
The monastery also includes 2 baroque churches, the Saint Nicholas Church (Никольская церковь), and the majestic Holy Trinity Cathedral (Троицкий собор), one of the very few churches given permission to carry out sermons during Soviet rule. Even though much of the monastery’s structures have undergone sporadic reconstruction, the baroque style that dominates much of the complex is still intact.
With the revival of the monastery and the liturgical life of the abbey, upon visiting the monastery, you can also see an active revival of handicrafts and art, which always been a trait amongst Orthodox Christians. Once there be sure to look out for Russian paintings, cabinets, jewelry, and even Christian pewter miniatures.
The Alexander Nevsky Monastery is accessible by taking the metro to Ploshchad Alexandra Nevskovo (Площадь Александра Невского).
Alexandrinsky Theatre
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Alexandria National Museum
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Alive Museum Insadong
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Alexander Garden
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Alishan National Scenic Area
Watching the sunrise over the Alishan National Scenic Area feels like being in a dream—thick white clouds cover the valley below and towering mountaintops look like tiny islands in an endless ocean. It’s worth visiting during the day too, with treetop boardwalks, forests, and temples making for incredible photos.
The Basics
A visit to the Alishan National Scenic Area is one of the main attractions of central Taiwan and a popular day trip destination from Chiayi or Taichung. Multi-day tours from Taipei often combine a tour of Alishan with regional sights, such as Sun Moon Lake and Puli.
To make the most of your visit, start early and ride the historic Alishan Forest Railway to Chushan to watch the sunrise. Additional highlights include a hike through the forests to the Sister Ponds and the Sacred Tree, the Giant Tree Plank Trail boardwalk, and the Shoujhen Temple, the area’s largest temple.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There is an admission fee to enter the Alishan National Scenic Area.
- Pack comfortable shoes, warm clothing (it can be chilly up in the mountains even in summer), mosquito repellent, and a raincoat.
- Tickets for the Alishan Forest Train must be booked in advance and can sell out weeks in advance during peak season (July–August).
- Many viewing areas are wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
The Alishan National Scenic Area is in Chiayi County in central Taiwan. Take a high-speed rail train from Taipei to Chiayi. Then, take a bus, taxi, or the famous Alishan Forest Railway (one departure daily) to Fenqihu, where direct buses run to Alishan. From Alishan Train Station, various routes of the Alishan Forest Railway run into the park, including the sunrise train to Chushan (book your tickets the day before (times are announced daily).
When to Get There
It’s possible to visit the Alishan National Scenic Area year-round. Summer (July–August) is the busiest season, when it’s worth booking train tickets, tours, and accommodation well in advance. Autumn (September–November) is a particularly enchanting time to visit, when the multihued trees fill the landscapes with color.
Alishan Tea
Alishan’s misty high-altitude mountains provide the perfect terrain for growing Oolong tea, and the region is home to numerous tea plantations. The tea, which is irrigated using pure mountain spring water and harvested by hand, is renowned for its sweet, floral flavor and being rich in antioxidants. Alishan Tea is sold worldwide, and many teahouses and restaurants in the Alishan area can offer you a freshly brewed cup to sample.
Alfama
- Wear comfortable shoes, as steep sidewalks and cobblestone lanes are the norm in the Alfama district.
- Getting around Alfama can be tricky for wheelchair users, so it’s best to book a taxi or join a tour.