Choose from 5,104 Fun Things to Do in Niagara Falls & Around
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Eger
Eger is the second largest city in northern Hungary and with a castle, thermal baths, historic buildings and great wine, it makes a perfect day or weekend trip from Budapest. Founded in the 10th century by St. Stephen, the first Christian king of Hungary, the city was destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century and then rebuilt around a new stone fortress in the 14th and 15th centuries. After being ruled by the Turks for almost a century, the city prospered once again as part of the Habsburg Empire during the 18th century. A remnant of Eger’s Turkish rule is the Turkish minaret, which can be climbed for panoramic views of the city.
Among Eger’s most popular sights are its castle, an imposing 19th century basilica, the town’s main square and an 18th century baroque minarite church. The town is also well known for its red and white wines and is the third most visited city in Hungary. Located on the Eger Stream on the hills of Bukk Mountain, many also say it is the most beautiful city in the country.
Practical Info
Eger is an hour and a half by train from Budapest and the Eger train station is located about a mile outside of the city center. Buses also run every 30 minutes to and from Budapest and the trip takes about two hours. The bus station in Eger is close to the basilica.
Address: Eger, Hungary
From $ 315
Efteling
Efteling is the Netherland’s biggest amusement park and offers a fantasy-themed world full of wonderful stories and exciting adventure. The different sections of the park, called realms, are all based on ancient myths, fairy tales and legends and maybe fittingly, Efteling is one of the world’s oldest theme parks. It was built in 1952 and ever since, the designers of the park have made sure to make their creations come to life in a believable fashion. Quality standards are high and cheap building materials, such as plastic or concrete, are avoided. Surrounded by lots of greenery and gardens, the resulting rides, building and creatures are both romantic and grim at the same time and form a stark contrast to other well-known theme parks.
One of the highlights is the wooden ride Joris en de Draak (George and the Dragon), where visitors follow in the footsteps of legendary dragon slayer George and compete with a parallel moving roller coaster for the fastest time. Other rides focused on speed are The Flying Dutchman, Python and Bird Rok. Inside the magical city of Raveleijn, five siblings battle a wicked ruler and his monster in a dizzying performance, on the dream flight visitors can learn about trolls, elves and fauns and then there is the fairytale tree, who tells old fairy tales to children and adults sitting in front of it. At Efteling, the world of fairy tales comes alive with incredible attention to detail and if you don’t want the magical dream to end too soon, the Efteling Hotel with its themed rooms offers accommodations for the night.
Practical Info
Efteling is located in Kaatsheuvel and is accessible from Den Bosch, Tilburg, Antwerp and Breda by bus and train. Efteling has varying opening hours throughout the year, but usually the park opens between 10am and 11am and closes between 6pm and 8pm. During July and August, Efteling is open until midnight every Saturday.
Address: Europalaan 1, Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands
Hours: Hours vary throughout the year. Usually the park opens between 10am and 11am and closes between 6pm and 8pm. During July and August, Efteling opens till midnight every Saturday.
Admission: €38, children under 3 are free
From $ 42
Egyptian Spice Bazaar
Built in the 17th century, the covered Egyptian Spice Bazaar is Istanbul’s fragrant central market for all things flavorful. Piles of pepper, saffron, teas, and dried apricots sit next to shops selling colorful Turkish delight, silk scarves, and glass mosaic lamps. Take time to chat with vendors, sip tea, and haggle for the perfect price.
The Basics
Smaller than the Grand Bazaar but still sprawling, the Egyptian Spice Bazaar is a feast for the senses. Built originally as part of the New Mosque complex, the bazaar is a popular central place to purchase herbs, spices and spice mixes, tea, dried fruit, dried meat, and other delicacies.
Many private and small-group tours of Istanbul combine a visit to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar with stops at the Grand Bazaar and other places in Sultanahmet, including the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Egyptian Spice Bazaar is a must-visit for all first-time visitors to Istanbul, especially foodies.
- Wear comfortable shoes to wander around the bazaar.
- Some vendors accept major credit cards but have some cash on hand.
- Don’t be afraid to haggle—in fact, it’s tradition and expected.
How to Get There
The Egyptian Spice Bazaar is located next to the New Mosque in bustling Eminonu Square, which is a transit hub and easily reachable by many forms of transportation—take a taxi, bus, ferry, or tram to the Eminonu stop. The bazaar is walking distance from key attractions in the historical neighborhood of Sultanahmet and the Grand Bazaar. Eminonu Pier is one of the city’s main ferry piers, making the bazaar and square easily accessible from the Asian side of Istanbul.
When to Get There
The Egyptian Spice Bazaar is open every day from 8am (9:30am on Sundays) to evening, typically around 7:30pm. The Spice Bazaar is popular with locals and visitors alike, so arrive early in the day to beat the crowds.
How to Haggle
Haggling for a better price is expected in the Egyptian Spice Bazaar. Decide in advance what you would like to pay and suggest a price that is lower than that, as the vendor will try to haggle it up. Always be willing to walk away from a purchase. Often the vendor will bring down the price as you are leaving.
Address: Cicek Pasari Sokak, Istanbul 34357, Turkey
Admission: Free
From $ 29
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Hemmed in by the rocky peaks of the Judean Desert to the west and the salty shores of the Dead Sea to the east, the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve is the largest and most beautiful oasis in Israel. A popular spot for hikers, it’s also famous for its biblical importance: This is the place where David hid from King Saul around 1000 BC.
The Basics
Ein Gedi has several well-marked hiking trails traversing its wadis, waterfalls, and desert oases, and guided hikes typically take in landmarks like Dodim’s Cave (Lovers’ Cave), Wadi David, Ein Gedi
Springs, and David Waterfall. Most travelers opt to visit on a day trip from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, often combining a hike at Ein Gedi with a cable-car ride to the mountaintop fortress of Masada and a soak in the Dead Sea.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There is an entrance fee to enter the reserve, and tickets include a map of the park’s hiking trails and attractions.
- Wear comfortable shoes, and bring sunscreen and plenty of water, especially if you plan on hiking; temperatures can reach 100°F (38°C) in the summer months.
- The uneven and often gravelly tracks mean that Ein Gedi is mostly inaccessible to wheelchair users.
- Visitor facilities include restrooms, a kiosk, and a gift shop at the reserve entrance.
How to Get There
The Ein Gedi Nature Reserve is located along Road 90, which runs along the coast of the Dead Sea. To arrive by public transport, take bus 486/487 from Jerusalem or Ein Gedi, or bus 421 from Tel Aviv. The park entrance is at the southeast edge of the park, just off the highway.
When to Get There
An early start is recommended to avoid the midday heat, especially during the summer months (June–August); here is very little shade in the reserve. In winter, the reserve closes early for conservation reasons, so be sure to check the closing times before setting out on an afternoon hike.
Wildlife of Ein Gedi
Covering 6,250 acres (2,529 hectares) and fed by four natural springs—David, Arugot, Shulamit, and Ein Gedi—the park hosts a wealth of tropical flora and native wildlife, with endemic species including Nubian ibex, Syrian hyrax, Afghan fox, and striped hyena, as well as a large population of migratory and resident birds. The reserve is also dotted with archaeological sites, with key attractions including the Chalcolithic Temple of Ein Gedi and a village dating back to the AD first century.
Address: Ein Gedi Reserve, Ezor Yam Hamelah, Israel
From $ 69
Edward VII Park (Parque Eduardo VII)
Named for the English King Edward VII, who visited Lisbon to celebrate the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance in 1903, the largest urban oasis in Lisbon is laid out in a former quarry and adorned with formal box hedges, statuary and ornamental ponds. Parque Eduardo VII stretches 26 hectares uphill between the ornate splendor of Praca do Marquês de Pombal (Marquês de Pombal Square) and a rather brutal monument celebrating the 25th April Revolution in 1974 and designed by João Cutileiro.
Adjacent to the monument is a viewpoint with fine views back across the city, the River Tagus and the hills beyond. An ornately tiled, Baroque-style pavilion smothered in blue-and-white azulejo tiles sits on the western side of the park; opposite are hothouses stuffed with tropical palms, ferns, cacti and rare orchids.
The southeastern end of the park is punctuated by a magnificent monument to the Marquês de Pombal, the prime minister who rebuilt Lisbon after the devastating 1755 earthquake destroyed much of the city. The Praca do Marquês de Pombal leads onto the equally imposing boulevard of Avenida da Liberdade, shaded by trees and lined with monuments, high-end boutiques and hotels.
Practical Info
Located at Baixa, admission to the park is free and it is open daily 9am–5:30pm. Admission to the greenhouses is €3.10. Take the Metro to Parque or Marquês de Pombal.
Address: Av. Sidonio Pais, Lisbon, Portugal
Hours: Daily 9am–5:30pm
From $ 17
El Corte Ingl es
The Lisbon branch of the smart Spanish department store El Corte Inglés occupies a flagship position on one of the city’s busiest and grandest shopping streets. Spread over 12 stories, this glistening high-end shop sells anything and everything from elegant furniture to toys and designer fashion, with brands such as Armani and Prada available alongside expensive Church’s brogues and elegant Gucci watches.
The store is a one-stop shopping destination with its own music and photography departments, pharmacy, electronics and computing sections as well as kitchenware and sports clothing; services offered range from a travel agency to a bicycle repair shop, personal shoppers for those who like to splash their cash and tax-free shopping for non-EU visitors. There’s also a decent (although often crowded) restaurant and a very upmarket delicatessen selling exclusive whiskies and Lisboan specialities such as delicious custardy Pasteis de Belem tarts.
Practical Info
The Lisbon branch of El Corte Inglés is open Mon–Thur 10am–10pm, Fri–Sat 10am–11:30pm, and Sun 10am–8pm. For access via public transportation, take Metro Blue and Red lines to S. Sebastião.
Address: Av. António Augusto de Aguiar 31, Lisbon, Beiras, Portugal
Hours: Mon–Thur 10am–10pm; Fri–Sat 10am–11.30pm; Sun 10am–8pm
From $ 17
Egyptian Obelisk
The Egyptian Obelisk is also known as the Obelisk of Theodosius or the Obelisk of Thutmose III. The Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose III originally ordered the construction of the obelisk in the 15th century B.C. at the temple of Karnak, near present-day Luxor. The Roman Emperor Constantius II transported the obelisk up the Nile River to Alexandria in the year 357 to commemorate his twentieth year in power. It remained there until Byzantine Emperor Theodosius moved it to Istanbul in 390 and erected it what was then known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople.
Built at the same time as the Lateran Obelisk that stands in the Circus Maximus in Rome, the Egyptian Obelisk was made of red granite from Aswan and once stood 30 meters tall. Due to damage to the base during transport, today it stands just under 20 meters high, not including its pedestal. The four sides of the obelisk feature inscriptions celebrating a military victory by Thutmose III in 1450 B.C. and carvings on the marble pedestal date back to 390, when it was re-erected in the Hippodrome.
Built at the same time as the Lateran Obelisk that stands in the Circus Maximus in Rome, the Egyptian Obelisk was made of red granite from Aswan and once stood 30 meters tall. Due to damage to the base during transport, today it stands just under 20 meters high, not including its pedestal. The four sides of the obelisk feature inscriptions celebrating a military victory by Thutmose III in 1450 B.C. and carvings on the marble pedestal date back to 390, when it was re-erected in the Hippodrome.
Practical Information
The Obelisk still stands on the site of the Hippodrome, now known as Sultan Ahmet Square (also At Meydani or Sultan Ahmet Meydani), not far from the Blue Mosque. Get there by taking the tram to the Sultanahmet stop.
Address: Turkey
From $ 52
El Cedral
El Cedral is a village on the southwest side of Cozumel. It is also the site of the island’s oldest Mayan ruins, which date to AD 800. Spanish explorers first discovered El Cedral in 1518, and it became the island’s first official city in 1847. Today it’s home to a small community of quaint houses and farms, as well as an annual festival.
The Basics
Most of the Mayan temple that stood on this site has been torn down, but a small archway remains, and it is enough for you to visualize what daily life may have been like at the time of the Mayan civilization. Visitors can view the ruins, alongside a small church, as well as the village of El Cedral as it stands today. Tours of Cozumel usually include a stop in El Cedral.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There are vendors selling embroidered handicrafts, jewelry, and more in the village.
- Because it’s a small site and takes a short time to visit, there are no tours of El Cedral alone, but the sight is included in broader tours of Cozumel.
- The annual Festival de El Cedral takes place from late April to early May.
How to Get There
El Cedral is located off the Carretera Costera Sur highway between kilometers 17 and 18 in Cozumel. It’s a 30-minute drive from the airport. Some motorcycle and buggy tours of the visit the village. During the annual Festival de El Cedral, buses regularly depart from the parking lot across from Chedraui, near the airport, to accommodate the crowds.
When to Get There
The site is open daily from sunrise to sunset. In late April, you can catch the annual Festival de El Cedral, celebrating local artists, music, and traditions. During the festival, the village is packed with visitors and vendors, and the atmosphere resembles a state fair, with games, rides, and entertainment. Many of the events take place in the afternoon and evening.
El Caracol
Another archaeological site on Cozumel, El Caracol is located within the island’s Punta Sur Eco Beach Park. Snail sculptures used to adorn the dome of the tiny temple, along with rows of actual snails embedded in the stucco; hence the name El Caracol, which means “snail” in Spanish. Tours of Cozumel usually include stops at El Cedral and El Caracol.
Address: Carretera Costera Sur Highway, Cozumel, Mexico
From $ 77
El Escorial
Commissioned by King Felipe II as a testament to Spain's devout Catholic faith, El Escorial was built in the 16th century after the French were defeated in the Battle of Saint Quentin. The highlights of this immense UNESCO World Heritage Site—considered the most important monument of the Spanish Renaissance—include the elegant basilica; the marble Pantheon de los Reyes, where many kings and their relatives are buried; and the Patio de los Reyes, the entrance to the monument. The site is a must-visit for history buffs and architecture lovers.
The Basics
Most visitors explore El Escorial on a group or private full- or half-day tour from Madrid. The famous royal monastery is frequently combined with either a tour of the Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caidos), a trip to the city of Toledo, or a city sightseeing tour of Madrid. Travelers can choose between basic admission, an audio guide, and a guided tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Day trips from Madrid typically last between 5 and 11 hours, depending on the options chosen.
- It’s best to wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven surfaces.
- The basilica is the most wheelchair-accessible site, while the palace has a number of staircases.
How to Get There
If planning to visit both El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen, by far the most convenient option is a guided tour from Madrid, set about 37 miles (60 kilometers) away. Independent travelers can catch a commuter train from Atocha or Chamartin station in Madrid. From the train station, it’s possible to catch a local bus to the monastery. You can also take bus 661 or 664 from Madrid’s Moncloa bus station.
When to Get There
El Escorial is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm from October to March and from 10am to 8pm from April to September. Each August, San Lorenzo de El Escorial hosts festivities to honor their patron saint, San Lorenzo, and the Virgen de Gracia pilgrimage passes through the streets of town in September.
Visiting the Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caidos)
Only 9 miles (15 kilometers) from El Escorial is the Valle de los Caidos (Valley of the Fallen), which is frequently paired with El Escorial tours. This monument was built under dictator Francisco Franco's direction to honor those who had died in the Spanish Civil War. For a moving experience, check out the immense cross atop the mountain and marvel at the mosaics in the basilica, where Franco was laid to rest.
Address: San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain
Hours: Oct - Mar: 10am - 6pm, Apr - Sept: 10am - 8pm
Admission: Adults: €10
From $ 32
El Dorado Wine Region
For over 150 years, this little wine-producing region of the California’s golden hillsides has produced numerous award-winning, critically acclaimed wines. Tucked into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, the El Dorado Wine Region is a prime wine-growing location thanks to its warm days, cool nights, and low alpine air. Home to over 50 wineries producing over 50 different varietals of wine, the El Dorado Wine Region is a popular escape to avoid the intense heat of the desert or the fog of the Bay Area while enjoying the charms of small-town California.
Practical Info
The El Dorado Wine Region is located about an hour and a half drive east of the Bay Area, serviced by Highway 50. Placerville is the main town of the region and most vacations start and end there.
Address: Placerville, Lake Tahoe, USA
From $ 75
El Alamein War Cemetery
El Alamein, situated on the Mediterranean coast around four hours north of Cairo, is the site of where two battles were fought during World War II. The War Cemetery in the town houses the graves of allied soldiers who died during this time, particularly in the Battle of El Alamein of 1942. The cemetery contains over 7000 commonwealth burials from the war, of which 815 are unidentified. There are also more than a hundred war graves belonging to men of other nationalities.
The El Alamein War Cemetery also has an informative museum nearby, which covers the entire story of World War II in this part of the world, as seen from a number of perspectives. The museum serves as a memorial for the battles fought and displays a number of items from the war, including weapons, vehicles, uniforms, and war records.
Practical Info
The El Alamein War Cemetery is located at Marsa Matrouh Road, Markaz, Al Alamein.
Address: Alamein, Egypt
Hours: Open every day from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
From $ 100
Ehrenbreitstein Fortress (Festung Ehrenbreitstein)
Sitting opposite Koblenz on the banks of the Rhine, there has been a castle of some sort at Ehrenbreitstein since the early Middle Ages. Its current form dates from the early 19th century, when it was expanded into Europe’s largest fortress to protect the town on the outer reaches of the Prussian empire.
Today the castle has a more peaceful task: to house the Regional Museum of Koblenz, which is in the casemates and is dedicated to the wines of the region. It also houses an exhibition on Rhineland inventions and commercial successes (which include Audi cars) as well as a small collection of archaeological artifacts excavated from across the region.
A visitor trail through the complex encompasses canons, a multimedia show on the history of the fortress, and peerless view from the viewing platform of the flag tower; it provides the perfect vantage point overlooking Deutsches Eck (German Corner), the country’s premier memorial to reunification.
Practical Info
Festung Ehrenbreitstein is opposite Koblenz on the banks of the River Rhine and is open daily from April through October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from November through March from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is €11.80 for adults, €6.90 for senior and students, and€5.60 for children under 17. The Koblenz cable car travels across the Rhine to the fortress.
Address: Koblenz 56077, Germany
Hours: November to March 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; until 6 p.m. rest of the year
Admission: Adults: €11.80; Children: €5.60
From $ 38
Edinburgh World Heritage Trust
Responsible for protecting, maintaining and promoting Edinburgh’s Old and New town UNESCO world Heritage sites, the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust (EWHT) is one of the city’s principal cultural centers. In 2011, the EWHT moved into the Acheson House, next door to the Museum of Edinburgh in the Old Town and its ground floor is now linked to the museum and a 17th-century style garden courtyard. Built in 1633 for Sir Archibald Acheson, the grand townhouse was restored by the Marquess of Bute in the 1930s and now forms one of a cluster of grade A listed buildings on Canongate, the lower part of the famous Royal Mile.
The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust also organizes city heritage tours and the 2-week Edinburgh Old Town Festival each June, which features dozens of tours, art shows, exhibitions and storytelling events, celebrating the rich history and heritage of the Old Town.
The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust also organizes city heritage tours and the 2-week Edinburgh Old Town Festival each June, which features dozens of tours, art shows, exhibitions and storytelling events, celebrating the rich history and heritage of the Old Town.
Address: 146 Bakehouse Close, Edinburgh EH8 8DD, Scotland
From $ 648
Eiserner Steg
The looming steel peaks of the Eiserner Steg, or the Iron Footbridge, have dominated Frankfurt’s skyline since 1869, a striking homage to the city’s industrial age. The iconic footbridge runs across the Main River, linking the central Römerberg plaza with Sachsenhausen on the south bank. Taking in the views from the Iron Bridge is a favorite pastime of visitors to the city, looking out over the grand villas of the famous Museumsufer (Museum Embankment), which hosts Frankfurt’s colorful Saturday flea market, the passenger boat jetty and the towering skyscrapers that frame the north bank.
The distinctive bridge is engraved with a Greek quote from Homer's Odyssey and has become a popular haunt for lovers in recent years, with couples taking to engraving their names on ‘love padlocks’, before locking the padlocks onto the metal rungs of the bridge.
Address: Frankfurt, Germany
From $ 14
El Cajas National Park
With its rolling lakelands, ancient quinua woods and sprawling cloud forest set against a jagged skyline of rocky peaks, the El Cajas National Park is a natural playground for adventurous travelers. Famous for its array of native wildlife, the park plays host to white-tailed deer, pumas, tapirs, llamas, Andean gulls and Violet-tailed Metaltail, as well as rare species like Andean condor and cougar, and colorful flora like wild orchids and rare bromeliads.
The 29,000-hectare reserve is dotted with some 230 lakes and a vast network of walking trails, making it a prime spot for hiking, fly-fishing, horseback riding and camping. Notable highlights include the Tres Cruces and Avilahuyco viewpoints, Lake Toreadora, the Taitachungo Lagoon and Lagartococha.
Practical Info
El Cajas National Park is located 30km west of Cuenca. Adult admission to the park at the time of writing is $10.
Address: Azuay, Ecuador
Admission: $10
From $ 38
Einstein Museum (Einsteinhaus)
Nobel Prize-wining physicist Albert Einstein (1879–1955) resided in a sandstone-fronted second-floor apartment in Bern between 1903 and 1905 while working at the Federal Institute of Intellectual Property. Although he lived and worked in the city for seven years, 1905 was pivotal to his life as he developed his Theory of Relativity, turning scientific perceptions on their heads and laying down the foundations of modern physics. His modest two-room apartment in the heart of Bern’s UNESCO-listed Old Town (Altstadt) is now a museum showcasing his family life with wife Mileva Marić and son Hans Albert.
To celebrate the centenary of Einstein’s life in Bern, the apartment was restored in 2005 to feature period furniture and décor. The suite of rooms feature original family photographs and permit a sneaking glance into the private life as well as the unorthodox genius of one of the world’s brightest intellectuals. On the third floor of the townhouse is an exhibition celebrating Einstein’s many achievements in physics plus a 20-minute video detailing his life in Switzerland.
Practical Info
Located at Kramgasse 49 in Bern, the site is open daily from February to December 10am to 5pm. Adult admission costs CHF 6, while seniors, students, and children under 18 pay CHF 4.50. The museum can be reached on an easy walk from the railway station in under 10 minutes. Otherwise, take trams 6, 7, 8, or 9, or bus No. 12, to the Zytglogge (Clock Tower).
Address: Kramgasse 49, Bern 3000, Switzerland
Hours: Feb–Dec daily 10am–5pm
Admission: Adults: CHF 6; Seniors, students & children aged under 18: CHF 4.50
From $ 103
Egyptian Museum
From the Royal Mummy Room to a number of glittering galleries showcasing finery extracted from various ancient tombs, there's a ton to see at the Egyptian Museum, also known as the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Getting around to all 107 halls in one trip is tough, so you'll want to choose a few subjects or exhibits that are most important to you.
Although the entire museum is filled with artifacts from as far back as the prehistoric period, the most renowned exhibit is, without a doubt, the collection of treasures once belonging to King Tutankhamun—don't miss the astonishing solid gold death mask. Other highlights include the Amarna Room, devoted to Akhenaten; the Greco-Roman mummies; and the larger-than-life statue of Khafre, considered by many to be the museum's masterpiece.
Practical Info
By metro, get off at Sadat Station and follow signs to the Egyptian Museum. General museum admission costs LE 60 for foreigners, but entrance to the Royal Mummies Room costs LE 100 for foreigners. Entrance to the Centennial Gallery costs an additional LE 10. Exhibit labels are written in both Arabic and English, while audio guides are available in English, French, and Arabic for an additional fee of LE 20. Note that photography is not allowed inside the museum.
Address: Tahrir Square (Midan Tahrir), Cairo, Egypt
Hours: Daily 9am–7pm (open until 5pm during Ramadan)
Admission: LE 60
From $ 10
El Boquerón National Park
With a trio of peaks set around the dramatic volcanic crater of El Boqueron, the wildflower covered slopes of El Boquerón National Park make a scenic hiking spot and at less than 30 minutes drive from San Salvador, it’s a popular choice for a day trip from the capital.
The main highlight of a visit to El Boquerón is the views, which look out over San Salvador and the distant Lake Ilopango and Izalco Volcano, and there are a number of lookout points to choose from. Walking trails run to the summits of El Boquerón, El Jabalí and El Picacho, the highest at 6,430 feet, and it’s also possible to hike down into the crater itself, a 1,600-foot deep caldera, measuring about 5 km in diameter.
Practical Info
El Boquerón National Park is located less than 20 km northwest of San Salvador and is open daily from 8am-5pm. Adult admission costs US $1.
Address: Calle al Parque Nacional El Boqueron, San Salvador, El Salvador
Hours: Daily 8am-5pm
Admission: US $1
From $ 28
Eglise Notre-Dame des Sablons
Aigues-Mortes is about an hour south of Avignon in the heart of the marshy Camargue, a delightful walled town that was fortified in the 13th century by King Louis IX; it is now on the Canal Rhône-Sète although back in medieval times it was a strategic seaport on the Rhône delta. The creamy-stoned Gothic Church of Our Lady of the Sablon stands over the labyrinth of cobbled streets, built in the early years of the 13th century, and it was from here that Louis IX set out on his crusade to the Holy Land in 1248
Notre-Dame-des-Sablons has a turbulent history; starting life as a Catholic church, it was sacked by the Protestants in 1575 and the bell tower then collapsed in 1634, rendering the building unusable for almost a century. It was renovated between 1738 and 1744, and during the French Revolution in the 1790s was used as a barracks and salt depository. It reverted to Catholicism and in 1842 the interior was restored in Baroque style with vaulted ceilings, oil paintings and statuary. In the 1960s, this ornate makeover was reversed and the church today is pleasingly plain inside, its simple stone arches and bare walls giving it an air of medieval tranquility. In the 1990s, 31 startlingly contemporary stained-glass windows were added; they were designed by Claude Viallat and created by master glassmaker Bernard Dhonneur.
Practical Info
Rue Jean-Jaures, Aigues-Mortes. Admission to the church is free and it is open daily 9am-5.30pm. Aigues-Mortes is 84 km (52.5 miles) from Avignon and the road journey takes an hour along the A9.
Address: Rue Jean-Jaures, Aigues-Mortes, France
Hours: Daily 9am-5:30pm
From $ 93
El Chiflón Waterfall
The relatively flat trails, lush countryside, well-kept picnic areas and crystal clear waters of the 100-meter El Chiflon Waterfall offer travelers in search of a city escape a natural wonderland in which to relax and unwind. Visitors can wander pathways to four different levels of El Chiflon—each more impressive than the last—and look out over vast landscapes while listening to the sounds of thundering waters. And while lower level trails prove an easy walk, be advised they do become steeper. Intrepid travelers can zip line past the lower falls, while less adventurous visitors can swim in the cool blue rivers.
Practical Info
The waterfalls of El Chiflon are located about 30 kilometers outside of Comitan de Dominguez and two hours away from Cristobal de las Casas. Both cabs and public buses are available. There are entrances on either side of the river. The falls open at 8 a.m. and camping and grilling facilities are available.
Address: Mexico
From $ 18