Things to Do in Riviera Maya & The Yucatan

The striking edifice presiding over Paris' 5th arrondissement Latin Quarter, the historic La Sorbonne is renowned as one of the first European centers of higher education, housing the prestigious Collège de Sorbonne since its founding in 1257 by Robert de Sorbon.

It’s the building itself that garners the most attention, a sprawling campus rebuilt in 1653 by Cardinal de Richelieu to the designs of architect Jacques Lemercier. A blend of Baroque and Renaissance styles replaced the original medieval structure, but the last remaining building from this period is the iconic domed Romanesque Chapelle de la Sorbonne (the Chapel of La Sorbonne), where the sculpted tomb of Cardinal de Richelieu is housed. A wander through the Sorbonne courtyard and café-lined plaza offers views of the amphitheaters, library and observatory (which was reconstructed by Henri Paul Nénot in the late 19th-century), showcasing a picturesque variety of architectural styles.

Today, the building houses four divisions of the prestigious University of Paris -- the Pantheon-Sorbonne University, the Sorbonne Nouvelle University, the Paris-Sorbonne University and the Paris Descartes University -- as well as the extensive Sorbonne Library, and is open to the public only through pre-book guided tours.

Used for growing grape vines since at least the 11th century (and probably as far back as Roman times), this 18-mile, 2,050-acre stretch of terraced vine-rows across the Swiss canton of Vaud is one of the world’s most remarkable examples of human interaction with a natural landscape. The southern-facing terraces, which maintain a mild climate within a country known for its spectacular winters, are famed for producing the Chasselas grape, which make a full, dry and fruity white wine that fueled the local economy for centuries.

While the Swiss wine industry doesn’t rival that of its neighbors in Italy and France, this area has remained in continuous, productive use, and its historic buildings, footpaths and vines have been well maintained and preserved. While there is clear evidence that the vines were cultivated by Benedictine and Cistercian monks, traces of Roman settlements here and in nearby Lausanne, a city which historically owes some of its wealth to the Lavaux wine industry, has led many to believe that ancient Romans also used the terraces for growing wine grapes.

The Lau Pa Sat Market in the busy business district is great place to go to enjoy some local food and take in the history of a building that is well older than many of the mega-structures that surround it. Built in the 19th century, the Victorian structure is basically a glorified food court, but with tons of great and inexpensive options.

The cast-iron structure housing the Lau Pa Sat Market has an old-time feel as the food is served from small vendors in a large dining hall made of small tables. Luckily, it is located walking distance from the Marina Bay between Raffles Quay and Robinson Road, making it ideal for a snack at almost any time.

Among the food selection is satay, soups, loads of fish, including sting ray, curry dishes and barbeque pork buns—a taste of several regional dishes infused with Singaporean tastes.

The National Studio for Contemporary Arts located in the Lille suburbia acts as both a teaching establishment and a museum; its goal being to give northern France residents and visitors easy access to the arts of all forms (cinema, photography, applied arts, musique, living arts, etc.) in a state-of-the-art building. Its genesis is to integrate audiovisual techniques to its productions, making Le Fresnoy an exclusive place for locals to experiment with various practices – the museum creates over 50 pieces every year. In a nutshell, Le Fresnoy is kind of like “dance studio meets movie set”; every movement, every pain stroke is subject to technological embellishments. Because of its unique mission, the museum has welcomed several world-class art exhibitions over the years, and continues to be acclaimed by other museums around the world. The museum also houses a cinema and regular exhibitions aimed at children.

Guatemala’s second largest lake, a sparkling expanse at the heart of the hot, humid Petén Basin, was one of the earliest cradles of Mesoamerican civilization. The lush rainforests at its fringe are home to at least 27 archaeological sites, in addition to Flores, capital of Petén Department. Once known as Nojpetén (City Island) by the Itza Mayans, Flores was also their regional capital, and was the last Mayan city to fall to the Spanish, in 1697.

You’re probably staying on the island, a great base for enjoying the lake. Head to the north shore for a walk on the malecón, or jump in for a swim with the locals. The west side boasts lakefront restaurants and bars where you can watch the sunset. Hire a cayuco (small, motorized boats) to other attractions overlooking the water, including ruins, Petencito Zoo, Cerro Cahuí Nature Reserve, “El Museo,” a small archaeological museum, and other towns along the lakeshore.